The National Football League’s most coveted honors are set to be decided in a weekend of high-stakes ceremonies, with a handful of players and coaches already positioned as front-runners.
At a Glance
- MVP contenders: Matthew Stafford (L.A. Rams) and Drake Maye (New England Patriots) lead the pack.
- Coach of the Year: Three first-year coaches-Mike Vrabel, Liam Coen, Ben Johnson-are in the spotlight.
- Defensive star: Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns) tops the defensive awards after a record-breaking season.
- Why it matters: These finalists set the narrative for the NFL’s most celebrated night, hinting at the battles that will shape the league’s future.
The Associated Press announced the finalists for eight major NFL awards on Thursday, two weeks before the NFL Honors ceremony that will take place on February 5, the day before Super Bowl LX.
NFL Awards Overview
The AP’s selection process names five finalists for each category, reflecting the league’s diversity of talent across offense, defense, and coaching. The finalists are:
| Category | Finalists |
|---|---|
| MVP | Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye, Christian McCaffrey, Matthew Stafford |
| Offensive Player of the Year | Drake Maye, Christian McCaffrey, Puka Nacua, Bijan Robinson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Will Anderson Jr., Nik Bonitto, Myles Garrett, Aidan Hutchinson, Micah Parsons |
| Offensive Rookie of the Year | Jaxson Dart, Emeka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson, Tetairoa McMillan, Tyler Shough |
| Defensive Rookie of the Year | Abdul Carter, Nick Emmanwori, James Pearce Jr., Carson Schwesinger, Xavier Watts |
| Comeback Player of the Year | Stefon Diggs, Aidan Hutchinson, Trevor Lawrence, Christian McCaffrey, Dak Prescott |
| Coach of the Year | Liam Coen, Ben Johnson, Mike Macdonald, Kyle Shanahan, Mike Vrabel |
| Assistant Coach of the Year | Vic Fangio, Brian Flores, Vance Joseph, Klint Kubiak, Josh McDaniels |
The ceremony will also announce the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year and the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class.
MVP Race
The Most Valuable Player award is traditionally the most debated accolade. Five quarterbacks and one running back are in the running:
- Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
- Trevor Lawrence – Jacksonville Jaguars
- Drake Maye – New England Patriots
- Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers
- Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams
Stafford and Maye are the only two finalists whose teams are poised to meet in the championship game, setting up a potential showdown on Sunday. Both have led their squads to the top of their divisions and have consistently delivered high-level play throughout the season.
Offensive Player of the Year
Offense is a wide-open field with players from three NFC West teams and two other franchises:
- Drake Maye – New England Patriots
- Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers
- Puka Nacua – Los Angeles Rams
- Bijan Robinson – Atlanta Falcons
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Seattle Seahawks
The finalists represent a mix of quarterbacks, a running back, and wide receivers, highlighting the league’s diverse offensive talent.
Defensive Player of the Year
The defensive side of the game is dominated by a single standout:
- Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns
Garrett’s season culminated in a new NFL single-season sack record, placing him firmly ahead of the other four finalists: Will Anderson Jr., Nik Bonitto, Aidan Hutchinson, and Micah Parsons.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
The league’s newest offensive talents are:
- Jaxson Dart – New York Giants
- Emeka Egbuka – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- TreVeyon Henderson – New England Patriots
- Tetairoa McMillan – Carolina Panthers
- Tyler Shough – New Orleans Saints
These five rookies have shown flashes of brilliance across the country, each carving out a role in their respective teams’ offensive schemes.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Defensive newcomers are:
- Abdul Carter – New York Giants
- Nick Emmanwori – Seattle Seahawks
- James Pearce Jr. – Atlanta Falcons
- Carson Schwesinger – Cleveland Browns
- Xavier Watts – Atlanta Falcons
Their performances have already earned them recognition as potential future stars in the league’s defensive ranks.
Comeback Player of the Year
The award honors resilience and perseverance, with five finalists who have overcome adversity:
- Stefon Diggs – New England Patriots
- Aidan Hutchinson – Detroit Lions
- Trevor Lawrence – Jacksonville Jaguars
- Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers
- Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys
Each player’s story is a testament to the hard work required to return to top-level performance after setbacks.
Coach of the Year
Coaching excellence is highlighted by a mix of experience and fresh leadership:
- Liam Coen – Jacksonville Jaguars (first year)
- Ben Johnson – Chicago Bears (first year)
- Mike Macdonald – Seattle Seahawks (second year)
- Kyle Shanahan – San Francisco 49ers
- Mike Vrabel – New England Patriots (first year)
The finalists represent a range of coaching styles, from rebuilding to maintaining championship momentum.
Assistant Coach of the Year
Assistant coaching talent is recognized across the league:
- Vic Fangio – Philadelphia Eagles (defensive coordinator)
- Brian Flores – Minnesota Vikings (defensive coordinator)
- Vance Joseph – Denver Broncos (defensive coordinator)
- Klint Kubiak – Seattle Seahawks (offensive coordinator)
- Josh McDaniels – New England Patriots (offensive coordinator)
These coaches have been pivotal in shaping their teams’ strategies and player development.
NFL Honors Event
The NFL Honors ceremony, hosted by Jon Hamm, will be broadcast on Thursday, Feb. 5, just three days before Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. In addition to the award presentations, the event will unveil the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year and the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class.
The awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also set the tone for the upcoming season, providing fans and analysts with a snapshot of who is shaping the NFL’s present and future.
Key Takeaways
- MVP race is a two-man battle between Stafford and Maye, potentially culminating in a Super Bowl clash.
- Defensive spotlight remains on Myles Garrett, whose record-setting season cements his legacy.
- Coaching awards feature a strong cohort of first-year leaders, signaling a generational shift at the helm of several franchises.
- NFL Honors will be a marquee event that crowns the league’s elite while announcing future Hall of Fame inductees.
The finalists’ performances throughout the season have already captured the attention of fans and pundits alike, making the upcoming awards ceremony a must-watch for anyone interested in the NFL’s evolving narrative.
