Rams' Stafford named MVP, Garrett top defensive player

SAN FRANCISCO — Matthew Stafford walked away with the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award and a declaration that he's returning to the Los Angeles Rams for another season.Stafford edged Drake Maye for the MVP award Thursday in the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003.Stafford received 24 of 50 first-place votes while Maye got 23. But Maye has a chance to go home this week with a Vince Lombardi Trophy. He leads the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday.Stafford, who turns 38 on Saturday, wants another opportunity to try to win his second Super Bowl ring with the Rams."Oh yeah, I'll be back. It was such an amazing season and I play with such a great group of guys and great group of coaches that I was lucky enough to finish this season healthy, and I wanna make sure that I go out there and see what happens next year," Stafford told the AP.Stafford brought his four daughters — all dressed in identical black-and-white dresses — to the stage to accept the award.Myles Garrett was a unanimous choice for the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award after setting a season record for sacks with 23. Garrett became the ninth player to win DPOY multiple times and second unanimous choice following J.J. Watt, who did it in 2014. Cleveland's edge rusher also was a unanimous All-Pro selection. Garrett previously won the award in 2023. "It doesn't just start with me," he said. "It starts with great teammates, a great organization, great coaches being able to put us in position. I'm thankful for every single one of teammates to help get me up here. It's not possible without them." Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. finished second with 77 points, Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons came in third (63). Garrett surpassed both Michael Strahan (22.5) and T.J. Watt (22.5) when he sacked Joe Burrow in the final game of the regular season. All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba beat out Christian McCaffrey for the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.New England's Mike Vrabel beat out Jacksonville's Liam Coen for the AP NFL Coach of the Year award, becoming the seventh coach to win it with two different teams.McCaffrey became the first running back to win the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 24 years.Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger was a runaway winner for the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Schwesinger received 40 first-place votes and had 441 points to become the sixth player in the last 45 seasons to win the award after not being picked in the first round. Shaq Leonard (2018) and DeMeco Ryans (2006) were the only others in the last 20 seasons. Cleveland selected Schwesinger in the second round at No. 33 overall. Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan ran away with the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the playoffs began.