Matthew Stafford wins NFL MVP in closest vote since 2003

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford edged New England Patriots counterpart Drake Maye to win the NFL Most Beneficial Participant award Thursday night time, then made information in his acceptance speech by saying he’ll return subsequent season.

Stafford acquired 24-of-50 first-place votes and completed with 366 factors. Maye obtained 23 first-place votes and completed with 361 factors. It was the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair have been co-winners in 2003.

In his seventeenth NFL season, the 37-year-old Stafford grew to become the oldest participant in NFL historical past on the time of his first MVP. He additionally grew to become the third-oldest participant to win MVP, behind Tom Brady (2017) and Aaron Rodgers (2021).

Stafford introduced his 4 daughters — all wearing similar black-and-white attire — to the stage to just accept the award on the NFL Honors present.

He thanked his workforce and saved his spouse and daughters for final: “You are unbelievable cheerleaders for me. I admire it. I’m so blissful to have you ever on the video games on the sideline with me, and I can not wait so that you can cheer me on subsequent yr once we’re on the market kicking ass.”

It was Stafford’s approach of saying he shall be again subsequent season after considering retirement.

Over the past two months of the common season, Stafford and Maye flip-flopped within the odds to win MVP a number of occasions, with Stafford rising as the favourite after Week 18. He additionally was named an AP First Group All-Professional for the primary time in his profession.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, the 2024 MVP, acquired two first-place votes, whereas Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert obtained the opposite. Allen completed third in voting, adopted by San Francisco 49ers operating again Christian McCaffrey and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Stafford, who received Tremendous Bowl LVI with Los Angeles within the 2021 season, grew to become the fourth Rams participant to be named MVP (Roman Gabriel in 1969, Kurt Warner in 1999 and 2001, and Marshall Faulk in 2000). He led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards, in addition to a career-high 46 passing touchdowns to simply eight interceptions.

Stafford grew to become the primary participant to win MVP for a workforce outdoors the highest two seeds since Adrian Peterson in 2012. For the reason that 1970 AFL/NFL merger, solely eight gamers have received MVP for non-division winners, together with simply two quarterbacks (McNair in ’03, Peyton Manning in 2008). The Rams secured the fifth seed within the NFC after ending second within the NFC West with a 12-5 document.

Los Angeles fell in need of the Tremendous Bowl after shedding to the Seattle Seahawks within the NFC Championship Sport. After that defeat, the main focus turned to Stafford’s future within the NFL, however the veteran QB assured followers Thursday night time that he’ll be again for an 18th season.

“I am going to see you guys subsequent yr,” he stated. “Hopefully I am not at this occasion and we’re preparing for an additional sport at SoFi.”

The Rams’ residence stadium will host the Tremendous Bowl in 2027.

Maye led the Patriots to a 14-3 document, the AFC East title and the second seed within the AFC in his second season. They’re going to play the Seahawks within the Tremendous Bowl on Sunday.

Maye’s breakout sophomore season noticed him lead the NFL in passer ranking (113.5), completion proportion (72.0%) and yards per try (8.9), and throw for 4,394 yards, together with 31 touchdowns to eight interceptions.

The 23-year-old grew to become the youngest participant because the merger to steer the NFL in completion proportion, surpassing the earlier mark set by 24-year-old Joe Montana in 1980.

A nationwide panel of fifty media members who commonly cowl the league accomplished voting earlier than the playoffs started.

Voters chosen a high 5 for the eight AP NFL awards. First-place votes have been value 10 factors. Second- by way of fifth-place votes have been value 5, 3, 2 and 1 factors.

Info from The Related Press was used on this report.