At the NFL Honors ceremony on February 5, 2026, held in San Francisco, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was awarded the NFL MVP. He narrowly surpassed New England quarterback Drake Maye in what became one of the closest MVP votes in many years, securing 24 first-place votes out of 50 and a total of 366 points, while Maye received 23 first-place votes and finished with 361 points.
Historic Close Competition Reminiscent of Past Co-Winners
This closely contested MVP decision was historic in nature, recalling the rare moment in 2003 when Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were named co-winners. Stafford, aged 37, earned the distinction of becoming the oldest NFL player to win his first MVP in his 17th season and stands as the third-oldest MVP winner behind Tom Brady in 2017 and Aaron Rodgers in 2001. As he accepted the award, Stafford was joined on stage by his four young daughters, who wore matching black and white dresses, highlighting a personal milestone along with his professional achievement.
Stafford’s Exceptional Season Propelled Rams’ Success
Stafford’s performance this season was a driving force for the Los Angeles Rams. Leading the NFL, he threw for 4,707 passing yards with an average of 276.9 yards per game and a total of 46 passing touchdowns against just eight interceptions. His passer rating of 109.2 ranked second in the league, and he was the leader in first downs with 236. Offensively, Stafford’s leadership helped the Rams lead the league in scoring with 30.5 points per game, finishing the regular season with a 12-5 record and securing the fifth seed in the NFC playoffs.
Playoff Outcome and Stafford’s Future Plans
The Rams’ season ended after a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, stopping them short of the Super Bowl. Following this, questions arose about Stafford’s future in the NFL. However, Stafford expressed clear intentions to return for his 18th season, stating,
“Hopefully, I’m not at this event and we’re getting ready for another game at SoFi,”
followed by,
“I’ll see you guys next year.”
Notably, the Rams’ home stadium is scheduled to host the Super Bowl in 2027, adding significance to his commitment.
