One year ago, Drake Maye was coming off a solid but mostly unremarkable rookie season. He didn’t become the New England Patriots’ starter until a month into the 2024 campaign, and while Maye flashed stardom, he still had a long way to go, throwing 10 interceptions in 13 games.
Flash forward to January 2025, and Maye has emerged not just as one of the up-and-coming NFL quarterbacks, but as one of the best overall. He threw for 4,394 passing yards and 35 total touchdowns in 2025, leading the Patriots to a 14-3 record and cementing himself as arguably the best under-25 passer in the league.
Maye’s numbers were so spectacular that he vaulted to the top of the MVP conversation. It remains to be seen whether he’ll win the award, but having a shot at it in just his second NFL season is remarkable. Should Maye surpass Matthew Stafford in the final voting, he would join the list of the youngest MVPs in NFL history.
Here’s a look at where Maye would rank among the youngest players to win MVP.
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Who is the youngest NFL MVP?
The youngest player to ever win MVP in the NFL was Jim Brown, who, at the age of 21, took home the honors in the 1957 season for the Cleveland Browns.
Brown, a running back, was a rookie in 1957. He joined Cleveland with the sixth overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft after a decorated Syracuse career and remained a superstar in the league. In just his ninth NFL game, Brown ran for 237 yards — a new single-game NFL record at the time and a rookie record that held for 40 years.
By running for 942 yards and nine touchdowns, adding in 55 yards and a touchdown through the air, Brown was honored as the MVP of the NFL as a rookie.
As impressive as his 1957 season was, Brown then topped it in 1958 by running for a new league record 1,527 rushing yards. He also led the NFL in touchdowns with 17, securing another MVP award — his second already at age 22.
Not only is Brown one of the few running backs to win MVP, but he’s the only rookie and youngest player to ever win the award for his accomplishments in 1957.
The youngest quarterback to win MVP was Lamar Jackson at age 22, who took home the award in the 2019 season for the Baltimore Ravens
Here’s the list of the eight youngest NFL MVP winners.
RankPlayer, PositionAgeTeamSeason1Jim Brown, RB21Browns19572Lamar Jackson, QB22Ravens20193Jim Brown, RB22Browns19584Patrick Mahomes, QB23Chiefs20185Dan Marino, QB23Dolphins19846Walter Payton, RB23Bears19777Emmitt Smith, RB24Cowboys19938Earl Campbell, RB24Oilers1979
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How old is Drake Maye?
Drake Maye is 23 years old. He will turn 24 on Aug. 30, 2026.
Should Maye win the 2025 NFL MVP award, he would join a list of three other 23-year-olds to win the award: Walter Payton in 1977, Dan Marino in 1984 and Patrick Mahomes in 2018. He wouldn’t rival Jim Brown for the title of youngest MVP ever, nor Lamar Jackson for youngest MVP quarterback, but would still be among the youngest MVPs.
MORE: Co-MVPs? Inside the NFL’s history of voting ties
NFL MVP winners
Here’s a year-by-year list of every NFL MVP winner.
WinnerYearPositionTeamJosh Allen2024QBBillsLamar Jackson2023QBRavensPatrick Mahomes2022QBChiefsAaron Rodgers2021QBPackersAaron Rodgers2020QBPackersLamar Jackson2019QBRavensPatrick Mahomes2018QBChiefsTom Brady2017QBPatriotsMatt Ryan2016QBFalconsCam Newton2015QBPanthersAaron Rodgers2014QBPackersPeyton Manning2013QBBroncosAdrian Peterson2012RBVikingsAaron Rodgers2011QBPackersTom Brady2010QBPatriotsPeyton Manning2009QBColtsPeyton Manning2008QBColtsTom Brady2007QBPatriotsLaDainian Tomlinson2006RBChargersShaun Alexander2005RBSeahawksPeyton Manning2004QBColtsPeyton Manning & Steve McNairˇ2003QB, QBColts, TitansRich Gannon2002QBRaidersKurt Warner2001QBRamsMarshall Faulk2000RBRamsKurt Warner1999QBRamsTerrell Davis1998RBBroncosBarry Sanders, Brett Favre1997RB, QBLions, PackersBrett Favre1996QBPackersBrett Favre1995QBPackersSteve Young1994QB49ersEmmitt Smith1993RBCowboysSteve Young1992QB49ersThurman Thomas1991RBBillsJoe Montana1990QB49ersJoe Montana1989QB49ersBoomer Esiason1988QBBengalsJohn Elway1987QBBroncosLawrence Taylor1986LBGiantsMarcus Allen1985RBRaidersDan Marino1984QBDolphinsJoe Theismann1983QBRedskinsMark Moseley1982KRedskinsKen Anderson1981QBBengalsBrian Sipe1980QBBrownsEarl Campbell1979RBOilersTerry Bradshaw1978QBSteelersWalter Payton1977RBBearsBert Jones1976QBColtsFran Tarkenton1975QBVikingsKen Stabler1974QBRaidersO.J. Simpson 1973RBBillsLarry Brown1972RBRedskinsAlan Page1971DTVikingsJohn Brodie1970QB49ersRoman Gabriel1969QBRamsEarl Morrall1968QBColtsJohnny Unitas1967QBColtsBart Starr1966QBPackersJim Brown1965RBBrownsJohnny Unitas1964QBColtsY.A. Tittle1963QBGiantsJim Taylor 1962FBPackersPaul Hornung1961HBPackersNorm Van Brocklin1960QBEaglesJohnny Unitas 1959QBColtsJim Brown1958RBBrownsJim Brown1957RBBrownsFrank Gifford1956HBGiantsOtto Graham1955QBBrownsJoe Perry1954FB49ersOtto Graham1953QBBrownsJoe Perry1952FB49ersNorm Van Brocklin1951QBRamsOtto Graham1950QBBrownsCharley Conerly1949QBGiantsPat Harder1948FBCardinalsSammy Baugh1947QBRedskinsBill Dudley1946HBSteelersCharley Trippi1945HBCardinalsFrank Sinkwich1944HBLionsSid Luckman1943QBBearsDon Hutson1942EndPackersJoe Foss1941DBGiantsAce Parker 1940QBDodgersParker Hall1939QBRamsBob Monnett 1938HBPackersEd Danowski1937QBGiantsJoe F. Carter1936HBLions