The National Football League (NFL) has officially confirmed the five finalists competing for the regular season Jogador Mais Valioso (MVP) award. The list, released this Thursday, reflects the dominance of the quarterback position in the current scenario of the sport, with four names in contention, in addition to the notable presence of the San Francisco 49ers running back, Christian McCaffrey, who had a historic campaign.
The nominees for the highest individual honor are Josh Allen, from Buffalo Bills, Trevor Lawrence, from Jacksonville Jaguars, Drake Maye, from New England Patriots, Matthew Stafford, from Cada one of them was fundamental to the success of their respective franchises, which reached decisive stages of the competition thanks to their consistent performances throughout the eighteen weeks.
The grand winner will be announced during the NFL Honors ceremony, a gala event scheduled to take place on February 5th, at Palace of Fine Arts, at San Francisco. Voting is conducted by a panel of 50 journalists from Associated Press, and votes exclusively consider the athletes’ performance during the regular season, without influence on the results obtained in the playoffs.
The finalists for AP Comeback Player of the Year!#NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/zajCTirmHH
— NFL (@NFL)January 22, 2026
The revival season of Matthew Stafford
At 37 years old, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford is experiencing one of the most productive periods of his career, commanding the Los Angeles Rams attack with impressive authority. Ele ended the season at the top of several statistical categories, leading the league with 4,707 yards thrown and an impressive 46 aerial touchdowns, twelve more than second place. Esses numbers not only surpass previous personal bests, but also consolidate him as the engine of the Californian team’s efficient offensive machine.
His nomination for the MVP award is a testament to his longevity and ability to remain at a very high competitive level in a league increasingly dominated by young athletes. Especialistas from the sport point out that the combination of his statistical performance with the Rams’s classification for the conference final places him as one of the historical favorites. A victory for Stafford would be the crowning achievement of a career marked by resilience and talent, solidifying his legacy as one of the great quarterbacks of his generation.
Drake Maye consolidates itself as the biggest revelation of the year
In his first full season as a starter, young Drake Maye, from New England Patriots, exceeded all expectations and established himself as the league’s main revelation. Ele led the team to an astonishing 14-win campaign, breaking franchise records for rookies and demonstrating maturity unusual for his age. Sua’s presence among the finalists interrupts a long sequence of nominations dominated by veterans, bringing new life to the dispute.
The big difference of Maye was its versatility. Além recorded the best rating in the NFL (113.5) and accumulated 4,394 total yards, he proved to be a constant threat in the ground game, scoring four rushing touchdowns and gaining first downs at critical moments. Essa’s ability to impact the game in multiple ways was crucial to Patriots’s return to the top of the AFC East division after a period of uncertainty and restructuring.
The quarterback’s performance forced opposing defenses to adapt their game plans, which further elevated his status among voters. Maye’s nomination not only rewards his individual talent, but also signals a new era for the New England franchise, which appears to have found its leader for the future.
Christian McCaffrey’s Unique Impact on San Francisco
Christian McCaffrey stands out as the only non-quarterback on the list of finalists, a feat that in itself highlights the magnitude of his season. The San Francisco 49ers running back was the most dynamic and versatile piece of the attack led by Kyle Shanahan, accumulating more than 2,000 total yards, including runs and receptions. Sua performance was so dominant that he became the first player in several years to be named as a finalist in three different categories in the NFL Honors, reinforcing his importance to the team’s success. Suas main achievements in the season include:
- League leadership in yards from scrimmage (running yards + receiving).
- Finalist for the Jogador Ofensivo award from Ano.
- Finalist for the Retorno award from Ano, after overcoming serious injuries.
Sua’s ability to act as an elite receiver from the backfield transformed the 49ers’ offensive dynamics, creating favorable matchups and opening up space for other players. Embora the recent history of the award favors quarterbacks, McCaffrey’s impact on the field is undeniable, being considered by many analysts as the most complete and indispensable player in the entire league this season.
Josh Allen seeks second title at the award
Current holder of the MVP trophy, the Buffalo Bills quarterback, Josh Allen, arrives again as a strong candidate, seeking the rare feat of two consecutive championships. Although his aerial yardage numbers were slightly lower than those of Stafford, his efficiency as a dual threat continues to be an absolute difference. Allen once again demonstrated his physical strength and agility by scoring 14 rushing touchdowns, an impressive mark that puts him on the same level as many elite running backs in the NFL.
Allen’s leadership was put to the test during a season of ups and downs for Bills, but he responded with decisive performances in the final stretch, especially in December, ensuring the team’s qualification for the playoffs. Sua ability to improvise plays under pressure and extend time in the pocket are characteristics that make him one of the most difficult players to stop. Para the judges, maintaining such a high level of play after an MVP season is a factor that certainly weighs in his favor in the vote.
Other categories also have their finalists defined
In addition to the fierce competition for the MVP award, the NFL also announced the finalists for other individual honors. In the Jogador Defensivo and Ano category, the competition promises to be intense, with established names such as Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns) and Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys) once again appearing as favorites. Will Anderson Jr., from Houston Texans, was also nominated after an impactful season, leading one of the most improved defenses in the league.
Among the freshmen, the competition is even, with attack and defense athletes who took on immediate leading roles in their teams. The category of Calouro Ofensivo of Ano and Calouro Defensivo of Ano will reward the young talents who stood out the most in their debut year.
The Associated Press voting system is designed to be strictly technical and objective, ensuring that the award reflects consistency throughout the entire regular season. The results of the playoffs or Super Bowl are not taken into account, focusing only on the merit of the performance presented between September and January.
The NFL Honors ceremony will also celebrate the community work of athletes with the presentation of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, recognizing the player with the greatest positive social impact off the field.
The ceremony in San Francisco
The awards event will be held at the historic Palace of Fine Arts, in San Francisco, and will be hosted by actor Jon Hamm. The broadcast is scheduled to begin at 9pm (local time) and promises a record global audience, airing on multiple streaming platforms and television networks. The night will also be marked by the official announcement of the Hall, Fama, Futebol Americano Profissional class of 2026.
Historical dominance of quarterbacks
The composition of this year’s list of finalists reinforces a historical trend in the NFL: the appreciation of the quarterback position. Nas In the last two decades, the MVP award was mostly won by players in this position, due to their direct impact on the results of games. The appointment of Christian McCaffrey is a notable exception that breaks this hegemony and celebrates a different kind of dominance on the field.
The last time a non-quarterback player won the award was in 2012, with running back Adrian Peterson. McCaffrey’s campaign reignites the debate about how a player’s value should be measured, whether by leadership and game control, characteristic of a quarterback, or by physical dominance and versatility, as demonstrated by the 49ers star.