Drake Maye vs. Matthew Stafford MVP Debate Between ESPN Analysts Goes Viral

The MVP race came down to the New England Patriots' Drake Maye and Los Angeles Rams' Matthew Stafford.

Drake Maye vs. Matthew Stafford MVP Debate Between ESPN Analysts Goes Viral

Matthew Stafford, Drake Maye, Mina Kimes, and Dan Orlovsky (Image via Savage/FanDuel/X/Imago)

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With hours to go before the NFL honors the best of the best from the 2025 season, the biggest debate is who, between Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford, will win the league MVP award.

All throughout the season, when the New England Patriots’ QB surprised everyone, Dan Orlovsky and Mina Kimes debated whether the sophomore was a clear MVP favorite.

Then, when the veteran Rams signal caller made his point, Orlovsky was one of those who quickly jumped onto the Super Bowl champion’s corner, providing facts on how the 37-year-old has been the best.

Even when Stafford had a bad game, the ESPN analyst and former quarterback was not willing to let go of his vote. Then came First Take, and Stephen A. Smith brought Orlovsky and Kimes together for a debate.

For me, I look at two things: dominance and then value. From a dominance perspective, Drake Maye was better than Matthew Stafford in just about every meaningful statistic. QBR, EPA per dropback, he had the highest completion percentage in the NFL… On top of that, he was the more efficient quarterback. He also brought an element with his rushing that you just don’t get from Matthew Stafford, obviously.

Mina Kimes said

The 40-year-old gave all the statistics to reinforce her belief that her vote for Drake Maye was both just and sensible, despite all the accusations of the Patriots enjoying a favorable schedule. But her colleague wasn’t having it.

Dan Orlovsky lists why Matthew Stafford should be MVP

The problem with Mina Kimes’ opening analogy was that Dan Orlovsky was left flustered, as he realized she came prepared with the statistics to back her vote. But he had one ace up his sleeve and decided to use it.

Drake Maye had all the statistics in his favor
Drake Maye had all the statistics in his favor (Image via Boston Strong BR/X)

I voted for Stafford. This is my biggest pushback to you, and this is where you lose it. You can’t on one hand talk about the numerical advantage or the statistical advantage that Drake Maye has on some of the things that you reference and then not talk about the schedule.

Dan Orlovsky countered

The former Detroit Lions backup QB, infamous for stepping out-of-bounds in the end zone during a play, believes that the Patriots’ easy schedule undermines whatever Kimes was hashing out.

Orlovsky then went on to claim that the Los Angeles Rams had a tougher overall schedule, and that alone gives their QB Matthew Stafford the advantage in this MVP race. He felt that the Patriots did not face a top-10 defense to justify Kimes’ analogy.

Mina Kimes comes back with another stat to end with Drake Maye at the top

At this point, Mina Kimes rebutted by stating that she did talk about the New England Patriots’ schedule and how they did face good defenses. But when Dan Orlovsky pointed out that the best defense Drake Maye faced was the Buffalo Bills, who were ranked 12th, Kimes had another rebuttal.

Statistically, I am telling you, New England’s, the slate of defenses they faced, if you look at EPA per play, is not much easier than the Patriots… You can look at the six teams they both played, put up their stats side-by-side, and Drake Maye was better against those teams.

Mina Kimes rebuted

By this time, everybody else on First Take knew that Kimes had essentially countered everything Orlovsky tried to place and had undeniably won the debate.

However, after placing all these arguments, when Ryan Clark brought up narratives and how they impact voting, Mina Kimes admitted that Matthew Stafford will likely win the MVP even though Maye gets her vote.

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