Josh Allen has officially secured his first NFL Most Valuable Player award after a season that saw him lead the Buffalo Bills to another AFC East title. The race for MVP was one of the closest in recent memory, with Allen edging out Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson by a narrow margin of 27 first-place votes to 23.
Allen’s road to the award has been a long one. Drafted seventh overall by the Bills in 2018, he entered the league with questions about his accuracy and consistency. However, his strong arm and dual-threat ability made him a project worth developing. Over the years, he has evolved into one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks, and his 2024 performance cemented his place among the league’s elite.
Despite an offseason that saw Buffalo part ways with key players, including star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Allen delivered one of his best seasons yet. He threw for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns while adding 531 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground. His leadership helped the Bills finish 13-4 and secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They advanced to the conference championship game before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Allen’s MVP win marks the third time a Bills player has received the honor, following O.J. Simpson in 1973 and Thurman Thomas in 1991. However, his victory came with a unique twist—he won the award despite being named a second-team All-Pro. Jackson earned first-team honors at quarterback, a distinction that has almost always aligned with the MVP winner in past years. The last time an MVP was not also a first-team All-Pro was in 1987 when John Elway won the award over Joe Montana.
Allen acknowledged his surprise at the outcome, praising Jackson for his performance throughout the season. “I was pretty surprised, given how the voting usually goes,” Allen admitted. “Lamar was very deserving as well. I have nothing but respect for him and the way he plays the game.”
Jackson, who led the Ravens to a 14-3 record and an AFC North title, finished with 4,172 passing yards, 41 total touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He also rushed for 915 yards, showcasing the electrifying play that won him the MVP award in 2019. Many believed his dual-threat dominance would secure him a second MVP, but the voting panel ultimately favored Allen’s contributions to a Bills team that exceeded expectations.
The voting breakdown further highlighted how evenly matched the two quarterbacks were. Allen finished with 383 total points, while Jackson earned 362. This marked the closest race since 2016 when Matt Ryan edged out Tom Brady for the award.
The season also saw Eagles running back Saquon Barkley win Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for over 2,000 yards. Meanwhile, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its newest class, featuring Antonio Gates, Sterling Sharpe, Jared Allen, and Eric Allen.
While Allen’s MVP win is a milestone in his career, the ultimate goal remains a Super Bowl title. Buffalo has been one of the league’s top teams in recent years but has yet to break through to the championship game. With Allen now recognized as the league’s most valuable player, expectations for him and the Bills will only grow as they continue their pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy.
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