The NFL’s official MVP won’t be revealed until early 2025, but as far as the Buffalo Bills’ offensive line is concerned, that honor already belongs to quarterback Josh Allen.
And as a reward for his superlative season, the group gifted a diamond-studded ‘MVP’ medallion to Allen, who proudly showed it off on social media.
‘The box is the sickest thing,’ an elated Allen said while posing for left tackle Dion Dawkins’ camera. That is so sick.’
Not only is the medallion covered in glimmering diamonds, but the piece is shaped like a jersey with Allen’s No. 17 on the front below the letters: MVP.
And on the back, both starting and backup offensive linemen’s names are listed: Dawkins, David Edwards, Conner McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Ryan Van Demark, Alec Anderson, Will Clapp, Richard Gouraige, Tylan Grable, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Mike Edwards and Tommy Doyle.
Of course, not everyone was on board with the gift.
Not only is the medallion covered in glimmering diamonds, but the piece is shaped like a jersey with Allen’s No. 17 on the front below the letters: MVP
Many on Instagram saw the gift as foolish, given the strong play of the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson
‘How do you give him a MVP chain without a MVP?’ one commenter asked on Instagram.
‘Too bad [Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is] winning it,’ another added, echoing a belief shared by many on social media.
‘Why doesn’t it have Lamar’s number?’ one critic asked.
Typically it’s quarterbacks’ Christmas gifts for offensive linemen that draw attention. For instance, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow gifted Japanese katana swords to his line.
Allen previously admitted the annual tradition is starting to get a little too expensive, although he is on a $258 million deal that will pay him $60 million in salary and bonuses this season.
The former Wyoming star is a -500 favorite to win his first MVP this season, according to BetMGM. Jackson, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and Lions quarterback Jared Goff round out the top four.
Allen’s success for the 12-3 Bills is all the more remarkable considering the health battles he’s had this season. Most recently, Allen hurt his elbow in his team’s win over New England Patriots on Sunday night.
It emerged earlier on Sunday that Allen broke his hand in the first Bills game of the season
Josh Allen played through the pain barrier once again as the Bills beat the Patriots on Sunday
The MVP contender seemed unconcerned by the issue when speaking to CBS after the game but his team cannot afford for him to get badly hurt with the playoffs on the horizon.
‘Oh you’re talking about – I fell down, got a helmet to the funny bone,’ Allen said of the incident that occurred in the fourth quarter.
‘I went to throw the next one, and I had no feeling in the hand. So I came out a little wobbly. Hell, it happens sometimes. We move on.’
It emerged earlier on Sunday that Allen broke his left hand during a touchdown run in the opening Bills game of the season against Arizona Cardinals.
The signal caller was previously on the Bills’ injury list for a hand injury during Week 12, but the extent of his pain was not previously known.
The only noticeable difference is the amount of snaps Allen is taking under center rather than out of the shotgun – a sign the Bills are desperately trying to protect their prized quarterback.
