“Night of the Stars: Every Major Winner from the 2026 NFL Honors” | SportInsiderly

The stage was glittering, the crowd was electric, and the stakes felt historic. The NFL Honors ceremony — held at San Francisco’s iconic Palace of Fine Arts just days before Super Bowl LX — turned into more than an awards show. It became a night of stories, comebacks, records, and leadership.

While the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots were preparing for battle at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the league’s brightest stars gathered to celebrate excellence on and off the field.

This article walks you through every major winner, the meaning behind each award, and why NFL Honors 2026 will be remembered as a truly special night.

NFL Award Ceremony: What Happens on Honors Night?

The NFL Award Ceremony is not just about trophies — it’s about legacy.

Here’s how the night typically unfolds:

Step 1 — Red Carpet & Tributes
Players, coaches, and legends arrive; highlights from the season play on giant screens.

Step 2 — Major Awards Revealed
Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Rookie awards are handed out live.

Step 3 — Emotional Speeches
Winners thank families, coaches, teammates, and often share personal stories of struggle.

Step 4 — Community Recognition
The NFL Man of the Year award spotlights character beyond football.

Step 5 — Super Bowl Momentum
The league shifts full attention to Super Bowl LX.

NFL Honors Winners: Complete 2026 Recap

Below is your clean snapshot of the biggest winners from NFL Honors 2026.

AwardWinnerTeamDefensive Player of the YearMyles GarrettCleveland BrownsOffensive Player of the YearJaxon Smith-NjigbaSeattle SeahawksOffensive Rookie of the YearTetairoa McMillanCarolina PanthersDefensive Rookie of the YearCarson SchwesingerCleveland BrownsProtector of the YearJoe ThuneyChicago BearsComeback Player of the YearChristian McCaffreySan Francisco 49ersCoach of the YearMike VrabelNew England Patriots

NFL Honors 2026 Winners — The Big Stories Behind the Trophies

Defensive Player of the Year — Myles Garrett (Browns)

Myles Garrett delivered one of the most dominant defensive seasons in NFL history.

Why he won:

• 23 sacks — a new single-season record

• Passed legends Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt

• Constantly double-teamed

• Still controlled games from the edge

Beyond sacks, Garrett logged 33 tackles for loss, proving he’s not just a pass rusher — he’s a complete defender.

Anecdote: After a late-season win, Garrett stayed on the field mentoring young linemen, drawing plays in the dirt — a moment many teammates later called “true leadership.”

Offensive Player of the Year — Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN) became Seattle’s greatest receiving weapon ever.

His season:

• 1,793 receiving yards — led the NFL

• Seahawks franchise record

• 10 touchdowns

• First-Team All-Pro

What makes this more impressive? Seattle was the league’s most run-heavy offense — yet JSN still dominated.

In the NFC Championship, he caught 10 passes for 153 yards, carrying the Seahawks to Super Bowl LX.

Who won Rookie of the year NFL 2026 — Full Breakdown

There were two rookie awards in 2026 — offense and defense.

Offensive Rookie of the Year — Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers)

Tetairoa McMillan transformed Carolina’s passing attack.

Stats:

• 70 catches

• 1,014 yards

• 7 touchdowns

• 27 explosive plays (16+ yards)

He became QB Bryce Young’s true No. 1 target.

Despite this, McMillan humbly said:

“I was just average.”
That mindset suggests a future superstar.

Defensive Rookie of the Year — Carson Schwesinger (Browns)

Carson Schwesinger was the heartbeat of Cleveland’s defense.

• 146 tackles (most among rookies)

• 11 tackles for loss

• 2 interceptions

• Wore the “green dot” helmet — calling defensive plays

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz praised his leadership and maturity.

Protector of the Year — Joe Thuney (Bears)

Joe Thuney became the first-ever winner of this award.

Why he deserved it:

• Allowed zero sacks

• Played 99.57% of snaps

• Helped cut QB Caleb Williams’ sacks by 44

He also switched to left tackle in the playoffs after an injury — showing elite versatility.

Career résumé:

• 2 Super Bowls with the Patriots

• 2 with the Chiefs

• Led Bears to a turnaround season

Comeback Player of the Year — Christian McCaffrey (49ers)

After serious knee and Achilles issues, Christian McCaffrey returned like a champion.

2025 numbers:

• 2,126 scrimmage yards

• 17 total touchdowns

• 413 touches (NFL-high)

• Started all 19 games

Coach Kyle Shanahan called it “one of the greatest individual seasons ever.”

NFL Coach of the year 2026 — Mike Vrabel (Patriots)

Mike Vrabel engineered one of the best turnarounds in NFL history.

• Patriots went from 4 wins to 14-3

• Reached the Super Bowl

• Tied the greatest turnaround in league history

Vrabel introduced the “4 Hs”:

1. History

2. Hero

3. Heartbreak

4. Hope

Players said this built real brotherhood.

Stefon Diggs called him “the best coach I’ve ever had.”

Who won MVP NFL 2026 — What We Know About the Award

The Who won MVP NFL 2026 conversation dominated headlines all season.

While MVP is traditionally revealed at NFL Honors, the award represents:

• Best overall player

• Leadership

• Consistency

• Impact on winning

Historically, winners come from elite QBs or game-changing skill players such as Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, or Lamar Jackson.

Fans entered the night debating candidates — proving how prestigious the trophy remains.

Who won NFL MVP 2026 — Why It Matters

The Who won NFL MVP 2026 result shapes:

• Hall of Fame debates

• Contract negotiations

• Legacy rankings

• Media narratives

Winning MVP places a player alongside legends like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

2026 NFL MVP — Bigger Than a Trophy

The 2026 NFL MVP is more than stats — it symbolizes leadership under pressure.

Voters consider:

• Wins

• Efficiency

• Clutch moments

• Team success

That’s why MVP night is always the most emotional part of NFL Honors.

NFL Man of the year — The Award That Matters Most

The NFL Man of the year award honors:

• Community service

• Charity work

• Leadership off the field

Named after Walter Payton, this is widely considered the league’s most meaningful honor.

Winners are celebrated not just as athletes — but as human beings who make a difference.

Why NFL Honors 2026 Will Be Remembered

The “Night of the Stars: Every Major Winner from the 2026 NFL Honors” | SportInsiderly wasn’t just about awards — it was about:

• Resilience (McCaffrey)

• Dominance (Garrett)

• Leadership (Vrabel)

• Breakthrough talent (Smith-Njigba & McMillan)

• Team-first mentality (Thuney)

And as the league turned toward Super Bowl LX, one thing was clear:

The stars had already shined — now it was time for history.

Stay connected with SportInsiderly for trusted updates, expert insight, and in-depth coverage of the stories that truly matter in world sports.

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