Buffalo, New York – The upcoming NFL season brings mixed feelings for Josh Allen as he looks to defend his title as MVP, a feat accomplished by Aaron Rodgers in 2021. Allen, who recently captured his first MVP award, is now facing a tough landscape. According to Sports Illustrated senior reporter Albert Breer, repeating this achievement in 2025 might prove challenging, especially with strong contenders like Joe Burrow emerging as a frontrunner.
Burrow made a case for the MVP award in the previous season even though the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t reach the playoffs. He led the league with impressive stats, throwing for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns, all while dealing with the NFL’s 30th-ranked run game and 25th-ranked defense. Breer remarked that Burrow’s performance was remarkable given the circumstances he faced, including injuries and contract disputes among his receivers.
On the flip side, Allen had his own impressive year, leading the second-ranked scoring offense despite a few setbacks with his wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. He became the first player in NFL history to reach at least 40 touchdowns for five consecutive seasons. The Bills also made headlines as the first team to score 30 touchdowns both in the air and on the ground in the same regular season.
Despite Allen’s strong performance, the expectations for him moving forward remain high. Breer acknowledged that the Bills added Joshua Palmer to their roster to fill in gaps from previous departures, but the team still seems to lack a top-tier wide receiver. This could affect Allen’s MVP chances if he’s unable to replicate his supporting cast’s success from last season.
The Bills excelled last year, even defeating the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions in the regular season, giving Allen a strong background for the MVP discussion. Looking ahead, if he can lead the Bills to another solid season with thirteen wins, he’ll definitely be in the conversation for a repeat MVP award, no matter how Burrow and the Bengals season unfolds. As each team prepares for the upcoming season, it will be interesting to see how these quarterbacks face off as they strive for individual and team success.
