Matthew Stafford beats Drake Maye to NFL MVP award before confirming return with Los Angeles Rams for 2026 season

Matthew Stafford won the NFL Most Valuable Player award before declaring he is returning to 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.

Stafford received 24 of 50 first-place votes while Maye, who will play for New England Patriots against Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday, got 23.

Stafford, who turns 38 on Saturday, wants another opportunity to try and win his second Super Bowl ring with the Rams.

"Oh yeah, I'll be back," he said. "It was such an amazing season, and I play with such a great group of guys and great group of coaches that I was lucky enough to finish this season healthy, and I want to make sure that I go out there and see what happens next year.

Stafford brought his four daughters - all dressed in identical black-and-white dresses - to the stage to accept the award.

He thanked his team and saved his wife and daughters for last: "You're unbelievable cheerleaders for me. I appreciate it. I am so happy to have you at the games on the sideline with me, and I can't wait for you to cheer me on next year."

It was Stafford's way of announcing he will be back next season after contemplating retirement.

Myles Garrett was a unanimous choice for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award after setting a season record for sacks with 23.

All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba beat Christian McCaffrey to the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.

New England's Mike Vrabel beat out Jacksonville's Liam Coen for the NFL Coach of the Year award, becoming the seventh coach to win it with two different teams.

McCaffrey became the first running back to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 24 years.

Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger was a runaway winner for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan ran away with the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels won the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award in the first season of his third stint with the team.

A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the playoffs began.

Voters selected a top five for the eight NFL awards. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth five, three, two and one points.

Josh Allen, the 2024 NFL MVP, received two first-place MVP votes, and Justin Herbert got the other one.

Stafford, who earned first-team All-Pro honours for the first time in his 17-year career, finished with 366 points to Maye's 361. Allen placed third with 91 points, Christian McCaffrey (71) was fourth and Trevor Lawrence (49) came in fifth.

It's McCaffrey's second top-five finish in three years, more than any other non-quarterback since the weighted point system was implemented in 2022.

Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 yards passing and 46 TDs. He threw eight picks and finished second to Maye with a 109.2 passer rating. Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams lost to Seattle in the NFC championship game.

Maye had 4,394 yards passing, 31 TDs and eight picks. The second-year pro led the league in passer rating (113.5) and completion percentage (72).