Seahawks star subtly exposed the difference between Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye

The margins for 2025 NFL MVP honors were razor-thin, with Los Angeles Rams star quarterback Matthew Stafford winning the closest race in over two decades. However, Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love may have settled the debate once and for all without even trying.

Love and the Seahawks' defense have dominated headlines for their incredible efforts in Super Bowl LX. They made life incredibly difficult for New England Patriots standout passer Drake Maye, the runner-up to Stafford. The lopsided performance was enough validation for Rams fans, though a Mic'd Up sound bite gave them all the confirmation they needed.

A fourth-quarter interception by Love effectively ended the Patriots' comeback hopes, but it's what happened after that caught our attention. He subtly yet powerfully highlighted that the gap between Stafford and Maye may be bigger than the award ballot suggests.

Seahawks' Julian Love low-key puts an end to Matthew Stafford-Drake Maye MVP debate

It was evident that Love sensed a turnover was coming. The one-time Pro Bowler cited a clear tell that Maye was telegraphing his intentions when talking to fellow Seahawks safety Coby Bryant on the sideline.

"Classic young quarterback," Love said (h/t the NFL's official X/Twitter account). "As soon as the back foot hits, [Maye's] going to where he wants, but he’s pausing for a second to confirm he’s open. He's not blindly doing it like Stafford."

Of all the possible names, it's interesting that Love mentioned Stafford. Could it be because the Seahawks had just faced the Rams in the NFC Championship Game? Was this just a mere coincidence?

Maye, 23, hesitated for a fraction of a moment before letting go of the ball repeatedly. His youth and inexperience reared their ugly heads at the worst possible time for the Patriots. Either way, this gave the Seahawks an extra half-second to react and pounce, a luxury they didn't have against the Stafford-led Rams

There may not be a huge drop-off in skill when comparing Maye and Stafford, yet the nuances of quarterbacking go well beyond ability. The latter has been in the league for nearly as long as the former has been alive (17 years)! That's what separates them, which Love perfectly illustrated.

Stafford has seen every coverage imaginable and has otherworldly arm talent. He can basically make tight-window throws with his eyes closed at this point — literally. We've even seen him flex the Rolodex of a true savant of the game with no-look tosses that look way easier than they actually are.