SAN FRANCISCO — The stage is set at the Palace of Fine Arts, and the tension is thicker than the Bay Area fog. Just four days before leading the New England Patriots into Super Bowl 60 against the Seattle Seahawks, quarterback Drake Maye isn’t just playing for a ring—he’s gunning for the league’s highest individual honor. But he has to get through Christian McCaffrey first.
The NFL announced the finalists for the Associated Press 2025 NFL awards Thursday, confirming a historic night for the 49ers’ star running back. McCaffrey becomes only the second player in league history to be named a finalist for three AP awards in a single season. After a grueling rehab from the injury that sidelined him for most of 2024, McCaffrey’s return has been nothing short of cinematic.
The MVP Race: A Sophomore vs. The Vets
The field for the 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player award is a heavy mix of elite resurgence and fresh dominance. Joining McCaffrey in the top five are:
- Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)
- Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)
- Drake Maye (New England Patriots)
Maye’s inclusion is the headline grabber. The second-year signal-caller has transformed the Patriots’ offense, throwing for over 4,200 yards and dragging New England back to the Super Bowl for a rematch of the historic Super Bowl 49. He faces stiff competition from McCaffrey, who racked up 1,202 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns this season, proving his legs are as fresh as ever.
McCaffrey’s “Triple Crown” Chase
McCaffrey isn’t just hunting the MVP trophy. He is also a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year—where he squares off against Maye again—and Comeback Player of the Year.
The Comeback Player of the Year race might be the night’s most emotional battle. McCaffrey goes head-to-head with Trevor Lawrence, who also returned from a significant injury layoff to steer Jacksonville back to relevance. Voters from the nationwide panel of 50 media members submitted their ballots before the playoffs began, meaning Maye’s current postseason heroics won’t count toward the tally. The tabulation was handled by Lutz and Carr to ensure total secrecy until the envelopes open tonight.
“You don’t play for the trophies, you play for the guy next to you. But if they hand you one, you don’t give it back. Drake [Maye] has been unreal this year. He deserves to be in that conversation as much as anyone.” — Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams Quarterback
Super Bowl 60 Implications
The timing adds a unique layer of pressure. While McCaffrey and the 49ers watch from the sidelines this Sunday, Maye has to balance the red carpet with the game plan. History suggests this is a dangerous distraction; the last few regular-season MVPs to play in the Super Bowl have struggled to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
New England faces Seattle at Levi’s Stadium on Monday (Feb 9, 2026), and a Maye MVP win tonight would ramp up the hype for a “Patriots vs. Seahawks” sequel to deafening levels. If Maye walks away with the hardware, he puts a target on his back that the Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom 2.0” defense will be eager to hit.
Tonight’s ceremony also features Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and the Rookie of the Year awards. San Francisco is ready. The lights are on. Now we wait for the names.
