Stafford Edges Maye For MVP As NFL Honors Season27s Best In San Francisco

The glitz and glamour of the NFL Honors shone brightly at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on February 5, 2026, just days before Super Bowl LX would take center stage at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. As the league’s elite gathered, anticipation was sky-high—not just for the upcoming clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, but for the annual awards that recognize the season’s most outstanding performances across the gridiron.

All eyes were on Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who capped off his 17th NFL season by capturing the league’s Most Valuable Player award. In one of the tightest MVP races in recent memory, Stafford edged out New England’s rising star Drake Maye by a single first-place vote—24 to 23—according to the Associated Press. The voting, conducted by a nationwide panel of 50 media members, was so close it echoed the legendary 2003 tie between Peyton Manning and Steve McNair. Stafford’s numbers were nothing short of extraordinary: he led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, paired with a league-best 5.8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His midseason run of 28 consecutive touchdown passes without an interception, the longest such streak since play-by-play tracking began in 1978, left fans and analysts in awe. ESPN Research notes that only Drew Brees in 2011 failed to win MVP after posting similar stats—every other quarterback to hit those marks took home the trophy.

Stafford, who also earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time, finished the season with 366 points in MVP voting, just ahead of Maye’s 361. Buffalo’s Josh Allen, last year’s MVP, placed third with 91 points. But while Stafford’s Rams fell to Seattle in the NFC Championship, Maye still had a shot at glory with the Patriots in the Super Bowl. As the league’s elder statesman, Stafford’s achievement was especially sweet; at 37, he became a beacon of longevity and excellence.

On the defensive side, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was a unanimous choice for Defensive Player of the Year, securing all 50 first-place votes. Garrett’s season was the stuff of legends: his 23 sacks broke the single-season record previously shared by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt (22.5 sacks each). Garrett’s dominance was even more impressive considering he was double-teamed or chipped on nearly 40% of his pass rushes, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Browns defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire summed it up best: "When you got that much attention for you every week and you're still putting up the numbers that he's putting up, that's pretty special." Garrett’s 33 tackles for loss were the second most since 2000, trailing only J.J. Watt’s 39 in 2012. In his acceptance speech, Garrett was quick to credit his teammates and coaches: “It doesn’t just start with me. It starts with great teammates, a great organization, great coaches being able to put us in position. I’m thankful for every single one of my teammates to help get me up here. It’s not possible without them.”

The Offensive Player of the Year award went to Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who turned heads with a franchise-record 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. In a league known for its run-heavy offenses, Smith-Njigba’s explosive output was even more remarkable. He hauled in 119 catches, led the NFL in receiving yards, and averaged an eye-popping 10.9 yards per target. Smith-Njigba’s postseason heroics—10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Championship—were pivotal in sending Seattle to the Super Bowl. He narrowly beat out San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey for the honor, earning 14 first-place votes to McCaffrey’s 12.

Speaking of McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers’ do-it-all running back earned the Comeback Player of the Year award, becoming the first running back in 24 years to receive the honor. After being limited to just four games in 2024 due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis and a knee injury, McCaffrey returned with a vengeance. He racked up 2,126 scrimmage yards—second in the league—and 17 total touchdowns, starting all 19 games for the 49ers. His 413 touches led the NFL, and his durability was a cornerstone for San Francisco’s 12-5 campaign. Coach Kyle Shanahan was effusive in his praise: “I think this was one of the most impressive seasons by an individual player ever. Just in terms of what a warrior and man he is week in, week out. ... He commits himself 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get his body ready to go out there and compete. I've never been around anything like that.” McCaffrey himself called 2025 "one of the hardest years of my life," but his perseverance paid off in spades.

The Rookie of the Year honors highlighted the league’s next generation of stars. Carolina Panthers wideout Tetairoa McMillan took home Offensive Rookie of the Year after setting a franchise rookie record with 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. “He was elite,” Panthers quarterback Bryce Young said. “He’s a special player.” McMillan, ever the perfectionist, described his season as "average," a testament to his high standards and drive for greatness. On the defensive side, Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger was a runaway winner for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Drafted 33rd overall, Schwesinger led all rookies with 146 tackles and 11 tackles for loss, serving as the signal-caller for Cleveland’s fourth-ranked defense. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz lauded his command and leadership: “It’s a very difficult position, and he’s been right in the middle of it, and it’s been fun to watch because not only does he do all that stuff well, but he has great command. He’s a great leader for us.”

The inaugural Protector of the Year award went to Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney, who didn’t allow a single sack and played nearly every snap for the Bears. Thuney’s presence helped quarterback Caleb Williams take 44 fewer sacks than his rookie year, underscoring the Bears’ offensive resurgence and playoff push.

At the coaching level, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was named Coach of the Year after orchestrating a dramatic turnaround—a 10-win improvement from the previous season, leading the Patriots to a 14-3 record and a Super Bowl berth. Vrabel, who previously won the award with the Titans, became just the seventh coach to win with two different teams. His innovative "4 Hs" approach—history, hero, heartbreak, and hope—fostered a deep sense of unity among players. Star receiver Stefon Diggs declared, “Probably the best coach I've ever had. I don't know how he does it. He got me to buy in, I'll tell you that.”

Josh McDaniels, back for his third stint as Patriots offensive coordinator, was honored as Assistant Coach of the Year. His work with quarterback Drake Maye propelled the Patriots’ offense to third in the league in total yards per game. Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs credited the partnership: “You have an experienced coach who has done it at the highest level, who has seen the progression of [Tom Brady] come in and become the greatest ever. And you have a curious and wide-eyed young player who's very talented at football coming off a year where you don't win a lot, so you're like 'I'll do whatever if it means we'll be good.' I think that's a good combination.”

As the NFL turns its attention to Super Bowl LX, the league’s brightest stars and sharpest minds have already been celebrated. With so much talent on display, the stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in football history—one that fans across the world are eager to witness unfold.