SAN FRANCISCO — The glitz of Hollywood met the grit of the gridiron Thursday night at the Palace of Fine Arts, where the NFL’s brightest stars gathered for the 15th annual NFL Honors. With the Golden Gate Bridge looming in the distance and Super Bowl LX just three days away, the league celebrated a 2025 season defined by shattered records, stunning resurrections, and the rise of a new generation of talent.
While the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks remained sequestered in their team hotels, mentally preparing for Sunday’s showdown at Levi’s Stadium, their presence was felt throughout the auditorium. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels swept the coaching awards, underscoring the remarkable turnaround that has brought New England back to the precipice of a dynasty.
However, the night belonged to two veterans who redefined what is possible for players in the latter stages of their careers: Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.
The Stafford Renaissance: A Career-Defining MVP
At 37 years old, Matthew Stafford has finally claimed the one individual accolade that has eluded him for 17 seasons: The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award.
Stafford’s victory was not a lifetime achievement award given out of sentimentality; it was earned through one of the most statistically dominant seasons by a quarterback in league history. The Rams signal-caller received 366 points in the voting, narrowly edging out Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in one of the tightest races in recent memory.
“I’m an old guy now,” Stafford joked during his acceptance speech, holding the heavy bronze trophy. “But I feel like I’m playing the best football of my life. To the guys in that locker room, this is yours as much as it is mine. You kept me young.”
The numbers support his claim. Stafford finished the 2025 regular season with a league-leading 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. Perhaps most impressively, he orchestrated the offense with surgical precision, posting a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 5.8. His mid-season tear, where he threw 28 consecutive touchdowns without an interception across an eight-game stretch, set a new NFL record, breaking a mark that had stood since the league began tracking play-by-play data in 1978.
Stafford becomes only the third quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 4,500 yards and 45 touchdowns in a single season, joining Peyton Manning and Patrick Mahomes. For a player who spent the first dozen years of his career battling through losing seasons in Detroit, the MVP award serves as the ultimate validation of his elite status.
“It’s his presence, it’s his steadiness, it’s his calm in the midst of chaos,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said of his quarterback. “There is no way you can measure the importance and the influence of the impact he makes. He is the heart and soul of this organization.”
Myles Garrett: The Unstoppable Force
While Stafford controlled the game from the pocket, Myles Garrett wrecked it from the edge. The Cleveland Browns superstar took home his second Defensive Player of the Year award after a campaign that can only be described as historic.
Garrett finished the season with 23 sacks, officially breaking the single-season record previously shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt (22.5). The record-breaking sack came in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals, a strip-sack of Joe Burrow that perfectly encapsulated Garrett’s blend of speed, power, and technical mastery.
“I chased that number for a long time,” Garrett said, visibly emotional on stage. “To stand alone at the top of that mountain, knowing the legends who climbed it before me, is a blessing I can’t fully describe.”
Garrett’s dominance went beyond just sack numbers. He was a constant resident in opposing backfields, leading the league with 33 tackles for loss—the second-most by any player since 2000, trailing only J.J. Watt’s 2012 season. Remarkably, Garrett achieved these numbers while being the most double-teamed player in the league. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he faced a double team or chip block on 39.5% of his pass-rush snaps, a figure that makes his production even more absurd.
“When you get that much attention every week and you’re still putting up the numbers he’s putting up, that’s pretty special,” said Browns defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire. “We are watching a Hall of Famer in his prime.”
The Patriot Way 2.0: Vrabel and McDaniels Honored
The shadow of the impending Super Bowl loomed large when the coaching awards were announced. The New England Patriots, fresh off a 14-3 season and an AFC Championship, saw the architects of their resurgence rewarded.
Mike Vrabel was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year, marking the second time he has won the award (previously with the Tennessee Titans in 2021). Vrabel’s return to New England—where he won three Super Bowls as a player—has revitalized a franchise that had struggled to find its footing in the post-Belichick era. Inheriting a 4-13 team, Vrabel instilled a culture of discipline and physicality that propelled the Patriots to the AFC’s No. 2 seed.
“This award belongs to the building,” Vrabel said, deflecting praise in typical fashion. “It belongs to the staff, the scouts, and the players who bought in when it wasn’t easy. We have one more job to do this Sunday, but I’m proud of what we’ve built so far.”
Vrabel’s offensive counterpart, Josh McDaniels, was named Assistant Coach of the Year. McDaniels, in his third stint with the Patriots, was credited with the rapid development of second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Under McDaniels’ tutelage, Maye finished second in MVP voting and led an offense that ranked in the top five in scoring. The synergy between Vrabel’s defensive mind and McDaniels’ play-calling has been the catalyst for New England’s rapid ascent.
Rookies on the Rise: McMillan and Schwesinger
The future of the league was also on display, with two standout rookies claiming top honors.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year. The first-round pick out of Arizona was a revelation for a Panthers offense desperate for playmakers. McMillan led all rookies with 1,014 receiving yards and 70 receptions, providing a reliable safety valve and a dynamic deep threat for quarterback Bryce Young.
“T-Mac changed our offense the day he walked in,” Young said earlier in the week. “He’s elite. He’s special. He’s exactly who we thought he was when we drafted him.”
McMillan’s ability to win contested catches and create separation made him an instant star. He becomes the second Panther to win the award, joining Cam Newton (2011).
On the defensive side, the award went to an unlikely hero: Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger. A mid-round pick who was initially expected to contribute primarily on special teams, Schwesinger was thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries and never looked back.
He finished the season leading all rookies with 146 tackles and 11 tackles for loss. His instincts and sideline-to-sideline speed became the glue for a Browns defense that ranked among the league’s best. Schwesinger is the first Browns linebacker to win Defensive Rookie of the Year since Chip Banks in 1982.
“I just wanted to do my job,” Schwesinger said. “To be up here with guys like Myles [Garrett] is surreal. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to play this game.”
The Comeback King: Christian McCaffrey
Few stories in the 2025 season were as compelling as the return of Christian McCaffrey. The San Francisco 49ers running back, who missed significant time in 2024 due to lingering injuries, reminded the world why he is considered the most versatile weapon in football.
McCaffrey was named the Comeback Player of the Year after a season where he led the league with 2,126 scrimmage yards. He was the engine of the 49ers’ offense, rushing for over 1,200 yards and adding nearly 900 yards as a receiver.
“I think this was one of the most impressive seasons by an individual player ever,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. “Considering what he went through to get back on the field, the rehab, the doubt… to come back and be the best player on the field every Sunday? That’s legendary.”
McCaffrey’s win highlights a trend of star players overcoming adversity to reclaim their elite status. His speech focused on the mental toll of injury rehab, offering a poignant reminder of the fragility of an NFL career.
Protecting the Game: Joe Thuney Makes History
This year’s ceremony featured a new award: Protector of the Year, designed to honor the league’s best offensive lineman. The inaugural winner was Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney.
Thuney, a quiet professional who has long been considered one of the best interior linemen in football, was pivotal in the Bears’ offensive resurgence. He anchored a line that allowed the third-fewest sacks in the league (24) and helped rookie quarterback Caleb Williams set franchise passing records.
“Offensive linemen don’t usually get the spotlight,” Thuney said. “So this is for all the guys in the trenches who do the dirty work so the skill guys can shine. It’s an honor to be the first one to hold this trophy.”
The creation of the award addresses a long-standing criticism that offensive linemen are underrepresented during awards season. Thuney’s selection was praised by analysts who noted his consistency, durability, and technical flawlessness.
Man of the Year: Bobby Wagner
The night’s most prestigious honor, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, was presented to Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Wagner, who will lead his team’s defense in the Super Bowl on Sunday, was recognized for his tireless work in the Seattle community. His foundation has focused on addressing homelessness and stroke awareness, causes personal to him.
“Football is what I do, it’s not who I am,” Wagner said, delivering the night’s most moving speech. “To be mentioned in the same breath as Walter Payton is the greatest honor of my life. This award is for the city of Seattle and for everyone trying to make their corner of the world a little bit better.”
Wagner’s win adds a layer of emotion to Sunday’s game. He becomes one of the few players to win the Man of the Year award and play in the Super Bowl in the same week, joining the likes of Andrew Whitworth.
Super Bowl LX Preview: A Clash of Titans
With the awards distributed, the focus shifts entirely to Sunday. Super Bowl LX promises to be a battle of contrasting styles and historic narratives.
The Matchup: Seattle Seahawks (NFC Champions) vs. New England Patriots (AFC Champions)
Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Time: Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
The game features a compelling coaching storyline. Mike Mike Macdonald, in his second year as the Seahawks’ head coach, has built a defensive juggernaut reminiscent of the “Legion of Boom” era. Led by Man of the Year Bobby Wagner and a secondary that led the NFC in interceptions, the Seahawks allowed the fewest points in the league this season.
On the other side, Mike Vrabel is looking to etch his name in history. If the Patriots win, Vrabel will become the first head coach to win Coach of the Year and the Super Bowl in the same season since Bill Belichick accomplished the feat in 2003. He would also become the first person to win a Super Bowl as both a player and a head coach for the same franchise.
Quarterback Duel:
The game pits veteran savvy against youthful exuberance. Seattle’s Geno Smith, enjoying a late-career peak, has been efficient and clutch, guiding the Seahawks through a gauntlet of NFC heavyweights. He faces New England’s Drake Maye, the second-year sensation who finished runner-up for MVP. Maye’s arm talent and mobility present a unique challenge for Macdonald’s complex defensive schemes.
Key Battle:
The game may be decided in the trenches. The Patriots’ offensive line, which has been stout all year, will need to contain a Seattle pass rush that features a deep rotation of edge rushers. Conversely, the Seahawks’ offense must find a way to move the ball against a Patriots defense that mirrors Vrabel’s intense personality—disciplined, physical, and opportunistic.
The Stakes:
For Seattle, a win would secure the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy and validate the post-Carroll era rebuild. For New England, a victory would signal the official start of a new dynasty, moving them past the Brady-Belichick shadow and into the Maye-Vrabel era.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 NFL Honors served as a perfect appetizer for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the season. From Matthew Stafford’s career-capping MVP to Myles Garrett’s record-shattering dominance, the evening celebrated the individual brilliance that makes the sport so captivating.
But as the tuxedos are packed away and the players retreat to their locker rooms, the individual accolades fade into the background. For the Patriots and Seahawks, the only trophy that matters is the silver one waiting at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.
“It’s nice to be recognized,” Mike Vrabel said as he left the stage Thursday night. “But nobody remembers who won Coach of the Year. They remember who won the Super Bowl.”
On Sunday, the world will find out.