In the high-stakes world of professional football, the Associated Press Most Valuable Player award stands as the ultimate individual achievement. Since the honor was first introduced in 1957, the list of NFL MVP winners has become a definitive registry of the game's greatest icons. As the league prepares for the 15th Annual NFL Honors tonight, February 5, 2026, fans and historians alike are looking back at the players who have defined generations of football excellence.
The Current Landscape of the MVP Award
As of today, the landscape of the league continues to be dominated by elite quarterback play. The most recent addition to the history books is Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who claimed the 2024 NFL MVP award following a spectacular season where he led the league in total touchdowns. Allen’s victory marked a significant moment for the Bills franchise and reinforced the trend of modern dual-threat quarterbacks commanding the vote.
The 2025 NFL Honors Announcement
The football world is currently focused on tonight’s ceremony, where the 2025 NFL MVP will be officially crowned. While the 2024 season belonged to Allen, the 2025 race has featured several high-profile candidates looking to join the exclusive club of NFL MVP winners. The announcement tonight will add the 69th name to this prestigious all-time list, continuing a tradition that spans nearly seven decades.
Lamar Jackson and Recent Multi-Time Winners
Before Allen’s 2024 win, Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens secured his second career MVP for the 2023 season. Jackson’s ability to win the award twice in a five-year span (2019 and 2023) places him in a rare tier of athletes. He joined Patrick Mahomes (2018, 2022) and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021) as the only active players with multiple MVP trophies heading into the 2025 ceremony.
The Most Decorated NFL MVP Winners in History
To truly appreciate the difficulty of winning this award, one must look at the legends who managed to do it multiple times. Consistency at an elite level is the hallmark of the Hall of Fame careers represented on this list.
Peyton Manning: The Five-Time Record Holder
Peyton Manning remains the gold standard for individual regular-season excellence. Manning holds the all-time record with five MVP awards, winning four with the Indianapolis Colts (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009) and one with the Denver Broncos (2013). His 2013 campaign, in which he threw for a record-breaking 55 touchdowns, is widely considered one of the greatest individual seasons in sports history.
The Four-Win and Three-Win Clubs
Following Manning is Aaron Rodgers, who has four trophies to his credit. A small, elite group of players sits just behind them with three wins each: Tom Brady, Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, and Brett Favre. Notably, Favre is the only player to ever win the award in three consecutive seasons (1995, 1996, and 1997), a feat that has not been replicated in nearly 30 years.
Positional Trends: Beyond the Quarterback
While the modern era has seen a heavy lean toward quarterbacks, the history of NFL MVP winners includes legendary players from other positions. However, these instances are becoming increasingly rare as the game evolves into a pass-first league.
- Running Backs: The last non-quarterback to win the award was Adrian Peterson in 2012. Other notable winners include LaDainian Tomlinson (2006), Shaun Alexander (2005), and Marshall Faulk (2000).
- Defensive Players: Only two defensive players have ever won the AP MVP. Alan Page (1971) and Lawrence Taylor (1986). Taylor’s 20.5-sack season in '86 remains the last time a defender captured the honor.
- Special Teams: In a truly unique 1982 strike-shortened season, Washington placekicker Mark Moseley became the only kicker to ever win the award.
Recent NFL MVP Winners (2014–2024)
The following list tracks the winners from the last decade, showcasing the current era of quarterback dominance:
- 2024: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
- 2023: Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
- 2022: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2021: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
- 2020: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
- 2019: Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
- 2018: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2017: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
- 2016: Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
- 2015: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
- 2014: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
The Legacy of the MVP
From Jim Brown winning the inaugural award in 1957 to Josh Allen taking the mantle in 2024, the MVP trophy serves as a historical marker for the NFL. It identifies the players who didn't just play the game well, but who fundamentally changed the outcome of their team's season. As the 2025 winner is announced tonight at the NFL Honors, they will join a lineage of athletes who have defined the very best of professional football.
Sources & Original Reporting
