Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the National Football League (NFL).
In the closest NFL MVP vote since 2003, when Peyton Manning and Steve McNair shared the honor, Stafford earned a total of 366 points, just five more than New England Patriots quarterback Drake May, who finished second in the 50-person voting.
Last season's NFL MVP, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, finished in third place with 91 points, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was fourth with 71 points, while Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence came in fifth with 49 points.
Stafford (37), who won the NFL MVP award for the first time in his career, received a total of 24 votes for first place, just one more than May, who will play with the Petrots against the Seattle Seahawks in the 60th Super Bowl on Sunday night.
The remaining first-place votes went to Josh Allen (two votes) and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (one vote). Stafford led the NFL in passing yards (4.707) and total touchdowns (46) this season, as well as being second in passer rating (109,2). With 4.394 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, May led the NFL in passer rating (113,5) and completion percentage (72 percent). Stafford said after winning the MVP award that he would not retire from playing just yet, as he would try to win his second NFL championship with the Rams, who lost to Seattle in the National Conference Finals this year. "Oh yeah, I'll be back. It was such a great season and I played with such a great group of guys and a great group of coaches that I was lucky to finish this season healthy, and I want to make sure I get out there and see what happens next year," Stafford told the Associated Press (AP).
After thanking his team, Stafford emphasized how much the support of his wife and daughter means to him.
"You guys are incredible cheerleaders for me. I appreciate it. I'm so happy to have you on the sidelines with me at games and I can't wait for you to cheer me on next year when we're out there kicking ass," said the Rams quarterback.
Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett was unanimously chosen as the NFL's best defensive player, having set a new NFL record for the number of quarterback sacks behind the line of scrimmage this season - 23.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jackson Smith-Njigba, who led the NFL in receiving yards this season with 1.793, was named the best offensive player.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was named the best coach.
The Patriots finished the regular season in second place in the American Conference standings with 14 wins and three losses, the same score as the first-place Denver Broncos.
Vrabel thus became only the seventh coach in NFL history to win this award with two different teams, after being the league's best coach with the Tennessee Titans in 2021.
The Comeback Player of the Year award went to San Francisco 49ers' Christian McCaffrey, who became the first running back to win the award in 24 years.
Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schweitzer was named the best defensive rookie, while Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetaiori McMillan was named the best offensive rookie.
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has been named the NFL's assistant coach of the year.
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