Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player for the season, marking a career milestone for the 37-year-old veteran. The announcement came Thursday night at the NFL Honors ceremony, and the race was remarkably close, edging out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye by a mere five points – the tightest MVP vote since , when Peyton Manning and Steve McNair shared the honor.
Stafford’s victory isn’t simply a recognition of individual performance; it’s a testament to sustained excellence at an age when many quarterbacks are already retired. He received 24 of 50 first-place votes, finishing with 366 total points. Maye garnered 23 first-place votes and 361 points. This makes Stafford the oldest player to win the award at the time of receiving it, surpassing Tom Brady, who was 40 when he won in , and Aaron Rodgers, who earned the title at 38 in .
The season saw Stafford lead the league in passing yards with 4,707 and touchdowns with 46, with only eight interceptions. These statistics are particularly noteworthy, as the 46 touchdowns set a new Rams franchise record and represent the second-highest total for a quarterback aged 37 or older. He also achieved a rare feat, becoming only the third player in NFL history to throw for at least 45 touchdowns while being intercepted fewer than 10 times in a single season.
Stafford’s performance propelled the Rams to a regular season record, bringing them to the brink of another Super Bowl appearance. While their playoff run was ultimately halted by the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, the loss doesn’t diminish the significance of his accomplishments throughout the year. He was also named to the AP first-team All-Pro roster for the first time in his career.
Perhaps the most surprising moment of the evening came during Stafford’s acceptance speech. After thanking his team, wife, and daughters – who joined him on stage dressed in matching outfits – he announced his intention to return for the season. This declaration came after considerable speculation about his potential retirement, adding another layer of intrigue to his already remarkable story.
The MVP race was closely contested throughout the latter half of the regular season, with Stafford and Maye trading positions as the favorites. Stafford ultimately emerged as the frontrunner after Week 18, solidifying his position as the league’s most valuable player. The closeness of the vote underscores the exceptional performances of both quarterbacks and highlights the difficulty in definitively choosing between them.
The award represents a culmination of a 17-year NFL career for Stafford, marked by consistent performance and a reputation for resilience. While he isn’t the oldest player to ever win the MVP award – that distinction belongs to Tom Brady – he joins an exclusive group of quarterbacks who have earned the honor late in their careers, demonstrating that age is not necessarily a barrier to peak performance in the modern NFL.
The question now turns to what Stafford can achieve in . Having proven he can still compete at the highest level, and with a renewed commitment to the game, he will undoubtedly be a key figure for the Rams as they aim to return to the Super Bowl. His decision to return provides stability and leadership for a team with championship aspirations.
Beyond Stafford’s individual achievement, the NFL Honors ceremony also recognized other outstanding players. While details are limited, other award winners included Christian McCaffrey, Joe Thuney, Myles Garrett, and Carson Schwesinger, highlighting the depth of talent across the league.
