In a closely fought competition, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford secured the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award, narrowly outperforming second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Stafford collected 24 of 50 first-place votes, while Maye was right behind with 23, marking the closest MVP contest since the co-awards to Peyton Manning and Steve McNair in 2003. The announcement came on Thursday evening during the NFL Honors event held in San Francisco.
Stafford, who turns 38 this Saturday, conveyed strong commitment to continue playing, confirming that he will return to the Los Angeles Rams roster next season. "Oh yeah, I'll be back," he said. Stafford expressed appreciation for the team and coaches, noting the strong camaraderie and the fortunate circumstance of finishing the season healthy. He emphasized his desire to compete again and see what the future holds for the Rams.
Taking the stage alongside him, Stafford brought his four daughters, all coordinated in matching black-and-white dresses, creating a memorable family moment. In his acceptance speech, he acknowledged his teammates and coaches but reserved special thanks for his wife and daughters, highlighting their role as his staunchest supporters on the sidelines during games. He looked forward optimistically to having them cheer for him in the following season as the Rams aim to improve on their campaign.
While Stafford narrowly won the MVP award, Drake Maye leads the New England Patriots as quarterback in the upcoming Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks. This contrast highlights the distinct paths of the two finalists, with Maye competing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the immediate future.
Other major NFL honors were also announced during the event. Myles Garrett received unanimous votes to claim Defensive Player of the Year after setting a new single-season sack record with 23. He earned all 50 first-place votes for the award, underscoring his dominant defensive presence. Garrett also achieved unanimous All-Pro status and joins an elite group of multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year recipients.
On offense, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was named Offensive Player of the Year, surpassing former running back Christian McCaffrey. Smith-Njigba garnered 14 first-place votes and led the league with 1,793 receiving yards on 119 receptions, adding 10 touchdowns to his record. His strong performances earned him unanimous All-Pro recognition as well.
The Coach of the Year accolade was awarded to New England's Mike Vrabel, who edged out Jacksonville's Liam Coen in a competitive vote. Vrabel, previously honored in 2021 with the Titans, led the Patriots from last place to first in the AFC East, marking a significant 10-win turnaround during his inaugural New England season. The award positions Vrabel to pursue his first Super Bowl title as a head coach in the upcoming championship game. Coen's recognition followed his leadership in taking the Jaguars to a division title and 13 wins in his first head coaching season.
The Comeback Player of the Year award was claimed by Christian McCaffrey, who made a significant return from severe injuries. Playing all games after sustaining bilateral Achilles tendinitis and a season-ending knee injury in prior years, McCaffrey accumulated 2,126 yards from scrimmage and scored 17 touchdowns. His achievement marked the first running back to win the comeback award in 24 years.
In rookie accolades, Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger was the decisive Defensive Rookie of the Year winner, gaining 40 first-place votes. Selected in the second round, Schwesinger's accomplishment is notable as he joins a limited group of non-first-round picks to win this award recently. On the offensive side, Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan captured Offensive Rookie of the Year with 41 first-place votes, recording 70 catches, 1,014 yards, and seven touchdowns.
Assistant Coach of the Year honors went to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who earned 17 first-place votes during his initial season back with the team. His strategic inputs presumably contributed to the Patriots' significant improvement.
The awards voting process involved 50 media members experienced in NFL coverage, tallying votes before the commencement of the playoffs. The scoring system assigned 10 points for each first-place vote, and descending points for votes from second to fifth place, ensuring a weighted and comprehensive evaluation of candidates across categories.
Stafford's MVP-winning season featured an NFL-leading 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. His passer rating was second only to Maye, who led the league with 113.5. Maye also set a completion percentage record of 72, further illustrating the competitive nature between these two quarterbacks.
Stafford earned first-team All-Pro designation for the first time in his 17-year career, an indication of peak performance. The Rams' run ended in the NFC championship game with a loss to Seattle, while Maye continues to prepare for his Super Bowl appearance.
Garrett's Defensive Player of the Year honor completes an impressive season in which he surpassed the previous sack records by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt during the last regular season game. His comments emphasized the importance of team effort, coaching, and organizational support in achieving these milestones.
The Offensive Player of the Year trophy acknowledged Smith-Njigba's breakout season, elevating his profile as one of the NFL's top wide receivers. He edged McCaffrey by a relatively narrow margin in points, illustrating McCaffrey's continued impact despite injury setbacks.
Regarding coaching accolades, Vrabel’s award came with a split of first-place votes against Coen, with other finalists including Seattle's Mike Macdonald, Chicago's Ben Johnson, and San Francisco's Kyle Shanahan demonstrating the depth of coaching talent across the league.
The event underscored a season of exceptional individual and team performances, with players and coaches alike earning distinctions reflective of their contributions. As the NFL moves into the Super Bowl, these recognitions highlight the evolving dynamics within the league’s competitive landscape.