Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, was more than just a showcase of the NFL's best teams—it became the final word in a season-long MVP debate, with the Seattle Seahawks decisively defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 on February 8, 2026. But as the confetti settled, it was Matthew Stafford, not one of the Super Bowl quarterbacks, who stood tallest in the league’s hierarchy, having just been crowned the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in the closest race in over two decades.
Richard Sherman, always one for a headline, didn’t mince words during Seattle’s Super Bowl triumph. "So when the MVP arguments are had," Sherman wrote on X. "This tape should end that discussion. Stafford out on a master class against this same defense that Maye has 18 yards against currently with 7:34 left in the 3rd Q. He has had a great season and will have an MVP in his future but it was Stafford year." Sherman’s comments echoed the sentiment around the league: Stafford’s season-long excellence was undeniable, even as Drake Maye, the Patriots’ young star, put up respectable numbers in the big game.
Maye ultimately finished the Super Bowl with 295 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, completing 27 of 43 passes and losing a fumble. It was a tough outing against a ferocious Seahawks defense, and while the numbers were solid, they weren’t enough to overcome Seattle’s relentless attack. Meanwhile, Stafford’s own playoff journey had ended in heartbreak just weeks earlier, but not before he delivered a tour de force against Seattle in the NFC Championship Game, throwing for 374 yards and three touchdowns on 22-of-35 passing. The Rams may have fallen short 31-27, but Stafford’s performance left an indelible mark on voters and fans alike.
The MVP race itself was nothing short of historic. Announced at NFL Honors on February 6 in San Francisco, Stafford narrowly edged Maye by a margin of just five points—366 to 361—garnering 24 first-place votes to Maye’s 23. The contest was the tightest since 2003, when Peyton Manning and Steve McNair shared the award. The panel of 50 media members, who submitted their votes before the playoffs began, weighed every snap, every touchdown, and every critical moment from the regular season. Josh Allen, the 2024 MVP, received two first-place votes, with Justin Herbert picking up the other, but neither came close to the Stafford-Maye duel.
Stafford’s numbers this season were nothing short of staggering: he led the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, threw just eight interceptions, and finished second in passer rating (109.2), just behind Maye’s 113.5. Maye, for his part, completed 72% of his passes, threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns, and matched Stafford’s interception tally. The statistical duel between the veteran and the rising star was as tight as the voting itself, and it set the stage for a season-long debate that may continue for years to come.
But Stafford didn’t just take home the hardware—he also ended speculation about his future. "Oh yeah, I'll be back," Stafford said on stage, flanked by his four daughters. "It was such an amazing season, and I play with such a great group of guys and great group of coaches that I was lucky enough to finish this season healthy, and I want to make sure that I go out there and see what happens next year." For Rams fans, that was music to their ears: the 38-year-old is set to return for another campaign, chasing a second Super Bowl ring after a season that saw him earn first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his 17-year career.
While the MVP debate raged on, Super Bowl MVP odds were a hot topic in the days leading up to the big game. According to DraftKings Sportsbook as of February 8, Sam Darnold was the favorite at +120, followed by Maye at +240, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker III rounding out the top contenders. Darnold’s postseason play for Seattle was nothing short of spectacular—he threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the NFC title game, and added another efficient outing in the Divisional Round against San Francisco. Darnold’s ability to outduel Stafford in the NFC Championship was a pivotal moment in Seattle’s journey to the Lombardi Trophy.
The Patriots, meanwhile, rode Maye’s arm throughout the postseason, though his numbers were up and down. In the divisional round win over Houston, Maye completed 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns, but also fumbled four times, losing two. In the AFC Championship, he managed just 86 passing yards but added 65 on the ground and a rushing touchdown, showing flashes of the dual-threat ability that made him such a coveted prospect.
Seattle’s offensive firepower extended beyond Darnold. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who would later be named NFL Offensive Player of the Year, racked up 172 receiving yards and two touchdowns in two postseason games, while Kenneth Walker III tallied 178 rushing yards, four touchdowns, and 78 receiving yards. Both players were instrumental in Seattle’s playoff run and factored heavily into the MVP odds conversation.
The NFL Honors ceremony was a celebration of excellence across the board. Myles Garrett was a unanimous choice for Defensive Player of the Year after setting a new season record with 23 sacks. Smith-Njigba’s Offensive Player of the Year nod came after a league-leading 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Mike Vrabel, in his first season with the Patriots, took home Coach of the Year honors after leading New England from worst to first in the AFC East—a 10-win turnaround. Christian McCaffrey was recognized as Comeback Player of the Year, returning from injury to post over 2,100 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns for the 49ers. Carson Schwesinger and Tetairoa McMillan rounded out the top rookie honors, while Josh McDaniels earned Assistant Coach of the Year in his third stint with New England.
With the 2025 season now in the books, the league’s brightest stars have been recognized, and the debates—about MVP, about legacies, about what might have been—will continue. But for Matthew Stafford, the close-fought MVP race and his commitment to another season ensure that his story is far from finished. The NFL’s next chapter is already taking shape, and it promises to be every bit as compelling as the last.