At a Glance
- MVP race dominated by Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye.
- Offensive Player of the Year includes Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Christian McCaffrey.
- Coach of the Year features three first-year coaches: Mike Vrabel, Liam Coen, Ben Johnson.
Why it matters: These finalists will be announced at the NFL Honors on Feb. 5, setting the stage for the 2025 season and the Super Bowl.
The 2025 NFL awards race is heating up, with a lineup of elite players and coaches poised to claim the league’s top honors. Finalists for MVP, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year have been announced, and the stakes are higher than ever as teams gear up for Super Bowl LX.
MVP Race
The Most Valuable Player award features five finalists, but the conversation has already narrowed to a two-man duel between Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams and Drake Maye of the New England Patriots. Both quarterbacks have delivered record-setting performances, and a win could set the tone for their teams’ championship aspirations.
| Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills | QB |
| Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars | QB |
| Drake Maye | New England Patriots | QB |
| Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers | RB |
| Matthew Stafford | Los Angeles Rams | QB |
Offensive Player of the Year
The offensive side of the awards has a crowded field, with three NFC West rivals in the mix. Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are among the five finalists, each showcasing explosive playmaking.
| Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Drake Maye | New England Patriots | QB |
| Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers | RB |
| Puka Nacua | Los Angeles Rams | WR |
| Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons | RB |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seattle Seahawks | WR |
Defensive Player of the Year
On defense, the spotlight turns to pass rusher Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, who broke the NFL’s single-season sack record. He leads a strong group of defensive standouts.
| Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Will Anderson Jr. | Houston Texans | DE |
| Nik Bonitto | Denver Broncos | LB |
| Myles Garrett | Cleveland Browns | DE |
| Aidan Hutchinson | Detroit Lions | DE |
| Micah Parsons | Green Bay Packers | DE |
Coach of the Year
The coaching race is perhaps the most intriguing, featuring three first-year head coaches who have made immediate impacts. Mike Vrabel of the Patriots, Liam Coen of the Jaguars, and Ben Johnson of the Bears are tied for the lead, with second-year Mike Macdonald of the Seahawks also in contention.
- Mike Vrabel – New England Patriots
- Liam Coen – Jacksonville Jaguars
- Ben Johnson – Chicago Bears
- Mike Macdonald – Seattle Seahawks
- Kyle Shanahan – San Francisco 49ers
Ceremony Details
Jon Hamm will host the NFL Honors on Feb. 5, three days before Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. The ceremony will also announce the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
The event promises to be a showcase of the league’s finest, celebrating achievements that could shape the narrative of the upcoming season.
Key Takeaways
- The MVP race is a clear duel between Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye.
- Offensive and defensive awards feature a mix of established stars and breakout performers.
- Coaching awards spotlight first-year leaders who have already made a mark.
- The NFL Honors on Feb. 5 will set the tone for the 2025 season and the build-up to Super Bowl LX.
Stay tuned for the official announcements and find out which players and coaches will carry the mantle into the next chapter of NFL history.
