The prestigious Associated Press NFL awards, widely regarded as the league's official honours, are set to be unveiled in a glittering ceremony next month. With eight coveted trophies up for grabs, the anticipation is building among fans, players, and coaches alike as the football world turns its attention to the annual NFL Honors event.
The Ceremony: Timing and Broadcast Details
Since 2012, the winners of these esteemed awards have been announced at the NFL Honors awards show. This year's ceremony, hosted by the acclaimed actor Jon Hamm, is scheduled to commence at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, February 5th, 2026. For viewers in the United Kingdom, this translates to a 2 a.m. GMT start on Friday, February 6th.
The show will be broadcast live on the NBC and NFL Network television channels. Additionally, streaming options will be available through the Peacock and NFL+ digital platforms, ensuring fans can tune in from virtually anywhere.
The Awards: A Legacy of Excellence
The eight Associated Press NFL awards represent the pinnacle of individual achievement in professional American football. The categories are:
- Most Valuable Player (MVP) – an award the AP has been presenting since the 1950s.
- Coach of the Year
- Assistant Coach of the Year
- Comeback Player of the Year
- Offensive Player of the Year
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Defensive Rookie of the Year
The Voting Process: A Panel of Experts
The selection of winners is entrusted to a distinguished nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the National Football League. This group completed its voting before the commencement of the playoffs, ensuring decisions are based solely on regular-season performances.
The electorate includes notable figures such as Pro Football Hall of Famers Tony Dungy and Kurt Warner, as well as Rich Gannon, the 2002 AP NFL MVP. Each voter submits a ranked top-five selection for every award category.
The Weighted Point System
A refined weighted point system, introduced in 2022, determines the final standings. Points are allocated as follows:
- First-place vote: 10 points
- Second-place vote: 5 points
- Third-place vote: 3 points
- Fourth-place vote: 2 points
- Fifth-place vote: 1 point
The independent accounting firm of Lutz and Carr is responsible for the official tabulation of all votes, guaranteeing integrity and accuracy in the results.
The Finalists: Star-Studded Contenders
The list of finalists showcases the exceptional talent across the league, with several players and coaches in contention for multiple honours.
Most Valuable Player
The race for the 2025 AP NFL MVP award features a highly competitive field. The finalists are Christian McCaffrey, Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye, and Matthew Stafford.
Coach of the Year
Leading the sideline excellence, the finalists for Coach of the Year are Liam Coen, Ben Johnson, Mike Macdonald, Kyle Shanahan, and Mike Vrabel.
Offensive Player of the Year
Christian McCaffrey makes history as the first player ever to be a finalist for three separate AP NFL awards in a single season: MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year. He is joined in the Offensive Player of the Year category by fellow finalists Drake Maye, Puka Nacua, Bijan Robinson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Defensive Player of the Year
The finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year award are Will Anderson Jr., Nik Bonitto, Myles Garrett, Aidan Hutchinson, and Micah Parsons, highlighting the formidable defensive talent across the league.
As the countdown to NFL Honors 2026 continues, the football community eagerly awaits the announcement of the winners, celebrating the outstanding individuals who have defined the season.
