Charlotte NC, January 23, 2026
Drake Maye, a Charlotte native and currently the quarterback for the New England Patriots, along with former Panthers star Christian McCaffrey, has been named as finalists for the NFL MVP award. Their exceptional performances throughout the season solidify their standings among the five top contenders for the prestigious honor. Maye has led his team to significant improvements, while McCaffrey achieved a remarkable season after overcoming injuries. The NFL Honors ceremony is set for February 5, where the award winners will be announced.
CHARLOTTE
Charlotte Native, Former Panthers Star Named NFL MVP Finalists
A Charlotte native and a prominent former Carolina Panthers player have been named among the five finalists for the highly coveted National Football League (NFL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Quarterback Drake Maye, a Charlotte native, and running back Christian McCaffrey, a former star player for the Panthers, are recognized for their exceptional performances during the recently concluded NFL season. They join Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, and Matthew Stafford as the top contenders for the league’s highest individual honor.
Drake Maye, currently the quarterback for the New England Patriots, has made a significant impact in only his second NFL season. He played a pivotal role in leading his team to a remarkable turnaround, which included a 10-win improvement that tied an NFL record. His efforts culminated in the Patriots finishing first in the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. Maye, who was drafted third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, also earned a second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors in 2025.
Christian McCaffrey, a dynamic running back for the San Francisco 49ers, previously spent five seasons and part of a sixth with the Carolina Panthers before being traded in 2022. His outstanding 2025 season saw him achieve a unique milestone by becoming only the second player in NFL history to be named a finalist for three major Associated Press (AP) NFL awards in the same year: the Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year. This recognition underscores McCaffrey’s exceptional versatility and resilience, especially after being limited to just four games in 2024 due to injury. In his impressive 2025 campaign, McCaffrey played all 17 games, leading the NFL in touches with 413 and accumulating 2,126 scrimmage yards, including 1,202 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns and 924 receiving yards with 7 touchdowns.
NFL Honors Ceremony Nears
The winners of these prestigious NFL awards, including the MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year, will be revealed at the annual NFL Honors ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place on February 5, where a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league will have cast their votes.
Other Recent Team Recognition
Beyond the MVP nominations, the Carolina Panthers organization also saw recent individual recognition. Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was named a finalist for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award by the Pro Football Writers of America.
The accomplishments of these players highlight a period of significant achievement and recognition within the NFL, with strong ties to the Charlotte area and the Carolina Panthers franchise.
Key Player Features and Achievements
| Player | Connection to Charlotte/Panthers | Current Team | Awards/Distinctions (2025 Season) | Key Statistics/Achievements (2025 Season) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Maye | Charlotte native | New England Patriots | NFL MVP Finalist Offensive Player of the Year Finalist 2x Pro Bowl (2024, 2025) Second-team All-Pro (2025) |
10-win team improvement (tied NFL record) Led Patriots to AFC East division title 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, 8 interceptions 69.8% completion percentage (NFL leader) 103.1 passer rating (NFL leader) |
| Christian McCaffrey | Former Carolina Panthers star player | San Francisco 49ers | NFL MVP Finalist Offensive Player of the Year Finalist Comeback Player of the Year Finalist First player to be a finalist for 3 AP NFL awards in same year (second player in NFL history) |
2,126 scrimmage yards (1,202 rushing, 924 receiving) 17 total touchdowns (10 rushing, 7 receiving) 413 total touches (NFL leader) Played all 17 games in 2025 season |
| Tetairoa McMillan | Carolina Panthers wide receiver | Carolina Panthers | Offensive Rookie of the Year Finalist (Pro Football Writers of America) | Specific statistics not provided in context, noted for being a top rookie contender. |
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