In one of the most dramatic finishes in league history, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford 2026 NFL MVP honors were secured late Thursday night by a razor-thin margin. Stafford edged out New England Patriots sensation Drake Maye by just five voting points, marking the closest balloting differential since 2003. While Maye missed out on the individual hardware, the Patriots received a massive consolation prize Friday morning: their franchise quarterback has been officially cleared for full participation ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl LX showdown against the Seattle Seahawks.
Stafford Wins First MVP in Closest Race in Decades
The voting breakdown revealed just how divided the panel was between the veteran sharpshooter and the second-year phenom. Stafford received 24 first-place votes to Maye's 23, finishing with 366 total points compared to Maye's 361. It is the tightest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair shared the award twenty-three years ago.
Stafford, 38, accepted the award in San Francisco flanked by his four daughters, delivering an emotional speech that silenced retirement rumors. "I can't wait for you to cheer me on next year," Stafford told his family from the stage, confirming he will return for an 18th season after leading the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. His resurgence powered the Rams to a 12-5 record, cementing his legacy as one of the game's most prolific passers.
Drake Maye Injury Update: Super Bowl Status Confirmed
Despite the MVP snub, the most critical news for New England fans concerns the Drake Maye injury update Super Bowl availability. After suffering a scare with his right shoulder in the AFC Championship Game, Maye was listed as a full participant in Thursday's practice report, removing any doubt about his status for Sunday.
"I'm feeling great," Maye told reporters. "The extra day of rest helped, and I'm ready to go full speed." His clearance stands in slight contrast to the situation in Seattle. Sam Darnold injury news continues to dominate headlines for the NFC champions. The Seahawks quarterback remains limited in practice with an oblique strain, though he insisted Wednesday that he "feels really good" and expects no limitations by kickoff at Levi's Stadium.
NFL Honors 2026 Winners List: Garrett, Vrabel Take Top Prizes
While the quarterback duel stole the spotlight, the NFL Honors 2026 winners list featured several historic milestones. Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett became just the second player in history to win Defensive Player of the Year unanimously, following a record-breaking 23-sack season.
Complete Award Winners
- MVP: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
- Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
- Offensive Player of the Year: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
- Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
- Comeback Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
- Offensive Rookie of the Year: Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
- Defensive Rookie of the Year: Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns
Mike Vrabel's Coach of the Year victory adds another layer of intrigue to Sunday's game, as he has engineered a remarkable ten-win turnaround to lead the Patriots back to the biggest stage in sports.
Super Bowl 60 Quarterback Health and Betting Odds
With Super Bowl 60 quarterback health now largely settled, oddsmakers have solidified their lines. The Seahawks remain 4.5-point favorites according to most sportsbooks, driven by their explosive offense led by Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Current Patriots vs Seahawks Super Bowl odds list Seattle at -235 on the moneyline, while New England sits as a tempting +195 underdog. The total is set at 45.5, suggesting a moderately high-scoring affair despite the defensive prowess of both coaches. With Maye fully cleared and Darnold managing his oblique issue effectively, fans can expect a full-strength battle between the league's top two seeds.
