Matthew Stafford wins MVP, announces decision for 2026

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford posts with the NFL Honors Most Valuable Player trophy. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Matthew Stafford wins first NFL MVP award, announces decision for 2026 season

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Feb 6, 2026 7:51 AM ET

In the closest NFL MVP vote in over 20 years, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford edged out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to win the award for the first time in his career.

Stafford received 24 first-place votes to Maye's 23 and was able to take one more step toward an eventual place in Canton.

Perhaps even more important in the short-term is the way Stafford ended his acceptance speech.

Matthew Stafford announces he is returning for 2026 season

While Stafford was considered the leading candidate to win the MVP this season, there was still plenty of debate as to what his plans for the 2026 season would be.

Would he be back for another year? Or call it a career?

He put all of that to bed on Thursday by ending his acceptance speech saying he will see everybody next year, indicating he will be back for the 2026 season for his age-38 season.

Matthew Stafford ended his MVP speech by announcing he will return in 2026.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 6, 2026

As Stafford showed over the past two years, he can still be an elite player and one of the best in the NFL when he is healthy.

He threw for an NFL-leading 4,707 yards and 40 touchdowns this season, sending the Rams back to the playoffs and the NFC Championship Game.

Assuming he is able to stay healthy again next season, there is little to indicate that his game is going to fall off much. He still has the arm strength, vision and smarts.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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