Josh Allen edges out Lamar Jackson for NFL MVP award

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player at the organisation's annual awards ceremony at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans on Thursday night.

Allen edged Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for MVP in a tight vote. The Buffalo QB received 27 first-place votes, and the Baltimore QB got the other 23.

The Coach of the Year was the Minnesota Vikings' Kevin O'Connell, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was selected the Offensive Player of the Year and Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II was chosen the Defensive Player of the Year.

Allen led the Bills to a 13-4 record and the number two seed in the AFC, throwing 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns against just six interceptions. He also ran for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns on 102 carries.

Jackson threw for 4,172 yards and 41 touchdowns with four interceptions, and he rushed for 915 yards and four scores. He was the MVP in 2019 and 2023.

Allen was previously the MVP runner-up in 2020, a three-time Pro-Bowler (2020, 2022, 2024) and the 2020 PFWA Most Improved Player.

Over seven seasons in Buffalo, Allen has thrown for over 26,000 yards, with 195 touchdowns and added another 4,142 yards and 65 touchdowns rushing.

The seventh overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Allen has led the Bills to the play-offs six straight seasons and to the AFC Championship Game twice, including this past season.

Other awards handed out Thursday night included:

AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

AP Comeback Player of the Year: QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Salute to Service Award: TE George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: DE Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams

Next Gen Stats Moment of the Year: QB