Round 1 goes to Matthew Stafford.
This season, there’s been plenty of debate over the NFL’s MVP award between Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Stafford. The veteran quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams led the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and passing touchdowns (46) while Maye led the league in passer rating (113.5) and completion percentage (72.0).
On Saturday, the Associated Press announced its annual All-Pro teams and, in this instance, voters sided with the veteran.
Stafford earned 31 first-place votes compared to Maye’s 18 to earn the first-All-Pro nod. Maye finished second in the voting to earn second-team All-Pro honors. This is the second accolade that the young quarterback earned this season. Maye was also named to the NFL’s Pro Bowl team last month.
The Patriots had two players land on the AP All-Pro team, with Marcus Jones being named to the Second Team as a punt returner.
Maye, 23, also finished fourth in the NFL in passing yards (4,394), third in passing touchdowns (31), and first in the NFL in total offense (4,643). The No. 3 overall pick in 2024, the young quarterback has been the best player on the Patriots roster this season and is a big reason why the team went from 4 wins a year ago to 14-3 this past season.
This season, the odds for the NFL’s MVP award have shifted between Stafford and Maye. Saturday’s AP results could be an indicator of how voters view the MVP race. The 2026 NFL MVP winner will be revealed at the 15th NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 5.
Jones tied for the NFL lead in punt return touchdowns with two. He also finished tied for the league lead in yards per punt return (17.3) and fourth in the NFL in total punt return yards. This is the second All-Pro honor for Jones, who was named to the First Team in 2022 as a returner.
This year, Jones was beat out on the first team by Tennessee’s Chimere Dike, who also scored two punt return touchdowns and averaged 17.3 yards per return. Jones earned 71 votes (17 first place) while Dike earned 90 votes (27 first place).
Jones also received one vote as a slot cornerback, tying for sixth at that position.
The Patriots didn’t have any other players on the All-Pro rosters, but had seven others receive votes.
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez finished fifth in cornerback voting with 20 votes (two first place). Receiver Stefon Diggs received one vote to tie for tenth. Tight end Hunter Henry finished fifth overall with three votes. Right guard Michael Onwenu received four votes and finished sixth. Safety Jaylinn Hawkins finished tenth with four votes, including one for first place.
On special teams, Brenden Schooler received one vote, and kick returner Antonio Gibson received another.