The Premier Madden League has reached the heart of the season, and with playoff pictures beginning to form, the MVP race is heating up. Every year, the award sparks debates across the league: is it about wins, raw stats, or carrying a team on your back? This season’s crop of MVP contenders blends all three. From record-breaking passing campaigns to dominant rushing seasons, the field is as competitive as ever.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 MVP candidates, their impact on their teams, and projected 17-game averages to give context to how their numbers could stack up by the season’s end.
1. Bo Nix (QB, 7-4 Record)
- Stats: 4,393 pass yards, 36 TDs, 8 INTs, 72% completion
- Rushing: 46 carries, 302 yards, 1 TD
Bo Nix has been nothing short of electrifying this season. The former Oregon star has become the engine of his offense, and his precision passing has elevated his team into legitimate playoff contention. Completing passes at a remarkable 72% clip, he’s combining efficiency with explosive playmaking.
- Projected 17-Game Averages: 6,787 yards, 55 TDs, 12 INTs, 468 rush yards
These are MVP-caliber numbers that rival the best passing seasons in league history.
Where Nix separates himself is how much he’s carried his 7-4 squad. Unlike some candidates with more dominant records, his team isn’t unbeatable — but without him, they’d likely be on the outside looking in. If he pushes them into the postseason, voters will have a hard time overlooking his sheer production.
2. Saquon Barkley (RB, 10-0 Record)
- Stats: 171 rush attempts, 1,581 yards, 23 rush TDs
- Receiving: 33 catches, 673 yards, 7 TDs
In a quarterback-heavy MVP era, Saquon Barkley is rewriting the narrative. His season so far has been jaw-dropping, with over 2,200 total yards and 30 touchdowns in just 10 games. He’s averaging 9.2 yards per carry, making every touch a potential home run.
- Projected 17-Game Averages: 2,687 rush yards, 39 rush TDs, 56 catches, 1,142 receiving yards, 12 rec TDs
That’s 51 total touchdowns and nearly 3,800 yards from scrimmage.
Barkley is the centerpiece of an undefeated team, and unlike many RB MVP campaigns of the past, he’s not just volume-heavy — he’s historically efficient. If he maintains anywhere near this pace, it will be difficult for voters to deny him, even with the quarterback dominance around him.
3. Caleb Williams (QB, 6-4 Record)
- Stats: 3,934 pass yards, 40 TDs, 17 INTs, 69% completion
- Rushing: 39 carries, 155 yards, 9 TDs
Caleb Williams might be the most dynamic dual-threat in the league this season. With 49 total touchdowns in 10 games, he’s generating offense at an elite level. The downside? Turnovers. His 17 interceptions stand out like a sore thumb compared to Trevor Lawrence’s 2.
- Projected 17-Game Averages: 6,687 pass yards, 68 pass TDs, 29 INTs, 15 rush TDs
That’s a 80+ total touchdown pace — but paired with nearly 30 interceptions.
Williams’ case hinges on whether voters value raw explosiveness or penalize the mistakes. If his team sneaks into the playoffs, his highlight-reel plays might outweigh the negatives.
4. Trevor Lawrence (QB, 9-0 Record)
- Stats: 2,850 pass yards, 32 TDs, 2 INTs, 73% completion
- Rushing: 25 carries, 111 yards, 5 TDs
Efficiency is the name of Trevor Lawrence’s game this season. The former No. 1 pick has found near-perfect balance — high touchdown totals, almost no turnovers, and an undefeated record to boot.
- Projected 17-Game Averages: 5,389 pass yards, 60 TDs, 4 INTs, 9 rush TDs
That’s about as flawless as you can draw it up.
While his yardage doesn’t quite touch Bo Nix’s stratosphere, the combination of record, accuracy, and minimal mistakes might be the cleanest MVP résumé in the league. If his team keeps winning, Lawrence could become the front-runner.
5. Jaxson Dart (QB, 5-5 Record)
- Stats: 3,514 pass yards, 33 TDs, 8 INTs, 74% completion
- Rushing: 19 carries, 36 yards, 2 TDs
Jaxson Dart has been quietly putting up big numbers despite his team sitting at .500. His 74% completion rate is tops among this year’s candidates, and he’s been one of the steadiest passers in the league.
- Projected 17-Game Averages: 5,974 pass yards, 56 TDs, 14 INTs
If the wins were there, Dart would be in the top three.
His biggest hurdle isn’t performance — it’s team success. A 5-5 record won’t cut it in MVP discussions unless he can string together wins down the stretch.
6. Justin Herbert (QB, 5-5 Record)
- Stats: 3,667 pass yards, 39 TDs, 19 INTs, 65% completion
- Rushing: 23 carries, 117 yards, 5 TDs
Herbert is having a strange season — high volume, high touchdowns, but also very high turnovers. With 19 interceptions already, he’s averaging nearly two per game. His team’s inconsistency mirrors his play.
- Projected 17-Game Averages: 6,234 yards, 66 TDs, 32 INTs
That’s an outrageous stat line: MVP-level scoring but with a glaring turnover issue.
If Herbert can cut down on the mistakes and push his team into the playoff race, he could rise, but as of now he feels more like a dark-horse than a favorite.
7. Kyler Murray (QB, 7-3 Record)
- Stats: 3,669 pass yards, 40 TDs, 18 INTs, 64% completion
- Rushing: 40 carries, 143 yards, 1 TD
Kyler Murray is in many ways Caleb Williams-lite this year — lots of touchdowns, lots of turnovers, and plenty of big plays. His team record at 7-3 is stronger, which gives him more leverage in the MVP conversation.
- Projected 17-Game Averages: 6,238 yards, 68 TDs, 30 INTs
That mirrors Herbert and Williams in style — gaudy totals with shaky ball security.
Murray’s path to MVP depends on team success. If his squad pushes for a top seed, voters might be more forgiving of his turnovers.
8. Anthony Richardson (QB, 5-5 Record)
- Stats: 2,429 pass yards, 15 TDs, 4 INTs, 68% completion
- Rushing: 100 carries, 704 yards, 10 TDs
Anthony Richardson’s candidacy looks different from everyone else’s — he’s not putting up monster passing numbers, but his dual-threat ability makes him one of the most unique players in the league. With over 3,100 combined yards and 25 total touchdowns, he’s carrying a middling roster.
- Projected 17-Game Averages: 4,128 pass yards, 26 TDs, 7 INTs, 1,197 rush yards, 17 rush TDs
That’s nearly 5,300 total yards and 43 TDs, with elite efficiency.
If his team was better than 5-5, Richardson would be higher. Still, his highlight plays and ground dominance keep him in the discussion.
9. Baker Mayfield (QB, 5-5 Record)
- Stats: 3,492 pass yards, 33 TDs, 12 INTs, 75% completion
- Rushing: 48 carries, 247 yards, 1 TD
Yes, that’s right — Baker Mayfield is back in the MVP mix. His 75% completion rate leads all candidates, and he’s been as accurate as anyone in the league. His team’s .500 record holds him back, but his stats speak loudly.
- Projected 17-Game Averages: 5,936 pass yards, 56 TDs, 20 INTs, 420 rush yards
Accuracy plus production is a rare combo, and Mayfield has it.
The big question: can he keep it up? If his team gets hot late, don’t be surprised to see him climb toward the top five.
10. Michael Penix Jr. (QB, 7-3 Record)
- Stats: 3,364 pass yards, 28 TDs, 9 INTs, 74% completion
- Rushing: 47 carries, 152 yards, 4 TDs
Michael Penix Jr. has been rock solid, balancing big-time yardage with a low interception total compared to his peers. He’s not putting up quite the jaw-dropping numbers of Nix or Williams, but he’s been steady, accurate, and effective in the red zone.
- Projected 17-Game Averages: 5,717 pass yards, 48 TDs, 15 INTs, 259 rush yards, 7 rush TDs
That’s a résumé worthy of MVP discussions, especially if his team pushes toward a division title.
Penix may not win the award this year, but he looks like a long-term mainstay in the conversation.
Final Thoughts: Who’s the MVP Right Now?
The race is tight, but as of now, the leading candidates break into tiers:
- Tier 1 (Front-Runners): Saquon Barkley, Trevor Lawrence, Bo Nix
- Tier 2 (Chasing): Caleb Williams, Kyler Murray, Jaxson Dart
- Tier 3 (Dark Horses): Anthony Richardson, Michael Penix Jr., Baker Mayfield, Justin Herbert
If Barkley continues his absurd pace and his team stays undefeated, it will be hard for voters to look past him — even in a quarterback-driven award. However, Lawrence’s balance of winning and near-perfect efficiency could sway voters who value mistake-free football. And then there’s Bo Nix, who is on pace to shatter passing records.
No matter who comes out on top, one thing is clear: the Premier Madden League MVP race in 2025 is one of the deepest and most compelling we’ve seen in years.
