The NFL and Associated Press announced the official list of finalists for the 2025 season awards on Tuesday, with the winners to be revealed during the NFL Honors 2026 gala, presented by Invisalign. The event will take place on Thursday, February 5 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, as a prelude to Super Bowl LX.
The ceremony will be broadcast in prime time at 9:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. CT on NBC and NFL Network, and will also be available via streaming on Peacock and NFL+. Prior to that, the traditional red carpet can be followed from 8:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network, although the league warned that the program will not be broadcast live in all time zones.
Josh Allen, McCaffrey and Maye stand out in the race for MVP
The most anticipated award of the night, the Most Valuable Player (MVP), will feature Josh Allen (Bills), Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars), Drake Maye (Patriots), Christian McCaffrey (49ers) and Matthew Stafford (Rams). Maye’s presence is highlighted by his immediate impact with New England, while McCaffrey again figures as the most dominant offensive engine in the league.
The defense and comeback of the year raise the competitive bar
On the defensive side of the ball, names such as Myles Garrett, Aidan Hutchinson and Micah Parsons head the list for Defensive Player of the Year, reflecting the weight of pass rushers in the modern NFL. Meanwhile, the Comeback Player of the Year award features one of the most emotional categories, with Stefon Diggs and Dak Prescott among the candidates after overcoming injuries and difficult seasons.
Coaches and rookies, the stars of the future of the league
The Coach of the Year award brings together established strategists such as Kyle Shanahan and Mike Vrabel, along with emerging coaches such as Mike Macdonald, who quickly transformed the Seahawks. In the Rookie of the Year category, the NFL shows its generational change with talents such as Jaxson Dart, Emeka Egbuka and Abdul Carter.
A gala full of historic awards
In addition to the AP awards, the night will include the announcement of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, the 2026 Hall of Fame Class and the new Protector of the Year Award, which will honor the best offensive lineman of the season. As an official partner, Breitling will present custom watches to the winners, including a special design for the MVP.
Key facts about the 2026 NFL Honors
- Date: Thursday, February 5
- Venue: Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
- TV: NBC and NFL Network
- Streaming: Peacock and NFL+
- Outstanding MVPs: Josh Allen, Christian McCaffrey, Drake Maye
- Before the: Super Bowl LX (February 8, 2026)
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