NFL Honors Awards 2026: List of winners as Patriots and Rams lead the spotlight

The NFL celebrated its biggest stars in San Francisco, and the results reshaped several legacies in one electric night. Veterans cemented greatness. Rising talents announced their arrival. Records fell. Comebacks inspired. By the time the curtain dropped ahead of Super Bowl LX, the league had honored both dominance and resilience in equal measure.

From a 37-year-old quarterback rewriting history to a defensive force smashing sack records, this year’s NFL Honors delivered clarity about who truly defined the 2025 season. Here is a sharp look at the night’s biggest winners and why their impact goes beyond a trophy.

NFL Honors 2026: The stars who defined the season

1. MVP – Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Stafford delivered a masterpiece season with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. He also posted a remarkable 5.8 touchdown to interception ratio. At 37, he led the league in every major passing category and threw 28 straight touchdowns without a pick during one stunning stretch. Few seasons at his age compare.

2. Defensive Player of the Year – Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Garrett broke the single-season sack record with 23. Even with constant double teams, he stayed relentless. Browns defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire summed it up best: "When you got that much attention for you every week and you're still putting up the numbers that he's putting up, that's pretty special."

3. Offensive Rookie of the Year – Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

McMillan topped all rookies with 1,014 receiving yards and gave Bryce Young a true No. 1 option. Young said it clearly: "He was elite,'' and added, "He's a special player.''

4. Comeback Player of the Year – Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

After injury setbacks, McCaffrey returned with 2,126 scrimmage yards. Coach Kyle Shanahan praised him: "I think this was one of the most impressive seasons by an individual player ever."

5. Coach of the Year – Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots

Vrabel engineered a 10-win turnaround and a Super Bowl run. Stefon Diggs captured the locker room mood: "Probably the best coach I've ever had," and added, "I don't know how he does it. He got me to buy in, I'll tell you that."

Add in Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Offensive Player of the Year campaign, Joe Thuney’s Protector honor, and Carson Schwesinger’s rookie defensive surge, and the message is clear. The NFL’s future looks fierce.

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