As in every year, there is discussion about possible MVP candidates in the run-up to the NFL season. This year, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills once again seems to be one of the hottest contenders for the title. Will last year’s runner-up be MVP in his fifth season?

Munich – He came very close last season. Now it could be time. Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is probably the hottest contender for the MVP title.

The quarterback received only the second most votes in the past NFL season, finishing behind Aaron Rodgers, the superstar of the Green Bay Packers. Yet there were more than a few who were betting that Allen would already win his first MVP title at this point. This time – in Allen’s fifth NFL season – the odds are even better – and for several reasons.

Dream duo Allen and Diggs

Because the Bills are a serious contender for the Super Bowl title this year, almost all experts think so. While the MVP doesn’t always come from the team that wins the Super Bowl – after all, the title only covers performances in the regular season – the quarterback remains one of the main contributors to the franchise’s performance.

In Stefon Diggs, Allen continues to have an absolute top receiver at his disposal as the primary kickoff man. According to “Pro Football Reference”, Allen threw 230 passes for 2750 yards to Diggs in their two regular seasons together. The top duo has already scored 18 touchdowns together.

What Allen is all about

In addition, the 26-year-old playmaker has proven on several occasions that he can make an impact in the running game in addition to his outstanding passing game – and that’s despite the fact that Allen isn’t exactly one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the league.

Nevertheless, he scored six rushing touchdowns last season. Incidentally, his lowest total in the four NFL seasons so far. In terms of passing touchdowns, however, the Bills quarterback has really stepped up in the two most recent seasons. Allen threw 37 and 36 touchdowns in 2020 and 2021 – in part because he now has a star receiver like Diggs by his side.

MVP often become quarterbacks

Also, the MVP stats of the past few years favor Allen – or at least the league’s playmakers. Of course, aside from the top quarterbacks around Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Co. there are other players at other positions who will have a huge impact on their team and could become MVP. But the statistics of the past years show: MVP usually become quarterbacks.

A look at the MVP winners of the past 15 NFL seasons reveals that only once did a player become MVP who was not a quarterback. In 2012, Adrian Peterson – a running back with the Minnesota Vikings in his day – was named the league’s most valuable player. Otherwise, the top guns of playmakers like Tom Brady, Rodgers or the now retired Peyton Manning shared the award among themselves.

McDermott: “Allen is a leader “

MVP, however, will go to the player who leads the way for his team and makes everyone else better. If Bills head coach Sean McDermott has his way, Allen undoubtedly possesses those qualities. “He has not only developed on the field. He’s also shown leadership off the field. I’m extremely proud of that,” the coach said in an interview on “Good Morning Football”.

Allen also has the odds on his side. As the bookmakers of “Caesars Sportsbook” determined, the Bills quarterback is the favourite for the MVP title. Whether the bookmakers are actually right, however, will only become clear in the coming weeks and months.

Reaching the playoffs is the absolute minimum goal for the Bills. And basically also a prerequisite for winning the MVP title.