Bills quarterback Josh Allen is the NFL's Most Valuable Player from the 2024 season. It's Allen's first time winning the award in his seven-year career.
Allen started off his acceptance speech by focusing on others rather than himself.
"Terry and Kim Pegula, Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott, thank you guys for drafting me seven and a half years ago," Allen said. "It feels just like yesterday, it really does. I know this is an individual award and it says Most Valuable Player on it, but I think it's derived from team success, and I love my team…we got such a great locker room in Buffalo, and it takes everybody."
Allen finished the 2024 season with 307 completions for 3,731 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns. It was Allen's fifth straight season with at least 40 total touchdowns, becoming the first QB to do so in NFL history. The QB had a career-low six interceptions and was sacked at the lowest rate in the league (14) among quarterbacks with 17 starts.
Allen's parents, Joel and LaVonne Allen, sat front row with big smiles and tears in their eyes as they watched their son accept the award.
"Just a flood of emotions, just excitement," LaVonne shared about reflecting on the moment. "The award given to him, he's so deserving. He's such a hard worker, his dedication, he's just amazing. Just to have his work finally be acknowledged is absolutely amazing."
"All the blood, sweat and tears, all the amount of time and effort that he's put into football," Joel said of why his son was so deserving. "We watched him since he was a little guy, and this is kind of like the pinnacle of his career. I'm so proud of him. I'm sure everybody in Buffalo is proud of him, back home in Firebaugh, too."
Many believe Allen was deserving of this year's MVP due to his importance to a Buffalo offense that faced many changes ahead of the 2024 season. The Bills lost their top two scorers in terms of receiving touchdowns and yards in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis during the offseason.
According to OptaSTATS, Allen is the first QB in NFL history to have his team lose its top two receivers (by yards) from the previous year and yet still win MVP.
Allen also had a new full-time offensive coordinator in Joe Brady.
Even with several new faces on offense, QB1 prevailed. The Bills averaged 30.9 points per game, the second most in the NFL and second most in franchise history. Allen set a franchise record for total touchdowns (262), passing Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly. The QB also tied Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas (65) for the most rushing touchdowns in Bills history.
Teammates and coaches say Allen took his leadership to new heights this season as he was named one of two team captains for the 2024 Bills. Players say they saw Allen's confidence in himself grow this season.
"Josh Allen's leadership, his consistent leadership, was the biggest reason why we did what we did this season," head coach Sean McDermott said. "So, anybody that tries to say otherwise, I know better. I've seen it. Him now doing that every season for us, not an easy undertaking."
"He's become more confident in his leadership," former teammate Micah Hyde said of Allen's season. "He's not trying to be somebody he's not. I'm not saying he's done that in the past. He's just letting the game come to him. He enjoys showing up every day and being around his boys."
With Allen leading the offense, the Bills set a franchise record for touchdowns (63) and points (509). Buffalo also scored at least 30 points in 12 games and set an NFL record by doing so in eight consecutive games. The Bills finished the regular season 10-0 at home, which is only the third time that's happened in franchise history.
Buffalo's quarterback knows just how important an award like this is to his city.
"I think it means a lot to the city," Allen said. "This is something that they were probably rooting for…I know that anytime we step onto that field in our stadium, they're all chanting MVP. It's such a surreal feeling to know that they care so much and care so much about this. I wish we weren't hosting this trophy.
"I wish we were hoisting the Lombardi. We're gonna keep working until we do."
Allen is the first Bill to be named MVP since Thomas did so in 1991. The QB is the third player in franchise history to receive the honor (O.J. Simpson – 1975, Thurman Thomas – 1991).
Scroll to see exclusive photos from NFL Honors as Josh Allen wins the 2024 NFL MVP award!
AP MVP Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) poses for a portrait during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is seen on stage during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) speaks on stage after he accepts the AP Most Valuable Player Award during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks on during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and guest on the red carpet before the NFL Honors award show ahead of the Super Bowl 59 football game, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Hailee Steinfield pose for a photo on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Hailee Steinfield pose for a photo on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Hailee Steinfield pose for a photo on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Hailee Steinfield pose for a photo on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Hailee Steinfeld pose for a photo during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and head coach Sean McDermott embrace during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) interact during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) interact during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Hailee Steinfield look on during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Hailee Steinfield look on during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks on during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks on during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks on during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks on during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and his fiancé actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld embrace after he wins the AP Most Valuable Player Award during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) speaks on stage after he accepts the AP Most Valuable Player Award during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) speaks on stage after he accepts the AP Most Valuable Player Award during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) speaks on stage after he accepts the AP Most Valuable Player Award during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) speaks on stage after he accepts the AP Most Valuable Player Award during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) embraces Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) after he accepts the AP Most Valuable Player Award during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) embrace on stage after Josh Allen accepts the AP Most Valuable Player Award during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) embrace on stage after Josh Allen accepts the AP Most Valuable Player Award during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) speaks on stage after he accepts the AP Most Valuable Player Award during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and Hailee Steinfield and pose for a photo during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
AP MVP Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) poses for a portrait during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
AP MVP Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) poses for a portrait during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
AP MVP Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) poses for a portrait during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
AP MVP Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) poses for a portrait during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
AP MVP Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) poses for a portrait during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
AP MVP Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) poses for a portrait during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
AP MVP Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) poses for a portrait during the NFL Honors awards show on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
