NFL Honors Ceremony Recognizes 2025 Season Achievements, Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Class

The 15th annual NFL Honors ceremony took place in San Francisco, recognizing outstanding performances from the 2025 NFL season and announcing the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Matthew Stafford was named Most Valuable Player, while Mike Vrabel received Coach of the Year honors.

Matthew Stafford was named Most Valuable Player, while Mike Vrabel received Coach of the Year honors.

Event Details

The ceremony was broadcast live on NBC and Peacock on Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET from the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Jon Hamm hosted the event.

Major Award Recipients

Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford was awarded the 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player, marking his first MVP title. Stafford received 366 points and 24 first-place votes.

Drake Maye, Patriots Quarterback, finished second with 361 points and 23 first-place votes, resulting in the closest MVP vote since 2003. Other contenders included Josh Allen (91 points), Christian McCaffrey (71 points), and Trevor Lawrence (49 points).

Stafford led the NFL with 46 touchdown passes during the 2025 season, a career-high and a Rams franchise record. He confirmed his intention to play in the 2026 season during his acceptance speech.

Drake Maye, Patriots Quarterback, finished second with 361 points and 23 first-place votes, resulting in the closest MVP vote since 2003.

Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel was named Coach of the Year. He secured three more first-place votes than Liam Coen, Jaguars Head Coach.

This marks Vrabel's second Coach of the Year award; he previously won in 2021 with the Tennessee Titans, making him the seventh coach to win the award with multiple teams. Vrabel was not present at the ceremony due to the Patriots' preparations for the Super Bowl.

In his first year with the Patriots, he became the first coach in NFL history to lead a team with 13 losses in the prior season to at least 13 wins in his inaugural season. He achieved 17 wins this season, including playoffs, which ties the NFL record for a first-year coach.

In his first year with the Patriots, Mike Vrabel became the first coach in NFL history to lead a team with 13 losses in the prior season to at least 13 wins in his inaugural season.

Other Key Award Winners

• AP Offensive Player of the Year: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks Wide Receiver)
• AP Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett (Browns Defensive End)
• AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Carson Schwesinger (Browns Linebacker)
• AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers Wide Receiver)
• AP Comeback Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey (49ers Running Back)
• Protector of the Year: Joe Thuney (Bears Guard)
• Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year: Bobby Wagner
• Next Gen Stats Moment of the Year: Caleb Williams' 46-yard overtime pass to D.J. Moore

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was announced, comprising modern-era players, senior players, a coach, and a contributor.

• Willie Anderson
• Drew Brees
• Jahri Evans
• Larry Fitzgerald
• Frank Gore
• Torry Holt
• Luke Kuechly
• Eli Manning
• Terrell Suggs
• Adam Vinatieri (third kicker in NFL history to be inducted)
• Reggie Wayne
• Kevin Williams
• Jason Witten
• Darren Woodson
• Marshal Yanda

• Kenny Anderson
• Roger Craig (played eight of his 11 career seasons with the 49ers, receiving a notable reception from the San Francisco audience)
• L.C. Greenwood
• Bill Belichick
• Robert Kraft