Rams QB Matthew Stafford wins NFL MVP by one first-place vote

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Rams QB Matthew Stafford wins NFL MVP by one first-place vote

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Fri, Feb 6, 2026 ·

2 min read

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SAN FRANCISCO – Matthew Stafford's superb 17thseason was awarded in a major way.

The Los Angeles Rams quarterback was named NFL MVP at the Feb. 5 NFL Honors ceremony. He beat out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye by a single first-place vote.

Stafford was awarded league MVP after he capped off one of the best seasons of his career. The 37-year-old quarterback led the NFL and broke a Rams franchise record with a career-high 46 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions. Additionally, Stafford's 4,707 passing yards paced the NFL.

His 46 touchdowns are the second-most thrown in a single season by an NFL quarterback age 37 or older. He became the third player in NFL history with at least 45 touchdown passes and fewer than 10 interceptions in a season, according to NFL Research.

"He is the MVP. There's no ifs ands or buts about it," Rams running back Blake Corum told USA TODAY Sports in a recent interview . "The season he's had is ridiculous. The career he's had is just tremendous."

The regular-season MVP award is the first of Stafford's career. It's the most prestigious honor Stafford's received this year. He was also named a 2025 first-team All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl.

Stafford's MVP adds to a resume that's worthy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Stafford helped the Rams win Super Bowl 56, he was the recipient of the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award in 2011, he's a three-time Pro Bowler, a 2025 first-team All-Pro and now the 2025 NFL MVP.

Stafford was originally selected No. 1 overall in the 2009 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions . He's Detroit's all-time passing leader and holds the franchise record in passing touchdowns. Stafford was dealt to the Rams in a 2021 blockbuster trade with the Lions. Stafford quarterbacked the Rams to a Super Bowl title his first season in Los Angeles . His fifth year in L.A. is accompanied with an MVP.

"He's elevated everybody that he's around, but it's been really impressive," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "I wouldn't say I'm surprised though. This has been consistent for him over the five years that we've been together. I'm just grateful to be able to have the opportunity to be partnered up with him."

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon .