The 2026 NFL Honors took place on February 5, 2026, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, just days before Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. The primetime awards show celebrated the best performances from the 2025 NFL season and revealed the new Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 live on stage.
Major AP award winners
Here are the headline Associated Press awards from the 2026 NFL Honors.
- Matthew Stafford Wins the Most Valuable Player Award | 2025 NFL Honors
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba Wins Offensive Player of the Year | 2025 NFL Honors
- Myles Garrett Wins Defensive Player of the Year | 2025 NFL Honors
- Tetairoa McMillan Wins Offensive Rookie of the Year | 2025 NFL Honors
- Carson Schwesinger Wins Defensive Rookie of the Year | 2025 NFL Honors
- Christian McCaffrey Wins Comeback Player of the Year | 2025 NFL Honors
- Mike Vrabel Wins Coach of the Year | 2025 NFL Honors
These awards spotlighted veterans like Stafford and Garrett while pushing emerging stars such as Smith-Njigba and McMillan into the national conversation.
Special awards and league honors
Beyond the AP trophies, the NFL used Honors night to recognize leadership, service, and on-field production across multiple categories.
- Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year: Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders
- Salute to Service Award: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
- Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award: Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals
- Deacon Jones Sack Leader Award: (winner listed among league stat leaders during the show)
- Jim Brown Award (rushing champion): (top rusher recognized in the 2025 season recap)
- FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year: Quarterback and running back honorees highlighted in the broadcast package.
- Protector of the Year: Chicago Bears offensive lineman (inaugural winner of this new trench award).
These recognitions helped round out the night by honoring community impact, sportsmanship, and statistical excellence, not just headline-grabbing highlight plays.
2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was officially revealed during the 2026 NFL Honors, featuring five legends from the modern era and seniors categories.
2026 Hall of Fame inductees
- Drew Brees, QB (Chargers, Saints)
- Larry Fitzgerald, WR (Cardinals)
- Luke Kuechly, LB (Panthers)
- Adam Vinatieri, K (Patriots, Colts)
- Roger Craig, RB (49ers, Raiders, Vikings), Seniors finalist
Brees and Fitzgerald entered Canton in their first year of eligibility, while Kuechly and Vinatieri were elected after previously being finalists. Craig’s selection as the lone seniors candidate underscored his pioneering role as a dual-threat back in the 49ers’ dynasty years.