NFL Honors 2026: Early award results set the tone entering Super Bowl LX
NFL Honors returned Thursday night, Feb. 5, 2026, in San Francisco, delivering the first wave of major season awards just days before Super Bowl LX. Several headline trophies were decided quickly, including a unanimous Defensive Player of the Year vote and a clear Offensive Rookie of the Year winner, while other top categories were still pending or not yet fully reflected in publicly posted winner lists at the time of this update (early Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 ET).
A fast start for the biggest defensive headline
The early spotlight went to Cleveland edge rusher Myles Garrett, who was announced as Defensive Player of the Year with a unanimous vote. The sweep mattered for more than ceremony: it reinforced how dominant his 2025 regular season was viewed across the league’s voting panel, and it put a defensive stamp on an awards night that often tilts quarterback-heavy.
Garrett’s night also doubled as a reminder that individual awards are judged on regular-season production and impact, not postseason outcomes. With the Super Bowl still ahead, the league’s top defensive honor landing decisively helped frame the weekend as more than just a quarterback duel.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: a wideout wins the moment
Carolina receiver Tetairoa McMillan won Offensive Rookie of the Year after a season that separated him from a quarterback-heavy rookie conversation. His case centered on production and consistency: high-volume receiving totals, touchdowns, and a role that clearly shaped how defenses played Carolina each week.
The result also underscored a broader trend: elite rookie pass-catchers can now win major awards without needing a historically great rookie quarterback season to “open the door.” McMillan didn’t simply edge the field—he ran away with it.
Comeback and Coach: narrative meets measurable results
San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey took home Comeback Player of the Year, an award that often hinges on a clean “before-and-after” story backed by real workload and performance. His season delivered both: availability after prior health issues, plus top-tier production over a full slate.
Coach of the Year went to New England’s Mike Vrabel, a recognition that typically rewards team-level transformation as much as schematic excellence. The win also adds an extra layer to Super Bowl week: Vrabel enters the title game not only coaching for a ring, but doing so with the league’s top coaching honor already secured.
Snapshot: confirmed awards announced so far
| Award | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive Player of the Year | Myles Garrett | Browns |
| Offensive Rookie of the Year | Tetairoa McMillan | Panthers |
| Comeback Player of the Year | Christian McCaffrey | 49ers |
| Coach of the Year | Mike Vrabel | Patriots |
| Protector of the Year | Joe Thuney | Bears |
| Assistant Coach of the Year | Josh McDaniels | Patriots |
What remains unclear as the weekend builds
NFL Honors typically culminates with several marquee announcements beyond the categories above, including MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year honor, along with additional recognitions and the Hall of Fame reveal. As of this update (early Feb. 6, 2026 ET), some public winner roundups still showed blanks for a few of those top-line awards even after the show window, and a complete, single definitive list was not consistently posted in one place.
Practically, that means fans tracking the night in pieces may see “confirmed” winners in some categories while still waiting for a clean, consolidated release for the full set. If you’re following Super Bowl narratives, the biggest thing to watch is how the remaining awards distribute credit between the two Super Bowl teams versus standout seasons elsewhere—especially MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, which can reshape the storyline heading into kickoff.
Why this year’s results matter heading into Super Bowl LX
Awards don’t change the score on Sunday, but they do change the atmosphere. A unanimous defensive winner, a decisive rookie pick, and a Super Bowl coach taking home Coach of the Year all sharpen the conversation: dominance, not just popularity, drove several outcomes.
The next layer is whether the final headline awards (especially MVP) align with the Super Bowl matchup or spread the spotlight across the league. Either way, the early results already delivered a clear message: 2025 wasn’t defined by one storyline—several teams and stars forced their way into the league’s biggest week.
Sources consulted: Associated Press, NFL.com, ESPN, CBS Sports
