Trevor Lawrence Named MVP Finalist After Breakout 2025 Season
Trevor Lawrence is officially in the MVP conversation - and not just in the barbershop or on sports talk radio. The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback has been named a finalist for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award, a first in his young career and a fitting capstone to a season where everything seemed to click.
In his fifth year as a pro, Lawrence led the Jaguars to a 13-4 record, clinching the AFC South title and locking in the No. 3 seed in the AFC. That earned Jacksonville a home playoff game - a significant step forward for a franchise still building its identity in the post-rebuild era. While their postseason run was cut short in a tight 27-24 wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills, Lawrence’s individual performance throughout the season left no doubt: he’s arrived.
A Career Year Under New Leadership
Working under first-year head coach Liam Coen, Lawrence put together his most complete season yet. He posted career highs in several key categories: 29 passing touchdowns, 359 rushing yards, and nine rushing touchdowns. That’s not just padding the stat sheet - that’s impact football.
Lawrence completed 60.9% of his passes for 4,007 yards and 12 interceptions across 17 games, good for a 91.3 passer rating - the second-best mark of his career. He also took a career-high 41 sacks, a sign that while the offensive line had its lapses, Lawrence’s ability to extend plays sometimes came at a cost. Still, his dual-threat ability was on full display, especially in the red zone, where his nine rushing scores ranked second among quarterbacks.
But it was his finish to the season that truly turned heads. Over the final six games, Lawrence threw for 1,600 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just one interception, while adding four more touchdowns on the ground. That late-season surge powered an eight-game win streak to close out the regular season - and put Jacksonville firmly on the map.
The MVP Field: Stacked with Star Power
Lawrence is one of five finalists for the MVP award, joining a group that includes Buffalo’s Josh Allen, San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey, New England’s rookie sensation Drake Maye, and Los Angeles Rams veteran Matthew Stafford. Each brings a compelling case to the table.
Matthew Stafford put up video-game numbers, leading the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. His 109.2 passer rating was second only to Maye, and he earned his first career first-team All-Pro nod while guiding the Rams to the NFC’s No. 5 seed.
Drake Maye, the Patriots’ rookie quarterback, didn’t just meet expectations - he shattered them. With 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and a league-best 113.5 passer rating, Maye led New England to an AFC East title and the No. 2 seed. He also topped the NFL in completion percentage (72%), showing poise well beyond his years.
Josh Allen, last year’s MVP, had another strong season, throwing for 3,668 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding 14 more scores with his legs. He led the Bills to their seventh consecutive playoff appearance and remains one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks.
Christian McCaffrey continued to redefine the modern running back role. He rushed for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns and added 102 catches for 924 yards and seven more scores. That’s 1,000+ yards on the ground and nearly 1,000 more through the air - a rare feat that helped the 49ers secure a playoff spot as the NFC’s No. 6 seed.
Lawrence Also in the Comeback Player of the Year Mix
In addition to his MVP nod, Lawrence is a finalist for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award. He joins a diverse group of contenders: McCaffrey, Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Each has their own unique journey, but Lawrence’s rebound - both statistically and in terms of team success - stands out.
After a 2024 season that saw ups and downs, this year felt like a turning point. With a new coach, improved offensive rhythm, and a healthy dose of late-season momentum, Lawrence looked every bit the franchise quarterback Jacksonville hoped for when they took him first overall in 2021.
What’s Next?
The MVP and other major awards will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony on February 5. Whether or not Lawrence takes home the hardware, his 2025 campaign has already cemented his place among the NFL’s elite. He’s no longer just a promising young quarterback - he’s one of the league’s most valuable players, in every sense of the word.