Veteran Quarterback Matthew Stafford Claims Coveted NFL MVP Honor
In a ceremony that celebrated the pinnacle of professional football achievement, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was named the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player during the NFL Honors event on Thursday, February 5, 2026, in San Francisco. The 38-year-old signal-caller secured the prestigious award in a tightly contested race, receiving 24 of 50 first-place votes from the national media panel.
A Close Victory and a Major Announcement
Stafford narrowly defeated runner-up Drake Maye, who garnered 23 first-place votes, to claim the MVP distinction. In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Stafford made a significant announcement regarding his future, declaring his intention to play another season with the Los Angeles Rams. "I can’t wait for you to cheer me on next year when we’re out there kicking (butt)," Stafford told his family, whom he thanked as his "unbelievable cheerleaders."
The final voting tally showed Stafford finishing with 366 points to Maye's 361, making it one of the closest MVP races in recent memory. The 2024 MVP, Josh Allen, received two first-place votes and placed third with 91 points, while Christian McCaffrey (71 points) and Trevor Lawrence (49 points) rounded out the top five.
Complete List of 2026 NFL Honors Award Winners
The annual NFL Honors ceremony, which debuted in 2012, recognizes the league's top performers from the past season. This year's event featured several notable winners across multiple categories:
- AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett, who set a season record with 23 sacks and received all 50 first-place votes.
- AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who edged out Christian McCaffrey after catching 119 passes for a league-leading 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025.
- AP NFL Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots, who beat out Jacksonville’s Liam Coen after leading a remarkable 10-win turnaround in his first season with the team.
- AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey, who returned from a season-ending 2024 injury to play every game for the 49ers in 2025, accumulating 2,126 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns.
- AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
- AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Tetairoa McMillan of the Carolina Panthers, who caught 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns.
- AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year: Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
- Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year: Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner, honored for his charitable work with the Phenia Mae Fund supporting stroke research and rehabilitation.
Voting Process and Historical Context
The award winners were selected by a panel of 50 media members who cover the NFL, with voting completed before the playoffs and tabulated by the accounting firm Lutz and Carr. Voters ranked their top five choices for each of the eight AP NFL awards, with a points system assigning 10 points for a first-place vote, and 5, 3, 2, and 1 points for second through fifth place, respectively.
Myles Garrett's unanimous selection as Defensive Player of the Year marked his second time winning the award, having previously claimed it in 2023. Mike Vrabel also secured his second Coach of the Year honor, adding to the one he won in 2021 with the Tennessee Titans. As Vrabel prepares his Patriots for a Super Bowl matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, this latest accolade underscores his immediate impact in New England.
The 2026 NFL Honors ceremony not only celebrated individual excellence but also set the stage for an exciting upcoming season, highlighted by Matthew Stafford's commitment to continue his storied career with the Rams as the reigning Most Valuable Player.
