Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, after one of the most dominant seasons we've seen, isn't considered the NFL's best quarterback. In ESPN's recent top 10 ranking, based on a poll of league personnel, Stafford landed at third. Can you believe that? He's behind Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, despite putting up numbers that scream pure greatness.
They Really Put Josh Allen and Pat Mahomes Ahead of the MVP?
Look, Stafford absolutely balled out last season. He earned a monster 17% of first-place votes in this poll, which is no joke, but still wasn't enough to get him to the top spot. The guy threw 46 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions, a statistical feat only achieved three other times in NFL history by legends like Aaron Rodgers (twice) and Tom Brady. An NFL head coach even said, straight up, "Nobody played better than him last year, and it wasn't even close." How do you argue with that? Stafford has completely flipped the script in his five seasons with the Rams, going from a "talented but doesn’t win and makes too many mistakes" guy to a top-five lock. He led them to the playoffs in four of those five seasons, including that MVP run last year. So, yeah, this third-place ranking feels a little off. So who are these two guys ahead of him? Josh Allen jumped from second to first. A GM called him "the most singularly unstoppable player at the position when you get his A-game," also pointing out that Allen has "cut down on the turnovers the past two seasons." Okay, fair enough, Allen is a beast. But then there's Patrick Mahomes at second. This is where it gets wild. Mahomes tore his ACL and is just looking to be ready for Week 1. Last season was rough for him, with a career-worst 62.7 percent completion rate. His Chiefs went 6-8 in his 14 starts. He hasn't even thrown more than 27 touchdowns since 2022! An NFL quarterbacks coach still says Mahomes "puts fear in people like no other quarterback," giving his team "a shot in every game." That's high praise, sure, but second-best after *that* kind of year?The Rams Are Primed for a Deep Run
Honestly, being ranked in the top three means Stafford is practically interchangeable with number one. The respect is there, even if the title isn't. This ranking just gives Stafford more fuel. He's proven he can deliver an MVP season, and with him at the helm, the Rams are looking scary good. They're well-positioned to go all the way and win the Super Bowl title this season. Keep your eyes peeled, because if the league isn't ready for Stafford at number one, they're definitely not ready for what the Rams are about to unleash.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.