Matthew Stafford wins NFL MVP in closest vote since 2003

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford edge new England Patriots counterpart drake may Won the NFL Most Valuable Player award on Thursday night, then made news by announcing in his acceptance speech that he would return next season.

Stafford received 24 out of 50 votes for first place and finished with 366 points. May received 23 votes for first place and finished with 361 points. It was the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003.

In his 17th NFL season, the 37-year-old Stafford became the oldest player in NFL history at the time of his first MVP. He also became the third-oldest player to win MVP, behind Tom Brady (2017) aaron rodgers (2021).

Stafford brought his four daughters — all wearing identical black and white dresses — onstage to accept the award at the NFL Honors Show.

He thanked his team and saved his wife and daughters for last: “You are incredible cheerleaders for me. I appreciate it. I’m so happy to have you at the games with me, and I can’t wait for you to cheer me on when we’re out there on the field next year.”

This was Stafford’s way of announcing that he would return the following season after considering retirement.

Over the last two months of the regular season, Stafford and Maye were unsuccessful chances to win MVP several times, with Stafford emerging as the favorite after Week 18. He was also named AP First Team All-Pro for the first time in his career.

buffalo bill quarterback josh allenWhereas, the 2024 MVP got two votes for the first place los angeles chargers cubby Justin Herbert Found the second one. Allen finished third in the voting, followed by san francisco 49ers rushing back Christian McCaffrey And jacksonville jaguars quarterback trevor lawrence.

Stafford, who won Super Bowl LVI with Los Angeles in the 2021 season, became the fourth Rams player 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, while also scoring a career-high 46 passing touchdowns with only eight interceptions.

Stafford became the first player since Adrian Peterson in 2012 to win MVP for a team outside the top two seeds. Since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger, only eight players have won MVP for non-division winners, including only two quarterbacks (McNair in ’03, Peyton Manning in 2008). The Rams clinched the fifth seed in the NFC after finishing second in the NFC West with a 12–5 record.

Los Angeles eliminated from the Super Bowl after losing to Seattle Seahawks In the NFC Championship Game. After that loss, the focus turned to Stafford’s future in the NFL, but the veteran QB assured fans Thursday night that he will be back for an 18th season.

He said, “I’ll see you guys next year.” “Hopefully I’m not in the program and we’re getting ready for another game in SoFi.”

The Rams’ home stadium will host the Super Bowl in 2027.

Mays led the Patriots to a 14–3 record, the AFC East title, and the second seed in the AFC in his second season. They will play the Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Mays’ breakout sophomore season saw him lead the NFL in passer rating (113.5), completion percentage (72.0%) and yards per attempt (8.9), and threw for 4,394 yards, along with 31 touchdowns to eight interceptions.

The 23-year-old player became the youngest player to lead the NFL in completion percentage after the merger, surpassing the previous mark set by 24-year-old Joe Montana in 1980.

A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed the voting before the playoffs began.

Voters selected the Top 5 for eight AP NFL awards. First place votes were worth 10 points. Votes from second to fifth place were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 point.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.