SAN FRANCISCO — The NFL’s best and its legends gathered Thursday night at the Palace of Fine Arts for the 15th annual NFL Honors awards, a night that celebrated the top performers of the 2025 season and unveiled the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Most Valuable Player:
Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Los Angeles Rams — Stafford captured his first MVP award after one of the most efficient seasons of his career. The 37-year-old led the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns while throwing just eight interceptions, guiding the Rams to a 12-5 record and a deep playoff run.
Offensive Player of the Year:
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks — Smith-Njigba led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,793, the most in the league, and a key reason he edged other stars to earn Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Defensive Player of the Year:
Myles Garrett, Defensive End, Cleveland Browns — A disruptive force all season, Garrett posted a league-leading 23 sacks, rewriting the Browns’ record books and anchoring one of the NFL’s top defenses.
Offensive Rookie of the Year:
Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers — McMillan became the only rookie in 2025 to surpass 1,000 receiving yards, finishing with 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns to take home Rookie of the Year honors.
Defensive Rookie of the Year:
Carson Schwesinger, Linebacker, Cleveland Browns — Schwesinger made an impact from the start, tallying more than 150 tackles and establishing himself as a building block on a rugged Browns defense.
Protector of the Year:
Joe Thuney, Offensive Guard, Chicago Bears — In the inaugural year for this award, Thuney stood out by allowing zero sacks in more than 1,100 snaps, solidifying his role as one of the league’s top blockers.
Comeback Player of the Year:
Christian McCaffrey, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers — After missing nearly all of 2024 with injury, McCaffrey returned to elite form with over 2,100 yards from scrimmage, pacing a 49ers offense that leaned on his dual-threat ability.
Coach of the Year:
Mike Vrabel, Head Coach, New England Patriots — Vrabel received recognition for an impressive turnaround, instilling discipline and balance to push the Patriots back into playoff contention after a rebuilding year.
Assistant Coach of the Year:
Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots — McDaniels helped the Patriots’ offense exceed expectations, earning him league recognition as the top assistant coach.
Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award:
Budda Baker, Safety, Arizona Cardinals — Honored for his leadership and integrity, Baker’s consistent excellence and exemplary play earned him the league’s sportsmanship award.
Next Gen Stats Moment of the Year:
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to DJ Moore — A 46-yard touchdown that sealed a thrilling Bears win over the Packers earned the NFL’s Next Gen Stats Moment award.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026:
The league also celebrated the newest members of its Hall of Fame, announced live during the Honors broadcast:
- Drew Brees, Quarterback — A first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, finishing with over 80,000 career passing yards and 571 touchdowns.
- Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver — Second only to Jerry Rice in career receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492), Fitzgerald finally achieved enshrinement after a 17-season career marked by consistency and elite production.
- Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — An eight-season standout and perennial Pro Bowler, Kuechly finished with 1,092 career tackles, five first-team All-Pro selections, and a reputation as one of the era’s fiercest defenders.
- Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — The league’s all-time leader in points (2,673) and clutch postseason kicks, Vinatieri became one of only a handful of pure kickers enshrined in Canton.
- Roger Craig, Running Back (Senior nominee) — A three-time Super Bowl champion and one of the game’s earliest dual-threat backs, Craig’s induction capped a career highlighted by versatility and production.
The Class of 2026 will be formally enshrined Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio, joining the pantheon of football greats.
Walter Payton Man Of The Year Award: Bobby Wagner, Linebacker, Washington Commanders — Off the field, Wagner expanded the reach of his Phenia Mae Fund, supporting pediatric health and stroke awareness initiatives, while continuing his Tackle Everything Tech Tour to mentor students from underserved communities. His sustained excellence, leadership, and commitment to service embodied the spirit of the league’s most prestigious off-field honor.
