Highland Park High School graduate Matthew Stafford was named the 2025 Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player on Thursday night at NFL Honors in San Francisco, capping one of the most productive seasons of his 17-year career.
The Los Angeles Rams quarterback narrowly defeated New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in one of the closest MVP votes since 2003. Stafford received 366 total points and 24 first-place votes, edging Maye’s 361 points and 23 first-place votes. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert received the remaining first-place votes.
North Texas Roots, National Recognition
Stafford, a longtime North Texas resident while growing up, starred at Highland Park High School before playing college football at Georgia. He was selected first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions before joining the Rams in 2021.
Thursday’s MVP honor marks the first of Stafford’s career and comes more than a decade after he entered the league, underscoring the longevity and consistency of his performance at the sport’s highest level.
League-Leading Season
At age 37, Stafford delivered a standout 2025 campaign, leading the NFL in multiple passing categories, including:
- 4,707 passing yards
- 46 passing touchdowns
- 276.9 passing yards per game
- 236 passing first downs
He finished second in passer rating at 109.2 while throwing just eight interceptions. Stafford also led the Rams to the NFL’s top scoring offense, averaging 30.5 points per game.
Los Angeles finished the regular season 12–5, earning the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Individual Honors and Return Plans
In addition to winning MVP, Stafford earned his first first-team All-Pro selection and was named to the Pro Bowl for the third time in his career.
During his acceptance speech, Stafford confirmed he plans to return for the 2026 NFL season, saying he hopes his next appearance at NFL Honors comes after preparing for a Super Bowl rather than attending the ceremony.
The MVP award adds another milestone to Stafford’s career, which already includes a Super Bowl victory with the Rams, and places the Highland Park alumnus among the league’s most accomplished quarterbacks of the 2025 season.
