Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has officially captured his first NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in his 17th season, becoming the oldest first-time MVP winner in league history. Stafford, now with the Los Angeles Rams, adds the MVP trophy to his Super Bowl championship since leaving Detroit.
The 37-year-old quarterback silenced retirement speculation by ending his MVP acceptance speech with a clear message:
“See you guys next year.”
Stafford narrowly edged out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in one of the closest MVP races in NFL history. Stafford earned 24 of 50 first-place votes, while Maye received 23. Stafford won the final point total 366 to 361, marking the tightest MVP vote since 2003 when Peyton Manning and Steve McNair shared the award, according to the Associated Press.
During the 2025 NFL season, Stafford delivered the best statistical campaign of his career. He led the league with 46 passing touchdowns, threw just eight interceptions, and topped the NFL with 4,707 passing yards. The Rams quarterback also earned his third Pro Bowl selection, was named first-team All-Pro for the first time, and capped the season by winning his first MVP award.
Stafford finished 12 touchdowns ahead of Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who ranked second in the league with 34 passing scores. The Rams defeated the Lions 41-34 in December, with Stafford throwing for 368 yards and two touchdowns in the matchup.
Stafford spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions after being selected first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. While he never won a division title or playoff game in Detroit, Stafford remains the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, game-winning drives, and fourth-quarter comebacks. He also helped lead the Lions from an 0-16 season to the playoffs within three years.
The Rams fell short of returning to the Super Bowl, losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game after defeating the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears in the earlier playoff rounds.
Detroit and Los Angeles are not scheduled to face each other next season, but Stafford confirmed he will return for at least one more year after producing the best season of his career.
The Detroit Lions were shut out at the NFL Honors ceremony. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and second in Comeback Player of the Year. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell did not win the inaugural Protector of the Year award, and defensive tackle DJ Reader was not named Walter Payton Man of the Year.
