2026 NFL Honors: Who Won the League's Biggest Awards?

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2026 NFL Honors: Who Won the League's Biggest Awards?

San Francisco, CA – The National Football League's elite converged at the historic Palace of Fine Arts for the 2026 NFL Honors, an annual ceremony celebrating the season's most outstanding players and coaches. In a night filled with anticipation and accolades, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was crowned the Most Valuable Player (MVP), capping a remarkable individual season that solidified his legacy among the league's all-time greats. The announcement was met with widespread acclaim, recognizing Stafford's pivotal role in the Rams' success.

The evening kicked off with defensive prowess being honored, as Cleveland Browns' star defensive end Myles Garrett was awarded Defensive Player of the Year. This marks a significant achievement for Garrett, who has established himself as one of the most dominant forces on defense in recent memory. His relentless pressure and game-changing plays were instrumental for the Browns throughout the season. The ceremony also highlighted emerging talent, with Carolina Panthers' wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, showcasing his immediate impact and promising future in the league. The newly introduced Protector of the Year award, celebrating excellence in offensive line play, was claimed by a standout guard from the Chicago Bears, underscoring the importance of protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes.

Beyond individual brilliance, the NFL Honors also recognized resilience and comebacks. San Francisco 49ers' versatile running back Christian McCaffrey was named Comeback Player of the Year, a testament to his ability to overcome adversity and return to peak performance, significantly contributing to his team's efforts. Leadership on the sidelines was also celebrated, with New England Patriots' head coach Mike Vrabel receiving the Coach of the Year award for guiding his team to a successful season. His assistant, Josh McDaniels, was recognized as Assistant Coach of the Year, highlighting the strong coaching synergy within the Patriots' organization. Furthermore, the top rookie defender award went to linebacker Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns, signaling a bright future for the team's defensive unit.

The centerpiece award, MVP, was presented to Matthew Stafford, who, at 37 years old and in his 17th NFL season, delivered a masterclass performance. He led the league in passing yards with 4,707, threw a league-high 46 touchdowns, and boasted an impressive touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio of 5.8. Stafford's statistical dominance extended beyond mere numbers; he outshone his closest competitor, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, by a significant margin, throwing for 313 more yards and 15 more touchdowns. This season marks the eighth instance in NFL history where a quarterback has achieved at least 4,500 passing yards and 45 touchdowns. Notably, six of the previous seven quarterbacks to reach this milestone have won the MVP award, with Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees being the only exceptions in 2011 when both achieved the feat.

Stafford's remarkable season was further underscored by his incredible ball security. He navigated an eight-game stretch in the middle of the season without throwing a single interception, during which he threw 28 consecutive touchdown passes. According to Elias Sports Bureau, this streak of touchdown passes without an interception is the longest recorded since play-by-play data began being tracked in 1978, an extraordinary feat of consistency and precision.

On the defensive side, Myles Garrett's Defensive Player of the Year award was well-deserved. Widely regarded as the premier pass rusher of his era, Garrett recorded a league-leading 23 sacks, breaking the single-season record previously held jointly by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt. His dominance was evident even when facing constant double teams and chips, as he was schemed against on 39.5% of his pass rushes, the highest rate among edge rushers, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Despite the attention he drew, Garrett also excelled in other defensive metrics, recording 33 tackles for loss, the second-highest total since 2000, trailing only J.J. Watt's 39 in 2012. His defensive line coach, Jacques Cesaire, commented on his performance: "When you have that much attention on you every week and you're still putting up the numbers he's putting up, that's pretty special."

Tetairoa McMillan's Offensive Rookie of the Year award recognized his significant contribution to the Carolina Panthers. As the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, McMillan quickly proved his worth, accumulating 70 receptions on 122 targets for 1,014 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. These numbers placed him at the top among all rookie receivers in receiving yards, setting a new standard for first-year players in Carolina.

Ekhbary News Agency