NFL MVP: Matthew Stafford continues to play after winning the 2025 award

Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford has confirmed he will continue playing for at least one more season after being named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player for the first time.

The Los Angeles Rams star was the favorite for the award and beat out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye by one vote for first place.

The 37-year-old became the oldest quarterback to win his first MVP award, marking the QB’s 13th straight win.

Stafford was rumored to be considering retirement, and while on stage with his four daughters in San Francisco, he said, “See you guys next year.”

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about, whether I want to keep playing or not,” he added.

“I finished the season healthy, and I had a group of teammates and my girls with me, so it felt like the right thing to do at the moment. I’m happy to be back.”

Stafford hadn’t managed to record a playoff win in 12 years with the Detroit Lions, but after being traded to the Rams in 2021, he won a Super Bowl in his first season and is now named MVP.

The former first overall pick is just the second quarterback after Tom Brady (2007) to lead the NFL in touchdown passes, passing yards, and touchdown-interception percentage over the past 50 seasons.

He led the Rams to the NFC Championship game but the Seattle Seahawks won to book their spot in the Super Bowl on Sunday, where they will face the Patriots in Santa Clara.

Seattle’s Jackson Smith-Njigba was named Offensive Player of the Year at the NFL’s end-of-season awards night after leading the league in receiving yards.

New England’s Mike Vrabel won Coach of the Year honors after leading the Patriots to the Super Bowl in his first season as their head coach.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in three years after holding the single-season record.