Sports
Matthew Stafford's MVP, return announcement highlights NFL Honors
Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks on field before the 2026 NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Matthew Stafford played it coy minutes before the NFL Honors event kicked off Thursday night by saying he still had to figure out if he would return for an 18th season.
Less than two hours later, Stafford was narrowly named NFL Most Valuable Player and was on the stage in San Francisco, surrounded by his four daughters.
It was time to reveal the secret he was keeping as he addressed his daughters.
“You are unbelievable cheerleaders for me and I appreciate it,” Stafford said to the girls. “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 ass.”
Stafford then looked toward the audience as Rams coach Sean McVay jumped out of his chair in celebration.
“I will see you guys next year,” said Stafford, “and hopefully I’m not at this event and we’re getting ready for another game (Super Bowl LXI) at SoFi.”
Stafford edged New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the MVP balloting and was the biggest winner at the annual awards showcase that leads up to Sunday’s Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Defensive end Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns was the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year after his record 23-sack season.
Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots was named Coach of the Year after guiding the club to a 14-3 regular-season record and a Super Bowl berth in his first season with the team.
Washington Commanders veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was named Comeback Player of the Year.
Carolina Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger took Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Guard Joe Thuney of the Chicago Bears won the inaugural Protector of the Year award.
Stafford received 24 of 50 first-place MVP votes and 366 total points to beat out Maye, who had 23 and 361, respectively. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, the 2024 MVP, received two first-place votes and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had one.
Allen was third in the balloting with 91 points. McCaffrey (71) was fourth and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (49) was fifth.
It marks the first time Stafford has won the award in 17 NFL seasons, the first 12 with the Detroit Lions and the last five with the Rams.
Stafford, who turns 38 on Saturday, hadn’t previously committed to return for 2026.
Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns in 2025 despite playing through back issues. He didn’t miss a game and was intercepted eight times in 597 attempts.
The big disappointment was the Rams falling to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.
“This team was really special and it didn’t end the way we wanted it to but I will never forget it,” Stafford said.
To the surprise of nobody, Garrett was a runaway winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award. His record-breaking season allowed him to win the top defensive player honor for the second time in the past three seasons.
“It doesn’t start with me,” Garrett said. “It starts with great teammates, a great organization, great coaches and I’m thankful for every one of my teammates who got me up here. It’s not possible without them and their blood, their sweat, their tears.”
The other finalists were defensive end Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans, linebacker Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions and defensive end Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers.
Vrabel earned the top coach honor over a stellar group of finalists that included Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars), Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears), Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks) and Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco).
“It’s an honor to be recognized amongst the great coaches of our league,” Vrabel said in a video. “Ultimately, my name will go on this award, but this award belongs to a building and a staff and ultimately it belongs to the men in the locker room who believed even when they couldn’t see it.”
Wagner earned the Man of the Year award for his charitable work, specifically his work toward helping identify signs of a stroke. His mother died in 2009 from complications of a stroke.
“She is and will forever be my rock,” Wagner said. “She’s the reason why I’m standing here. She’s a person that had confidence in me when I didn’t even have confidence in myself.”
McCaffrey was limited to four games in 2024 due to Achilles and knee injuries. He was injury free in 2025 and rushed for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 102 passes for 924 yards and seven scores.
“This is huge honor,” McCaffrey said. “Anytime you have to come back from injuries it’s extremely tough physically, emotionally and mentally.”
The other comeback candidates were Hutchison, Lawrence, New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Smith-Njigba wasn’t in attendance with his focus on Sunday’s game. He led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards while catching 119 passes, including 10 for scores, in his third season with the Seahawks.
The others finalists were Maye, McCaffrey, Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.
McMillan had a strong rookie season with 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. He was the No. 8 overall pick out of Arizona.
Scheswinger racked up 156 tackles — sixth most in the NFL — and had 2.5 sacks and two interceptions. He was a second-round draft pick out of UCLA.
The Protector the Year was a first-time award. Buffalo Bills star left tackle Dion Dawkins pushed hard to get it added to the list of accolades. Thuney took the honor in his first season with Chicago and 10th NFL campaign overall.
“I’m not a one-man operation,” Thuney said. “… I really appreciate all the former O-linemen who played in this league, the unsung heroes of the past who laid the foundation for those of us to play the game we love.”
NFL Honors award winners
Most Valuable Player
–Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Offensive Player of the Year
–Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle
Defensive Player of the Year
–Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland
Offensive Rookie of the Year
–Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina
Defensive Rookie of the Year
–Carson Schwesinger, LB, Cleveland
Comeback Player of the Year
–Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco
Coach of the Year
–Mike Vrabel, New England
Assistant Coach of the Year
–Josh McDaniels, New England
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
–Bobby Wagner, LB, Washington
–Field Level Media
Sports
Chris Gotterup on top, Scottie Scheffler in trouble at WM Phoenix Open
Feb 5, 2026; Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Chris Gotterup of the United States putts on hole 18 during the first round of the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Anna Carrington-Imagn Images Chris Gotterup owns a two-stroke lead at the WM Phoenix Open after shooting an 8-under-par 63 in the first round at TPC Scottsdale that was suspended due to darkness Thursday in Arizona.
Nine players, none of them lower than 3 under for their rounds, have one or two holes left to complete Friday morning before getting on with the second round.
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick shot a 7-under 29 on the back nine (his first nine holes of the day) but bogeyed his closing two holes to settle for a 6-under 65. Tied for third at 5-under 66 are Michael Thorbjornsen, Pierceson Coody, Sam Stevens and Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard.
Gotterup began his bogey-free round on the back nine and got into red figures with an eagle at the par-5 13th. He reached the green in two and sank a 27-foot eagle putt to jumpstart his round.
The 26-year-old proceeded to birdie the next three holes, capped by a 7-footer at the famed par-3 16th, Scottsdale’s “Stadium Hole.” Gotterup added another birdie at No. 18 and two more on the front nine.
It has been a dream start to the 2026 season for Gotterup. He won his third PGA Tour title at the season-opening Sony Open in Hawaii, then tied for 18th at the Farmers Insurance Open last week.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is in danger of missing the cut after signing for a 2-over-par 73. On his back-nine start, he made four birdies but followed three of those immediately with a bogey. His struggles continued with a three-putt bogey at No. 1 and a messy double bogey at No. 2.
When Xander Schauffele missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open, it left Scheffler as the active leader on tour with 65 consecutive cuts made.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Bo Horvat comes to rescue, Islanders sweep series with Devils
Feb 3, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (14) celebrates his game winning overtime goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins with center Mathew Barzal (13) and defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Bo Horvat scored the go-ahead goal with 3:27 left to play to lead the New York Islanders to a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday in Newark, N.J.
Casey Cizikas and Mathew Barzal each added a goal for the Islanders, while Horvat assisted on Barzal’s empty-netter for a two-point night. Ilya Sorokin saved 23 of the 24 shots he faced.
New York won all four games against New Jersey this season.
Nico Hischier scored the Devils’ lone goal and he was assisted by Jesper Bratt and goaltender Jake Allen. New Jersey will go into the Olympic break on a three-game losing streak.
Horvat’s team-high 24th goal of the season came off a faceoff win in the Devils’ zone. After the puck stayed loose for a few seconds, the Islanders’ captain slid a backhand shot past Allen to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead.
Barzal added the finishing touches for New York with an empty-net goal with 24 seconds remaining.
The Islanders opened up the scoring in the second period when Cizikas beat Allen by tipping in a rebound. It was Cizikas’ seventh goal of the season and his first since Jan. 10.
After having a pair of high-danger chances of their own, including a kick save from defenseman Adam Pelech to deny Lenni Hameenaho on a wide-open shot attempt, the Devils finally broke through with 1:34 left in the second.
Hischier tied the game at 1 with his 19th goal of the season after beating Sorokin with a slap shot that snuck over his left shoulder and into the top corner. It was the Devils’ first goal in more than 140 minutes.
The first period saw a scoreless draw, but there were plenty of opportunities on both sides. Both teams hit the crossbar at different points, including New Jersey’s Dawson Mercer on a breakaway chance against Sorokin.
The Islanders only recorded two shots on goal, but missed the net on a pair of high-danger chances. New Jersey had six shots on goal in the first period. In total, the Devils outshot the Islanders 24-14.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Super Bowl LX: Seahawks' Nick Emmanwori (ankle) skips practice
Feb 5, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) talks to media members at the San Jose Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Seattle Seahawks practiced for 1 hour, 47 minutes without pads on Thursday, their second practice of Super Bowl week. It was sunny and 74 degrees when the team began with a stretch period at 2 p.m.
Rookie safety Nick Emmanwori did not participate in practice because of an ankle injury he sustained a day earlier. He was not on the field on Thursday. Head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters Thursday morning before practice that Emmanwori had a low ankle sprain and he “fully expects” him to play Sunday.
When asked what the practice plan for Emmanwori will be for Seattle’s remaining practices, Macdonald said the team would “take it day by day.”
“See how he’s feeling,” Macdonald said. “He’ll be ready to go regardless. Let’s do the smartest thing for us and him every day, and make sure we’re ready to go, We’ll evaluate it tomorrow and see how much he can do.”
Quarterback Sam Darnold was a full participant in practice for the first time since injuring his oblique on Jan. 15.
Two Seattle players were limited in practice Thursday: left tackle Charles Cross (foot) and fullback Robbie Ouzts (neck).
Ten other Seattle players on the injury report fully participated in practice: wide receiver Jake Bobo (hand), linebacker Ernest Jones IV (chest), tackle Josh Jones (ankle/knee), linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (not injury-related — rest), safety Julian Love (shoulder), fullback Brady Russell (hand), tight end Eric Saubert (hamstring), receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (not injury-related — rest), linebacker Drake Thomas (shoulder), defensive end Leonard Williams (not injury-related — rest).
Seahawks players practiced Thursday to a high-energy classic rock playlist featuring Creed, Linkin Park and Metallica.
“I do prefer the music on Thursdays compared to Wednesdays,” Macdonald said. “Thankful to Cooper Kupp on that motion. He asked for more classic rock on Thursdays, and we obliged.”
Seattle players spent the first hour on Thursday in position-specific drills and about 45 minutes in a team period. Players looked loose, running back Velus Jones Jr. sang along to “Eye of the Tiger” and several players and coaches started dancing during a break in the team period when the song “Percolator” played.
On one third down during a team period with the first-team defense facing the scout-team offense, Williams and Lawrence turned to the sideline and raised their arms up and down, signaling for a non-existent crowd to make some noise.
“Wednesday is normally more of a work day for us,” Macdonald said. “Today is more of … energetic (than) a normal Thursday. Guys did a great job.”
NBC analysts, sideline reporters and crew attended Seattle’s practice ahead of their production meetings with the team.
Kupp broke down the team after practice. Macdonald declined to share the veteran player’s message.
“We’ll leave that with our guys, but he was great,” Macdonald said.
The Seahawks will practice again Friday afternoon.
–Pro Football Writers of America
Chris Gotterup on top, Scottie Scheffler in trouble at WM Phoenix Open
Bo Horvat comes to rescue, Islanders sweep series with Devils
