NFL analyst Mina Kimes picked rookie QB Drake Maye as 2025 MVP for leading Patriots to AFC East title with elite stats and growth despite limited talent.

NFL analyst Mina Kimes voted for Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye as the 2025 MVP, citing his 77.2 QBR, 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and leadership in guiding New England to a 14-3 record and its first AFC East title since 2019 despite limited receiving talent. She argued Maye’s impact, efficiency, and development made him more deserving than Matthew Stafford, who led the league with 46 touchdowns but played with elite weapons. While Stafford remains the frontrunner, Kimes’ choice highlights a growing debate over whether the MVP should reward sustained excellence or transformative performance by a rising star. The award was set to be announced on February 5, 2026.