Hold on tight, football fans! The race for the NFL's most coveted awards just got a whole lot tighter. The finalists for the 2025 NFL Honors are in, and the competition is FIERCE. We're talking MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year – the whole shebang! The Associated Press (AP) revealed the nominees on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026, setting the stage for a night of celebration and (let's be honest) nail-biting suspense.
These finalists weren't chosen at random. The AP uses a carefully designed voting system, revamped back in 2022, where voters rank their top five picks for MVP and top three for all other awards. It's a system intended to reflect the true impact of each player and coach on the field. The winners will be revealed at the 15th annual NFL Honors ceremony on February 5th, a night you won't want to miss! Tune in live at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and NFL Network, or stream it on Peacock and NFL+. But before then, let's dive into the finalists, shall we?
AP Most Valuable Player presented by Invisalign
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills QB
- Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars QB
- Drake Maye, New England Patriots QB
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers RB
- Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams QB
It's a quarterback-heavy list, as usual, but the inclusion of Christian McCaffrey shows just how dominant a running back can be in today's NFL. But here's where it gets controversial... Is the MVP award always going to be a quarterback's trophy? Should a running back have to shatter records to even be considered? Let us know what you think in the comments!
AP Defensive Player of the Year presented by TCL
- Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans DE
- Nik Bonitto, Denver Broncos LB
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns DE
- Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions DE
- Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers DE
A mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars! The pressure is on for this group to prove their defensive prowess. Notice how Micah Parsons is listed as a DE for the Packers, a change from his previous role with the Cowboys. This could indicate a significant shift in Green Bay's defensive strategy.
AP Offensive Player of the Year presented by Microsoft Copilot
- Drake Maye, New England Patriots QB
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers RB
- Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams WR
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons RB
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks WR
This category showcases the diverse talent that drives NFL offenses. From quarterbacks to running backs to electrifying wide receivers, these players consistently deliver game-changing performances.
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year presented by EA SPORTS Madden NFL
- Jaxson Dart, New York Giants QB
- Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR
- TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots RB
- Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers WR
- Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints QB
The future is bright! These young guns burst onto the scene and immediately made an impact. Keep an eye on these names – they are likely to be stars for years to come.
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year presented by EA SPORTS Madden NFL
- Abdul Carter, New York Giants LB
- Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks DB
- James Pearce Jr., Atlanta Falcons DE
- Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns LB
- Xavier Watts, Atlanta Falcons S
Defense wins championships, and these rookies are already making a name for themselves on that side of the ball. The Atlanta Falcons boast two players on this list, suggesting a strong rookie class for the team.
AP Comeback Player of the Year
- Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots WR
- Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions DE
- Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars QB
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers RB
- Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys QB
Resilience is the name of the game. These players overcame adversity, whether it was injury, poor performance, or other challenges, to return to the top of their game. The inclusion of McCaffrey here is interesting. While he's been consistently great, this nomination likely reflects his ability to maintain that high level despite the physical demands of being a star running back.
AP Coach of the Year
- Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears
- Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks
- Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
- Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
These coaches led their teams to success through strategic brilliance and inspiring leadership. This is where the real debate begins! Ben Johnson turned the Bears around and the Jaguars had an amazing season after hiring Liam Coen, but this is the part most people miss... How much of a coach's success is due to their own genius, and how much is it the players executing the game plan?
AP Assistant Coach of the Year
- Vic Fangio, Philadelphia Eagles DC
- Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings DC
- Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos DC
- Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks OC
- Josh McDaniels, New England Patriots OC
The unsung heroes! These assistant coaches play a crucial role in developing game plans and mentoring players. The fact that three of the nominees are defensive coordinators highlights the increasing importance of defense in the modern NFL. The Eagles hiring Vic Fangio was a huge move, and his impact is clearly being recognized.
In addition to these awards, NFL Honors, hosted by the hilarious Jon Hamm, will also feature the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide, recognizing a player's commitment to community service, and the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Don't forget to tune in early for the NFL Honors Red Carpet Show presented by Invisalign, airing at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network, leading up to the main event. Be aware that local blackout restrictions may apply.
So, who do you think will take home the hardware? Are there any snubs that you feel strongly about? And more importantly, are the right criteria being used to determine these awards? Let your voice be heard in the comments below!
