Who Votes on NFL Awards? Panel Revealed for 2025-26 Honors amid Controversial Results

In a change from the previous year, the Associated Press has thus far opted not to make the ballots for the 2025-26 NFL Honors ceremony public.

The headline from the show was Matthew Stafford narrowly defeating Drake Maye to win the MVP award. One first-place vote was the difference between the two quarterbacks, with Stafford receiving 24 (366 total points) and Maye receiving 23 (361 total points).

Even though the AP didn't reveal the specific ballots, it did unveil the 50-person panel who received a vote for this year's awards and the media outlet they are affiliated with:

• Emmanuel Acho (Speakeasy Show)
• Greg Auman (Fox Sports)
• Judy Battista (NFL Network)
• Jarrett Bell (USA Today)
• Dave Birkett (Detroit Free Press)
• Kyle Brandt (NFL Network)
• Albert Breer (The MMQB)
• Tedy Bruschi (ESPN)
• Vic Carucci (WGRZ radio)
• Mark Craig (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• Nate Davis (USA Today)
• Tony Digiulio (Pat McAfee Show)
• Tyler Dragon (USA Today)
• Tony Dungy (NBC Sports)
• Ryan Dunleavy (New York Post)
• Rich Eisen (NFL Network)
• Jori Epstein (Yahoo Sports)
• Doug Farrar (Athlon Sports)
• Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk)
• Reuben Frank (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
• Rich Gannon (SiriusXM)
• Mike Garafolo (NFL Network)
• Jonathan Jones (CBS Sports)
• Lindsay Jones (The Ringer)
• Ira Kaufman (Hall of Fame Selector)
• Mina Kimes (ESPN)
• Aditi Kinkhabwala (CBS)
• Pat Kirwan (SiriusXM)
• Diante Lee (The Ringer)
• Jim Miller (SiriusXM)
• Sam Monson (33rd Team)
• Bruce Murray (SiriusXM)
• Dan Orlovsky (ESPN)
• Dan Pompei (The Athletic)
• Pete Prisco (CBS)
• Lindsay Rhodes (Sumer Sports)
• Charles Robinson (Yahoo Sports)
• Dianna Russini (The Athletic)
• Armando Salguero (Outkick.com)
• Mike Sando (The Athletic)
• Aaron Schatz (FTN Network)
• Adam Schein (CBS Sports)
• Mike Silver (The Athletic)
• Tom Silverstein (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
• Chris Simms (NBC Sports)
• Rick Stroud (Tampa Bay Times)
• Alex Smith (ESPN)
• Ben Volin (Boston Globe)
• Kurt Warner (Westwood One)
• Charean Williams (Pro Football Talk)

Even though the AP didn't publish the ballots, several panelists did post either their full ballot or at least how they voted in one specific category.

Some of the voters revealed prior to the ceremony how they voted for MVP. For instance, ESPN's Mina Kimes explained on Thursday's episode of First Take it was very close for her but she ultimately went with Maye over Stafford:

The Athletic's Mike Sando admitted after the ceremony he was still going back and forth over who should win MVP:

One note from the MVP race that stood out is Justin Herbert, who wasn't among the five finalists, received a first-place vote. Sam Monson of the 33rd Team revealed he cast the vote for the Los Angeles Chargers quarterback, citing Herbert's ability to maintain a high level of play despite their issues along the offensive line throughout the season:

The only other really tight race was for Offensive Player of the Year. Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba won, beating out San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey by 49 total points and two first-place votes.

McCaffrey, who was the main engine for the 49ers offense this season, didn't go home empty-handed. He took home Comeback Player of the Year after recording 2,126 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns this season coming off an injury-plagued 2024 in which he was limited to just four games.

The MVP race between Stafford and Maye this year is the third-closest vote in NFL history. The other two were 1997 and 2003, when the voting ended in a tie.

Even though Maye came up just short in the MVP voting, he has the opportunity to do what Stafford couldn't in the playoffs and defeat the Seahawks. The second-year quarterback will lead the New England Patriots into Super Bowl 60 on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.