Justin Herbert’s Lone MVP Vote Sparked Controversy - But Was It Really That Outlandish?
When Matthew Stafford was named the 2025 NFL MVP, it should’ve been a moment of celebration. Instead, it became the epicenter of one of the most hotly debated award outcomes in recent memory.
Not because Stafford didn’t deserve it - but because of how close it was. He edged out Patriots quarterback Drake Maye by just one point.
And that razor-thin margin? It turned a single first-place vote for Justin Herbert into a full-blown firestorm.
Let’s unpack why one vote - from NFL analyst Sam Monson - became the talk of the football world, and why, when you look at Herbert’s season in full, it might not have been as wild as it first seemed.
Herbert’s Case: More Than Just Stats
On paper, Herbert didn’t have the kind of season that typically lands you in MVP conversations. He wasn’t leading the league in passing yards or touchdowns, and the Chargers didn’t make a deep playoff run. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story - not even close.
Herbert spent the 2025 season behind what many considered the worst offensive line in the NFL. Week after week, he was under siege, facing relentless pressure and absorbing hits that would’ve knocked most quarterbacks off their rhythm - or out of the lineup entirely. And yet, he stayed upright, kept slinging, and kept the Chargers competitive in games they had no business being in.
His deep-ball accuracy? Still elite.
His ability to improvise and create something out of nothing? As sharp as ever.
There were moments - many of them - where Herbert looked like a one-man offense, dragging a battered unit into contention through sheer will and talent. That’s not just valuable - that’s MVP-caliber value, even if it doesn’t show up in the stat column.
The Vote Heard ‘Round the League
Sam Monson’s first-place MVP vote for Herbert wasn’t anonymous - he owned it. And he explained it.
Taking to social media, Monson laid out his reasoning: Herbert was doing more with less than any other quarterback in the league. In Monson’s words, “the guy had the worst offensive line in the NFL all season and despite that he was working miracles in almost every single game.”
He didn’t stop there. Monson pointed out that when Stafford’s offensive line dipped in quality - briefly - his play took a noticeable hit.
Herbert, on the other hand, dealt with that kind of pressure all season long and still found ways to keep his team afloat. That, Monson argued, is the very definition of “value.”
And while many fans - especially those in New England - were quick to label the vote as reckless or misguided, Monson stood by his decision. He wasn’t saying Herbert had the best season; he was saying Herbert was most valuable to his team under the circumstances. That’s a distinction worth considering.
The Fallout: Maye Just Misses
Of course, the backlash came fast. Patriots fans, who watched Drake Maye put together a jaw-dropping second season, were furious.
And understandably so. Maye had the numbers, the wins, and the highlight-reel plays.
He looked every bit like the league’s next superstar, and for many, the MVP trophy felt like it was his - until it wasn’t.
Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy took to social media to blast Monson, accusing him of overthinking the vote and robbing Maye of what should’ve been a career-defining moment. Others echoed the sentiment: Herbert’s season was admirable, but the MVP award, they argued, should go to the player with the best season, not the most sympathetic storyline.
But that’s the heart of the debate, isn’t it? What does “valuable” really mean?
Is it about being the most statistically dominant? Or is it about elevating your team beyond its limitations?
A Vote That Asked the Right Questions
Love it or hate it, Monson’s vote did something important - it sparked a conversation about what the MVP award is really about. Herbert didn’t have the flashiest numbers, but he played inspired, resilient football under brutal conditions.
He gave the Chargers a fighting chance in games where they were outmatched across the board. And he did it without complaining, without excuses, and without the kind of help most MVP candidates enjoy.
That’s not nothing. In fact, that’s the kind of leadership and performance that should be in the MVP conversation - even if it doesn’t win the award.
In a year where there was no runaway favorite, where Stafford, Maye, and even a few others made strong cases, it’s not unreasonable that one voter saw something in Herbert worth honoring. It may have been a contrarian pick, but it wasn’t a careless one.
The Bigger Picture
The 2025 MVP race will be remembered not just for who won, but for how it was decided. A single vote - one man’s interpretation of value - tipped the scales and ignited a league-wide debate. And while it may have cost Drake Maye a trophy, it also forced fans, analysts, and voters alike to wrestle with a deeper question: Should MVP go to the best player, or the most indispensable one?
That’s a conversation worth having. And thanks to Herbert’s gritty season - and Monson’s bold ballot - we’re having it now.