Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has finally won MVP honors, beating out New England’s Drake Maye, Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence and San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey.
‘Kelly, you’re unbelievable,’ Stafford said, accepting the award by thanking his wife. ‘What you do for our family, the way you support me, the way you support these kids.’
Significantly, the 37-year-old Stafford also took the moment to reveal his planned return for the 2026 season.
‘You’re unbelievable cheerleaders for me,’ he told his four identically dressed daughters, who’d joined him on stage. ‘I appreciate it. I am so happy to have you at the games on the sideline with me, and I can’t wait for you to cheer me on next year when we’re out there kicking ass.’
Although his season came to a bitter end with a loss to Seattle in the NFC championship, Stafford spent the 2025 regular season leading the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, while finishing second to Maye with a 109.2 passer rating.
In the end, Stafford edged the Patriots quarterback with 24 first-place votes to Maye’s 23 in the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003.
The Rams’ Matthew Stafford arrives at the NFL honors with his family before winning MVP
Stafford later thanked his family for their support in returning to the Rams for the 2026 season
Hosted by Mad Men star John Hamm at San Francisco’s beautiful Palace of Fine Arts, the NFL Honors were attended by celebrities like Druski, Jeff Ross, Russell Wilson and wife Ciara, Michael Strahan, Jason Kelce and actor/comedian Bob Odenkirk, who portrayed Chicago Bears fan, Pope Leo XIV, in a brief bit.
‘We still ended up losing to Stafford and a bunch of loonies from LA, and I don’t have any inside information, but they’re all going to hell!’ Odenkirk joked of the Rams.
Later, comedian Tiffany Haddish complimented Rams receiver Puka Nacua’s new haircut by telling him she’d be his ‘first rich baby’s mama.’
Then, when announcing NFL Coach of the Year, she mistakenly referred to New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel as ‘Mike Verbal.’
Fortunately, Vrabel was with his Maye and the rest of the Patriots in San Jose ahead of Super Bowl LX, so he was spared any embarrassment.
Vrabel (not ‘Verbal’) previously won the award with Tennessee in 2021.
The event was hosted by actor John Hamm at San Francisco’s beautiful Palace of Fine Arts
Tiffany Haddish mistakenly referred to New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel as ‘Verbal’
As for the other winners, there weren’t too many surprises.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second time, which was expected after be broke Michael Strahan’s sack record in 2025. The other nominees included edge rushers such as Houston’s Will Anderson, Green Bay’s Micah Parsons and Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson as well as Denver linebacker Nik Bonitto.
Seattle Seahawks All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba beat out McCaffrey for the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, while Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger earned AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Later, when a single questioned failed to materialize for Schwesinger at the post-award press conference, the UCLA product let out a subtle ‘yes!’, which drew some laughs from busy reporters.
Bobby Wagner, the veteran Washington Commanders linebacker, was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year for his work launching the Penia Mae Fund
Carolina Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan won Offensive Rookie of the Year, beating New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson, New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and New Orleans Saints signal caller Tyler Shough. Despite inconsistencies with Carolina’s offense in 2025, McMillan still had 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns on 70 receptions.
McCaffrey did earn Comeback Player of the Year honors after bouncing back from a season-ending knee injury in 2024 to appear in every game in 2025 and rush for 1,202 yards along the way.
The 29-year-old was quick to thank his wife and newborn daughter, among other family members.
‘My wife, Olivia, you are my rock this entire year,’ McCaffrey said. ‘Thank you so much for sticking with me, supporting me better than I could have ever imagined. Then my super power, my daughter Colette, you don’t understand this now and I appreciate you more than you know.
Bears guard Joe Thuney won NFL Protector of the Year honors in his first year in Chicago, beating Denver left tackle Garett Bolles and his teammate, guard Quinn Meinerz, Miami center Aaron Brewer, Kansas City center Creed Humphrey, and Detroit right tackle Penei Sewell.
Bobby Wagner, the veteran Washington Commanders linebacker, was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year for his work launching the Penia Mae Fund, which he launched to support stroke awareness in honor of his late mother.
