SAN FRANCISCO – Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford's elite level of play set records and elevated everyone around him.
It has been recognized accordingly.
Stafford on Thursday was named the 2025 Associated Press NFL MVP, announced at NFL Honors. It is the first MVP award of his 17-year career.
"Anytime you're up there for an award, I don't care if you're first year, 17th year. I mean, it's, it's a humbling thing, it really is," Stafford said in his press conference after accepting his award. "I sat in my seat and watched all these Hall-of-Famers come up in front of me and all these guys – I mean, shoot, Steve Young giving me the award. I have so much respect for the guys that built this game before us and before me, and left it in such great hands that tonight was an unbelievably humbling thing for myself, but it's really not about me. It's about our game. It's about this shield right here, what it means, and the great things that people have been able to accomplish and change in their lives because of it, and I'm truly humbled. I loved every minute of it. Tonight was really cool to honor the game, and then the people that make it special. It is an amazing thing, and really fun for me to think about that my name will be on that trophy, that is really cool. But there are so many people that have helped me get to that spot and make it worth it."
The other finalists for the award were Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.
In terms of the voting for the award, Stafford had 366 points (24 first-place votes). Maye finished second with 361 points (23 first-place votes).
Stafford's 4,707 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns led the league for the regular season; he also posted the second-highest passer rating at 109.2. His 236 first downs also led the NFL. He became the third player (fourth instance) to have 45+ pass TD and fewer than 10 INT in a season (each of the other instances won NFL MVP that season), joining Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.
His command of Los Angeles' offense helped lead the Rams to the No. 1 scoring offense and total offense in the NFL in 2025.
"Just really happy for somebody that's such a humble superstar," head coach Sean McVay told theRams.com at NFL Honors afterward. "Well-earned, well-deserved. I think the coolest thing is the response and the respect from his peers and everybody here today. Standing 'O' (ovation). I don't think there was anybody – there was a bunch of capable candidates, but this guy was just a little bit different than everybody else this year. Just really happy. And when you love people and you really care about them, and you see good things happen to them that's earned and deserved, you just want to be there to support them. And this was a special night. Me and (my wife) Veronika were here for one reason, and that was to be able to see the light shine on a guy that really deserves it and never wants it. But, man, it's so well earned and deserved and, he just makes everybody better, including myself."
Matthew Stafford has been name the NFL's MVP! Browse through photos of the Los Angeles Rams quarterback throwing off defenders with no-look passes, hyping up his teammates in the pregame huddle, and more from the 2025 season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titan in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for an international game during week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Indianapolis Colts in week 4 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 5 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 6 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 16 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Indianapolis Colts in week 4 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 5 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 6 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals in week 18 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Carolina Panthers in week 13 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 16 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the New Orleans Saints in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Indianapolis Colts in week 4 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titans in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Houston Texans in week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titan in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals in week 14 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 5 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the New Orleans Saints in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 6 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the New Orleans Saints in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 11 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titans in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 16 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Houston Texans in week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals in week 14 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Houston Texans in week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 6 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 12 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 16 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for an international game during week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for an international game during week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 5 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 10 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for an international game during week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for an international game during week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 16 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 11 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Atlanta Falcons in week 17 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Carolina Panthers in week 13 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 12 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Houston Texans in week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Houston Texans in week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titan in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titan in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the New Orleans Saints in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Indianapolis Colts in week 4 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Houston Texans in week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for an international game during week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 16 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals in week 14 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the New Orleans Saints in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 6 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Houston Texans in week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Indianapolis Colts in week 4 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Indianapolis Colts in week 4 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Houston Texans in week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for an international game during week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 16 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Indianapolis Colts in week 4 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titan in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 11 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Indianapolis Colts in week 4 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for an international game during week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the New Orleans Saints in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals in week 18 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 5 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Indianapolis Colts in week 4 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 10 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 11 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 6 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for an international game during week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titan in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for an international game during week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titan in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Indianapolis Colts in week 4 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titans in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 12 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals in week 14 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in week 5 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 6 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the New Orleans Saints in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals in week 14 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titan in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for an international game during week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the New Orleans Saints in week 9 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Houston Texans in week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Carolina Panthers in the wild card round of the 2025 NFL post season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals in week 18 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 16 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals in week 14 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tennessee Titan in week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 11 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Houston Texans in week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Atlanta Falcons in week 17 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in week 16 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Detroit Lions in week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 12 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 12 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
As Stafford's candidacy for the award strengthened, teammates would consistently shower him with "MVP!" chants in the postgame locker room after wins.
The aforementioned humility made Stafford reluctant to receive that adulation from teammates in the moment.
He can allow himself to hear it now.
"I appreciate my teammates more than anything," Stafford said in his press conference after accepting the award. "I mean, they're just an unbelievable group of guys. I've been lucky over my career to play with so many great ones, and I've learned so much from all of them. This year was a special group, and obviously a special season for our team and for myself. And to be honest with you, even standing up there on stage, I wasn't totally comfortable in the moment.
"I love playing this game because I love being a part of it. I don't want to be the center of attention a whole lot. I love playing this game for the relationships, for the tough times, for the good times, and it just so happened that I got to stand up there and receive this amazing award that I don't take for granted. But so many people had so much to do with that. And those guys that used to chant MVP in the locker room for me, they mean the world to me. And I really did mean it when I thought, 'man, these these guys should have their name on this thing too.' It's a special team, a special group, and something that I'll always remember."
