Matthew Stafford Wins 2025-26 NFL MVP Award over Drake Maye, Latest Comments and Reaction

Los Angeles Rams quarterback and 17-year NFL veteran Matthew Stafford has won his first-ever NFL MVP award.

The MVP battle between Stafford and New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was a nail-biter to say the least.

To make matters more exciting, Stafford clarified that he will be returning to the field in 2026 amid retirement speculation:

The other finalists were Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

This was a hot debate between Stafford and Maye, and fans had differing opinions.

Stafford led the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and passing touchdowns (46) while guiding the Rams to a 12-5 record, good enough for the NFC's No. 5 playoff seed. The Rams finished first in the NFL in scoring (30.5 points per game) under his watch.

His 2025 season was highlighted by a tremendous eight-game run from Sept. 28-Nov. 23, when he threw for 25 touchdowns and no interceptions. L.A. went 7-1 in that span.

Stafford also authored nine performances where he threw for at least three touchdowns without an interception. That included a five-touchdown game in a 35-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and a 457-yard, three-touchdown effort in a 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

The ex-Georgia star (and No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft) also threw a few of his no-look touchdown passes as well.

Stafford's No-Look TD 😮‍💨

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Stafford's No-Look 4th TD 🪄

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He also finished the year second in quarterback rating and fourth in QBR, per Pro Football Reference en route to making his third Pro Bowl.

Stafford has enjoyed a tremendous career with the Detroit Lions and Rams, and he has a ticket to the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday. He's thrown for 64,516 passing yards (sixth all-time) and 423 touchdowns (seventh all-time).

Stafford led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in his first year in town (2021) after a trade request ended his 12-year tenure with Detroit.

He was exceptional during that playoff run, throwing for 1,118 yards and nine touchdowns (three picks) in four games and finding wide receiver Cooper Kupp for the game-winning TD in the Super Bowl over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Stafford had never finished in the top 10 in the AP NFL MVP voting until 2023, when he finished eighth in the race. However, he now gets a well-deserved honor to cap a fantastic season.