In a night that celebrated both the dawn of a new era and the resilience of established icons, the 2026 NFL Honors took center stage in San Francisco. While the MVP race produced a photo finish that will be debated for years, the evening belonged to two primary narratives: the meteoric rise of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and the triumphant return of 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey.
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New Guard Meets Gold Standard: Drake Maye and Christian McCaffrey Headline a Historic Night at NFL Honors 2026
The 15th Annual NFL Honors in San Francisco wasn’t just an awards show; it was a passing of the torch and a celebration of resilience. In a night defined by historical milestones and razor-thin margins, the league recognized the elite performers who defined the 2025-26 season.
Here is the breakdown of the winners, the near-misses, and the legends cemented at the 15th annual ceremony.
The MVP Nail-Biter: Stafford Edges Maye
In the closest MVP voting since 2003, Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams took home the league’s highest individual honor. At 37 years old, Stafford’s first MVP award felt like a “lifetime achievement” mixed with a statistical masterclass (4,707 yards, 46 TDs).
However, the talk of the night was Drake Maye. In just his second season, the New England signal-caller led a “worst-to-first” turnaround that saw the Patriots jump from four wins to the AFC’s No. 2 seed. Maye led the NFL in:
- Completion Percentage: 72.0%
- Passer Rating: 113.5
- Yards Per Attempt: 8.9
Maye fell just five points short of Stafford (366 to 361), receiving 23 first-place votes to Stafford’s 24. Despite the narrow loss, Maye’s performance solidified his status as the new face of the AFC.
The McCaffrey Double: Comeback and Service
No player received more sustained applause than Christian McCaffrey. After an injury-plagued 2024 season that limited him to just four games, “CMC” returned to his “human cheat code” form in 2025.
AP Comeback Player of the Year
McCaffrey dominated the voting with 31 first-place votes. His bounce-back stats were staggering:
- 2,126 total yards from scrimmage (2nd in NFL).
- 102 receptions, the most by a running back in a single season.
- NFL History Maker: He became the first player ever to record at least 5 rushing and 5 receiving touchdowns in the same season.
Salute to Service Award
Beyond the field, McCaffrey was recognized for his 23 and Troops initiative, which provides high-level mental and physical healthcare to veterans. His $700,000 in contributions to military support efforts earned him one of the night’s most prestigious humanitarian honors.
2026 Award Winners at a Glance
| Award | Winner | Team | Key Stat/Note |
| MVP | Matthew Stafford | LA Rams | 46 TD passes (League High) |
| Offensive POY | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seattle Seahawks | 1,793 receiving yards |
| Defensive POY | Myles Garrett | Cleveland Browns | 23.0 Sacks (NFL Record) |
| Coach of the Year | Mike Vrabel | NE Patriots | 10-win improvement in Year 1 |
| Offensive Rookie | Tetairoa McMillan | Carolina Panthers | Emerging WR superstar |
| Comeback POY | Christian McCaffrey | SF 49ers | 2,126 Scrimmage Yards |
| Assistant Coach | Josh McDaniels | NE Patriots | Architect of Maye’s breakout |
Defensive History: The Garrett Record
While the offensive stars grabbed the headlines, Myles Garrett authored a defensive season for the ages. By racking up 23.0 sacks, Garrett broke the NFL single-season record, making him a near-unanimous choice for Defensive Player of the Year. He beat out a crowded field that included Aidan Hutchinson and Micah Parsons.
Looking Ahead to Super Bowl LX
The ceremony served as the ultimate appetizer for Super Bowl LX, where MVP runner-up Drake Maye and the New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks. For Maye, the game offers an immediate chance to answer his narrow MVP loss with a championship ring.
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