Rams' Matthew Stafford Named NFL MVP

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Matthew Stafford edged Drake Maye for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award on Thursday night in the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003.

Stafford received 24 of 50 first-place votes while Maye got 23.

Stafford earned the award after producing one of the most statistically productive seasons of his career. The 37-year-old led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes while throwing eight interceptions, according to NFL.com. He also ranked second in passer rating at 109.2 and led the league in passing first downs, according to NFL.com.

Stafford brought his four daughters — all dressed in identical black-and-white dresses — to the stage to accept the MVP award.

Stafford thanked his team and saved his wife and daughters for last: “You’re unbelievable cheerleaders for me. I appreciate it. I am so happy to have you at the games on the sideline with me, and I can’t wait for you to cheer me on next year when we’re out there kicking (butt).”

It was Stafford’s way of announcing he will be back next season after contemplating retirement.

The veteran quarterback helped guide the Rams to a 12-5 regular-season record and the fifth seed in the NFC playoffs. Los Angeles finished with the league’s top scoring offense, averaging 30.5 points per game.

Stafford entered the season facing questions about his health after dealing with a back injury before the season. He remained available throughout the season and started all 17 games, completing his third Pro Bowl campaign and earning his first first-team All-Pro selection, according to the NFL.com.

The former No. 1 overall pick by the Detroit Lions in 2009 has spent the latter portion of his career with the Rams after being traded to Los Angeles in 2021. He previously won Super Bowl LVI in his first season with the franchise.

The MVP award adds to a résumé that includes a Super Bowl title, multiple Pro Bowl selections and more than a decade as a starting quarterback, further solidifying Stafford’s place among the league’s most accomplished passers of his era.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Editor’s Note: This article was formatted in part by an artificial intelligence summarization tool.