Matthew Stafford wins NFL MVP and vows to return to Rams next season | NFL
Matthew Stafford walked away with the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award and a declaration that he would return to the Los Angeles Rams for another season.
Stafford edged out Drake Maye for the MVP award Thursday night in the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003.
Stafford received 24 of 50 first-place votes while Maye got 23. But Maye has a chance to go home this week with a Vince Lombardi Trophy: He leads the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Stafford, who turns 38 on Saturday, wants another opportunity to try to win his second Super Bowl ring with the Rams.
“Oh yeah, I’ll be back. It was such an amazing season and playing with such a good group of guys and such a good group of coaches that I was fortunate to finish this season healthy,” he said.
Stafford brought her four daughters – dressed in identical black and white dresses – on stage to accept the award. He thanked his team and saved his wife and daughters for last: “You guys are incredible cheerleaders for me. I appreciate it. I’m so happy to have you at the games alongside me, and I can’t wait for you to cheer me on next year when we’re out there kicking ass.”
Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. He threw eight picks and finished second to Maye with a 109.2 passer rating. Stafford and the Rams lost to Seattle in the NFC Championship Game. Maye totaled 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and eight picks. The second-year pro led the league in passer rating (113.5) and completion percentage (72).
Myles Garrett was a unanimous choice for the Defensive Player of the Year award after setting a season record for sacks with 23. Garrett received all 50 first-place votes to become the ninth player to win the DPOY multiple times and the second unanimous choice after JJ Watt, who did so in 2014. Cleveland’s Edge Rusher was also a unanimous All-Pro selection. Garrett previously won the award in 2023.
“It doesn’t just start with me,” he said. “It starts with great teammates, great organization, great coaches who can put us in position. I’m grateful to every one of my teammates who helped me get here. It’s not possible without them.”
Seattle All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba beat out San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey for the Offensive Player of the Year award. Smith-Njigba caught 119 passes and led the league with 1,793 receiving yards. He also had 10 touchdowns.
New England’s Mike Vrabel beat out Jacksonville’s Liam Coen for coach of the year, becoming the seventh coach to win it with two different teams. Vrabel can win his first Super Bowl title as head coach on Sunday if the Patriots beat the Seahawks. He led the Patriots from worst to first in the AFC East, a 10-win turnaround in his first season in New England.
McCaffrey became the first running back to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 24 years. McCaffrey has only played four games in 2024 due to injury. He returned to play in every game for the 49ers this season and totaled 2,126 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns.
Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger won the defensive rookie of the year award, while Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan was named offensive rookie of the year.
