Matthew Stafford walked away with the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award and a declaration that he will return to the Los Angeles Rams for another season.
Stafford edged Drake Maye for the MVP award on Thursday night in the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003.
Stafford received 24 of 50 first-place votes while Maye got 23. But Maye has a chance to go home this week with a Vince Lombardi Trophy: he leads the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Stafford, who turns 38 on Saturday, wants another opportunity to try to win his second Super Bowl ring with the Rams.
“Oh yeah, I’ll be back. 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,” he said.
Stafford brought his four daughters – dressed in identical black-and-white dresses – to the stage to accept the award. He thanked his team and saved his wife and daughters for last: “You’re unbelievable cheerleaders for me. 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.”
Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 yards passing and 46 TDs. He threw eight picks and finished second to Maye with a 109.2 passer rating. Stafford and the Rams lost to Seattle in the NFC championship game. Maye had 4,394 yards passing, 31 TDs and eight picks. The second-year pro led the league in passer rating (113.5) and completion percentage (72).
Myles Garrett was a unanimous choice for the Defensive Player of the Year award after setting a season record for sacks with 23. Garrett received all 50 first-place votes to become the ninth player to win DPOY multiple times and second unanimous choice following JJ Watt, who did it in 2014. Cleveland’s edge rusher also was a unanimous All-Pro selection. Garrett previously won the award in 2023.
“It doesn’t just start with me,” he said. “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 teammates to help get me up here. It’s not possible without them.”
Seattle’s All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba beat San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey for the Offensive Player of the Year award. Smith-Njigba caught 119 passes and led the league with 1,793 yards receiving. He also had 10 TDs.
New England’s Mike Vrabel beat out Jacksonville’s Liam Coen for the Coach of the Year award, becoming the seventh coach to win it with two different teams. Vrabel can get his first Super Bowl title as a head coach on Sunday if the Patriots beat the Seahawks. He led the Patriots from worst to first in the AFC East, a 10-win turnaround in his first season in New England.
McCaffrey became the first running back to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 24 years. McCaffrey played in just four games in 2024 because of injury. He returned to play every game for the 49ers this season and had 2,126 yards from scrimmage and 17 TDs.
Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger was a runaway winner for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, while Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was named Offensive Rookie of the Year.