Jon Gruden Names NFL MVP Without Hesitation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Oct 13, 2025 11:53 AM ET

The NFL season is nearing the midway point, with several players having already climbed the ladder in the MVP race.

Heading into the season, many eyes were on top-end quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, but former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden believes the narrative has changed.

As many teams prepare for Week 7 of the NFL season, with a pair of "Monday Night Football" remaining on the Week 6 slate, Gruden revealed his thoughts on the NFL MVP.

Gruden believes Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is the frontrunner for the MVP award, having led his team to the top of the conference.

"I'm going with Baker Mayfield, Dave," Gruden said to "Wake Up Barstool" host Dave Portnoy. "He's a combination to me of Brett Favre and Rocky Balboa, man, the way he's playing. That scramble he had yesterday on third-and-14, you don't see quarterbacks with that kind of playing style. This guy has really done an unbelievable job with all of the injuries."

Who is the NFL MVP through Week 6?@BarstoolGruden and @gregolsen88 give us their picks pic.twitter.com/M9QyIzMEfC
— Wake Up Barstool (@wakeupbarstool) October 13, 2025

Baker Mayfield led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 30-19 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 of the NFL season.

The Buccaneers sit atop the NFC standings with a 5-1 record. So far this season, the Buccaneers have beaten the following teams: the 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons.

Tampa Bay's only loss came against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.