As the NFL unveils its annual list of the top 100 players ahead of the 2025 season, the methodology behind this selection process has garnered considerable interest. A recent article by Jayna Bardahl from The Athletic provides a detailed explanation of how the list is generated through player voting. The process begins with each player creating a top 20 list, with points awarded based on their rankings—20 points for a first-place vote, 19 for a second, and so forth. Notably, players are permitted to vote for themselves, allowing them to assert their place among the league's elite.

The initiative to increase player participation has proven successful since the NFL began visiting all 32 team facilities in 2015, as reported by Adam Ryan, a supervising producer for NFL Films. This effort has resulted in a significant rise in involvement from approximately 300 players annually to as many as 1,100 in recent years. The process of distributing ballots typically commences around Thanksgiving, with the majority of submissions received before the Super Bowl. Trends have emerged since the Top 100's inception in 2010, most notably a dominance of skill position players; from 2011 to 2024, running backs (141) have outnumbered offensive linemen (125) on the list. However, the presence of running backs has notably declined, with only five featured on the 2024 list compared to 15 in 2012. Quarterbacks have traditionally excelled, having topped the list on 10 occasions over 14 years, with Tom Brady leading with four No. 1 finishes. Patrick Mahomes stands out as the only other player to achieve this honor multiple times, while Lamar Jackson remains unique in ranking first after not appearing on the list the previous year, following his MVP campaign in 2019.

Aaron Rodgers has the distinction of being the sole player to have been included on the list every year to date. As the current year’s reveal continues, he has not yet been featured on the 2025 list, which is being announced in segments via the platform X, with two players revealed daily before the full top 10 is divulged on NFL Network on September 1. The voting process has sometimes led to tension among players, particularly observed by Erin O’Toole, a senior talent producer at NFL Films. She reported that the Minnesota Vikings have been home to notably contentious locker room dynamics, witnessing intense debates and, in some cases, disputes among teammates, including a specific incident in 2015 involving former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell. O'Toole highlighted Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders and Pat Surtain II as two of the most credible voters, emphasizing their commitment to the voting procedure. Although the voting process may not be entirely scientific—due to varying levels of consideration from players—it serves to invoke the same discussions that fans regularly engage in: who currently ranks among the best in the NFL. Its success is evident, especially when unexpected players rise to prominence; a notable example occurred last year when Tyreek Hill claimed the top spot, surpassing Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, and Patrick Mahomes. As this season unfolds, Ryan expressed mild surprise regarding the player who will emerge at the top of the list, leaving fans in eager anticipation for the final reveal.