If Super Bowl LX wanted an energized launch pad to jump-start the football weekend straight into Super Bowl Sunday, the Thursday night live broadcast of the 15th annual NFL Honors provided the perfect takeoff on NBC and Peacock as the league huddled to celebrate its best. 

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford took home this year’s MVP award during an NFL Honors ceremony that ran the full emotional gamut. Moments of wholesome whimsy — like Stafford’s red carpet moment with his adorable family — merged with more poignant pauses of somber reflection, including the night’s touching “In Memoriam” segment to honor late NFL greats. 

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But with host Jon Hamm overseeing proceedings, the party vibes remained buoyant all through the night. Celebrity presenters rubbed elbows with Hall of Fame NFL legends (we’re looking at you, Druski and Steve Young!) — all to hand out well-earned awards for the top team contributors from the 2025-2026 NFL season. 

Mike Vrabel, Super Bowl-bound head coach of the New England Patriots, took home his second Coach of the Year honor, while Washington Commanders LB Bobby Wagner walked away with the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award — a distinction especially cherished by past winners for recognizing excellence in both football and philanthropy. 

Ready to scope the full winners’ list before Super Bowl LX kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock on Sunday, February 8? Keep on scrolling for every 2026 NFL Honors award — from Rookie of the Year to an all-new class of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. 

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All the 2026 award winners at the 15th annual NFL HonorsMVP — Matthew Stafford (QB), Los Angeles RamsCoach of the Year — Mike Vrabel, New England PatriotsComeback Player of the Year — Christian McCaffrey (RB), San Francisco 49ersOffensive Player of the Year — Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR), Seattle SeahawksDefensive Player of the Year — Myles Garrett (DE), Cleveland BrownsOffensive Rookie of the Year — Tetairoa McMillan (WR), Carolina PanthersDefensive Rookie of the Year — Carson Schwesinger (LB), Cleveland BrownsAssistant Coach of the Year — Josh McDaniels (OC), New England PatriotsProtector of the Year — Joe Thuney (G),| Chicago Bears

New for this year’s NFL Honors, the Protector of the Year award recognizes the league’s top offensive lineman — an unsung-hero’s role that historically hasn’t received quite the same love as the skill positions that light up each football weekend’s highlight reel. Joining Thuney among the inaugural list of 2026 nominees were the Denver Broncos’ Garett Bolles (LT), the Broncos’ Quinn Meinerz (RG), the Kansas City Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey (C), the Detroit Lions’ Penei Sewell (RT), and the Miami Dolphins’ Aaron Brewer (C).

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Who was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame at 2026 NFL Honors?

NFL Honors also serves as the annual platform for unveiling a new class of inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Announced live during Thursday’s NFL Honors show on NBC and Peacock, this year’s new inductees will be enshrined just ahead of the upcoming 2026-2027 NFL season during the annual Hall of Fame ceremony in Canton, Ohio on Saturday, August 8.

Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL class of 2026Drew Brees (QB)Roger Craig (RB)Larry Fitzgerald (WR)Luke Kuechly (LB)Adam Vinatieri (kicker)

The NFL anticipation is building toward Super Bowl Sunday, when the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots get set to square off February 8 in Super Bowl LX on NBC and Peacock. Live pregame coverage across both platforms begins at 1 p.m. ET, followed by the Super Bowl LX opening ceremony at 6 p.m. ET, and kickoff (at last!) from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California at 6:30 p.m. ET. 

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