Matthew Stafford Edges Drake Maye for AP NFL Most Valuable Player Award

Los Angeles Rams' Matthew Stafford accepts the AP Most Valuable Player award during the NFL Honors award show in San Francisco on Feb. 5, 2026. Charlie Riedel/AP Photo

SAN FRANCISCO—Matthew Stafford walked away with the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award and a declaration that he’s returning to the Los Angeles Rams for another season.

Stafford edged Drake Maye for the MVP award on Thursday night in the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003.