The NFL, together with the Associated Press, has announced the official list of nominees for the 2026 NFL Honors, the league’s most prestigious individual awards, which recognize the performance of players, coaches and assistants during the 2025 season.
Quarterbacks dominate the MVP race
In the Most Valuable Player (MVP) category, quarterbacks are once again the protagonists, although Christian McCaffrey appears as the great non-quarterback candidate on the list. Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence and Matthew Stafford represent contending teams, while Drake Maye is emerging as one of the revelations of the season.
Defenses impose respect in individual awards
The battle for the Defensive Player of the Year award brings together some of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers, with names such as Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson, as well as the immediate impact of Will Anderson Jr. and the versatility of Nik Bonitto.
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Young stars lead offensive and rookie categories
In the Offensive Player of the Year, McCaffrey, Puka Nacua and Bijan Robinson compete with receivers and quarterbacks who made a difference week in and week out. In turn, the Offensive Rookie and Defensive Rookie of the Year categories reflect the high level of the new generation that has already made its mark on the league.
Coaches also compete for recognition
The Coach of the Year category includes strategists who transformed projects and exceeded expectations, while the Assistant Coach of the Year award highlights the tactical work that often goes unnoticed, but is key to collective success.
Complete list of NFL Honors 2026 Winners
Most Valuable Player (MVP – AP)
- Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
- Trevor Lawrence – Jacksonville Jaguars
- Drake Maye – New England Patriots
- Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers
- Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams WINNER
Defensive Player of the Year (AP)
- Will Anderson Jr. – Houston Texans
- Nik Bonitto – Denver Broncos
- Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns WINNER
- Aidan Hutchinson – Detroit Lions
- Micah Parsons – Green Bay Packers
Offensive Player of the Year (AP)
- Drake Maye – New England Patriots
- Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers
- Puka Nacua – Los Angeles Rams
- Bijan Robinson – Atlanta Falcons
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Seattle Seahawks WINNER
Offensive Rookie of the Year (AP)
- Jaxson Dart – New York Giants
- Emeka Egbuka – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- TreVeyon Henderson – New England Patriots
- Tetairoa McMillan – Carolina Panthers WINNER
- Tyler Shough – New Orleans Saints
Defensive Rookie of the Year (AP)
- Abdul Carter – New York Giants
- Nick Emmanwori – Seattle Seahawks
- James Pearce Jr. – Atlanta Falcons
- Carson Schwesinger – Cleveland Browns WINNER
- Xavier Watts – Atlanta Falcons
Comeback Player of the Year (AP)
- Stefon Diggs – New England Patriots
- Aidan Hutchinson – Detroit Lions
- Trevor Lawrence – Jacksonville Jaguars
- Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers WINNERS
- Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys
Coach of the Year (AP)
- Liam Coen – Jacksonville Jaguars
- Ben Johnson – Chicago Bears
- Mike Macdonald – Seattle Seahawks
- Kyle Shanahan – San Francisco 49ers
- Mike Vrabel – New England Patriots WINNER
Assistant Coach of the Year (AP)
- Vic Fangio – Philadelphia Eagles (DC)
- Brian Flores – Minnesota Vikings (DC)
- Vance Joseph – Denver Broncos (DC)
- Klint Kubiak – Seattle Seahawks (OC)
- Josh McDaniels – New England Patriots (OC) WINNER
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