Shocking Controversial Vote That Helped Matthew Stafford Win NFL MVP Has Fans Furious
Matthew Stafford’s late-career resurgence reached a historic peak Thursday night, but his 2025 NFL MVP win is already one of the most debated in recent league history.
The former Detroit Lions quarterback, now leading the Los Angeles Rams, narrowly defeated New England Patriots rookie Drake Maye for the NFL’s top individual honor. Stafford finished with 366 total MVP points, edging Maye by just five points.
That slim margin immediately sparked controversy across the NFL.
Razor-Thin MVP Race Raises Questions
On the surface, the vote appeared to be a tight two-man race between Stafford and Maye. However, the final voting breakdown revealed surprising results.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen received two first-place votes, while Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert earned one first-place vote, despite not being named an official MVP finalist.
Those unexpected ballots proved influential in determining the final outcome and fueled debate about how MVP voting should be handled.
PFF Analyst Defends His Controversial MVP Vote
Pro Football Focus analyst Sam Monson later confirmed he cast the lone first-place vote for Herbert and explained his reasoning on social media platform X.
“The guy had the worst offensive line in the NFL all season and despite that he was working miracles in almost every single game,” Monson said.
“Stafford’s OL became two-fifths as bad as Herbert’s for five minutes, and he became a turnover howitzer. He embodied ‘value.’”
Monson clarified that he still ranked Stafford second and Maye third on his ballot, meaning his vote alone did not flip the final MVP result. Still, critics argue that voting for non-finalists skewed what should have been a direct contest between Stafford and Maye.
Dave Portnoy Slams MVP Decision
The backlash intensified when Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy weighed in on the debate.
“Imagine thinking you outsmarted every other human who watched football,” Portnoy wrote.
“Only cost Maye the MVP. Luckily, we play for Lombardi’s in New England.”
Portnoy’s comments reflected a growing belief among fans and analysts that Maye lost the award due to voting philosophy rather than pure on-field performance.
What Matthew Stafford’s MVP Means to Lions Fans
For Detroit Lions fans, the moment is bittersweet.
Stafford, who spent 12 seasons with the Lions as the former No. 1 overall pick, has now won both a Super Bowl and an NFL MVP Award since leaving Detroit.
While the circumstances remain controversial, Stafford’s 2025 season was undeniably elite and cements his legacy as one of the most impressive late-career comeback stories in NFL history.
Final Verdict
Fair or flawed, the votes are official.
Matthew Stafford is the 2025 NFL MVP, but the controversy surrounding the final tally ensures this decision will be debated for years to come.
