NFL Honors 2026: Bobby Wagner named Man of the Year, Matthew Stafford wins maiden MVP, Check full award winners list

The 2026 NFL Honors ceremony, held February 5 at San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts ahead of Super Bowl LX, celebrated the 2025 season's top performers with Associated Press-voted awards presented by host Jon Hamm. Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner, a former Seahawk, won the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, recognizing his on-field excellence. Other highlights included Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett's Defensive Player of the Year for a record 23 sacks, edging finalists like Micah Parsons.

Major individual award winners

Matthew Stafford, quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, claimed the league's top individual honor as Most Valuable Player, leading the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and a staggering 46 touchdowns while guiding his team through a competitive playoff push, outpacing finalists like Drake Maye.


Myles Garrett secured his second Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett's 23 sacks broke the single-season record that was previously shared by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt.

Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba won Offensive Player of the Year, leading the NFL in receiving yards ahead of finalists like Christian McCaffrey and Puka Nacua.

Carolina Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan took Offensive Rookie of the Year. Cleveland Browns LB Carson Schwesinger claimed Defensive Rookie of the Year.

New England Patriots HC Mike Vrabel earned Coach of the Year, guiding his team to the Super Bowl over finalists like Seattle's Mike Macdonald.

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey won Comeback Player of the Year.

Chicago Bears OG Joe Thuney took the inaugural Protector of the Year, aiding a top-ranked O-line.

Bobby Wagner's Man of the Year triumph

Bobby Wagner, 35, earned his fourth nomination and first win for the NFL's most esteemed non-playing award, first given in 1970 and renamed in 1999 for Walter Payton.

A 10-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro, and Super Bowl XLVIII champion with Seattle, Wagner posted over 100 tackles in each of his 14 seasons, including his second with Washington.

Off-field, his Phenia Mae Fund—honoring his late mother—partners with health organizations for stroke aid, alongside social justice, mental health advocacy, and youth entrepreneurship via the Tackle Everything Tech Tour; the award donates $250,000 to his charity.

Wagner is the first Commanders recipient since Darrell Green in 1996.