Matthew Stafford earned his first career first-team spot on the 2025 Associated Press All‑Pro Team after leading the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, edging Drake Maye in the voting. Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith‑Njigba were unanimous first‑team selections, while Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey filled the running back and all‑purpose roles. The ballot also gave Trey McBride 49 of 50 first‑place votes at tight end and placed Ja’Marr Chase as the third wide receiver. Voters used the AP’s updated two‑team system and results were tabulated by accounting firm Lutz and Carr.
Key Takeaways
- Matthew Stafford, 37, received 31 first‑place votes to claim his first first‑team All‑Pro honor in his 17th NFL season; Drake Maye had 18 first‑place votes and Josh Allen received one.
- Myles Garrett was a unanimous selection after setting the NFL single‑season sack record with 23 sacks.
- Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith‑Njigba were unanimous choices at receiver; Ja’Marr Chase was named the third receiver.
- Trey McBride tallied 49 of 50 first‑place votes at tight end; Bijan Robinson was the first‑team running back and Christian McCaffrey earned the all‑purpose spot.
- Edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Micah Parsons joined Garrett on the first team; interior defensive linemen were Jeffery Simmons and Zach Allen.
- Special teams featured several first‑time honorees, including Devon Key, rookie punt returner Chimere Dike and kick returner Ray Davis.
- The AP voting system awards 3 points for a first‑team vote and 1 point for a second‑team vote; votes were tallied by Lutz and Carr.
Background
The Associated Press All‑Pro Team is an annual recognition of the NFL’s top performers as determined by a national panel of voters. In 2025 the AP continued its two‑team format introduced in recent years: voters designate a first team and a second team, with weighted points deciding the roster. Historically, All‑Pro selections carry prestige distinct from the Pro Bowl and often influence contract negotiations, Hall of Fame discussions and legacy narratives for veteran players.
Stafford’s first‑time All‑Pro nod came late in a long career; according to the Elias Sports Bureau he is the second player to make a first‑team All‑Pro for the first time in his 17th season, joining kicker Gary Anderson (1998). The AP’s previous first‑team quarterback in the last season was Lamar Jackson, while Josh Allen was the AP NFL MVP the previous year. The AP release also noted several repeat selections — players whose performances have earned them consecutive recognition — and a substantial group of first‑time honorees, especially on special teams.
Main Event
The ballot results highlighted both established stars and emerging names. Stafford topped the quarterback voting with 31 first‑place votes, narrowly surpassing Maye (18) while Josh Allen received a single first‑place vote. Stafford finished the regular season with 4,707 yards and 46 TDs; his passer rating was 109.2, behind Maye’s 113.5. Voters credited Stafford’s production and veteran leadership in reaching the first‑team selection.
Defensive honors included a unanimous nod for Garrett, whose 23 sacks set a new single‑season NFL mark. Will Anderson Jr. and Micah Parsons joined Garrett on the edge, while Jeffery Simmons and Zach Allen were chosen as interior defensive linemen. The panel also recognized safeties Kyle Hamilton and Kevin Byard and linebackers Jack Campbell and Jordyn Brooks for first‑team spots.
On offense, receivers Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith‑Njigba were unanimous; Ja’Marr Chase joined them as the third receiver. Bijan Robinson was the top running back selection and Christian McCaffrey earned the all‑purpose designation. Trey McBride captured nearly all tight‑end first‑place votes, taking 49 of 50, underscoring his breakout season in a tight‑end group that drew strong voter support.
Analysis & Implications
Stafford’s All‑Pro recognition reshapes his late‑career narrative: a long-tenured quarterback earning first‑team honors in Year 17 strengthens his case in legacy debates and could affect offseason conversations about contract value and post‑season evaluations. The Elias Sports Bureau comparison to Gary Anderson underscores how rare such late first‑time selections are for position players. For Stafford personally, the award provides a benchmark after a statistically elite season.
Garrett’s unanimous selection and sack record have wider defensive implications. A 23‑sack season recalibrates how teams value elite pass rushers in free agency and draft planning; consistent pressure production typically correlates with greater defensive scheme investment and roster support. Garrett’s performance also raises the bar for defensive awards and could influence Defensive Player of the Year discussions.
The unanimous receiver selections and the inclusion of several young defensive backs signal shifting positional dynamos. Nacua and Smith‑Njigba’s consensus nods reflect high targeting and yardage production in passing attacks, while the presence of second‑year cornerbacks on the roster points to an influx of impactful underclass talent. Special teams and rookie returner recognitions highlight that game‑changing plays on punts and kicks remain a pathway to leaguewide acclaim.
Comparison & Data
| Quarterback | Passing Yards | TDs | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Stafford | 4,707 | 46 | 109.2 |
| Drake Maye | 4,394 | 31 | 113.5 |
| Josh Allen | (season stats varied) | (see team reports) | (received 1 first‑place vote) |
The table contrasts the two leading vote‑getters at quarterback. Stafford led the league in yards and TDs while Maye posted the top passer rating; both metrics influenced voter preferences. Voter behavior in the AP ballot often reflects a mix of raw totals and efficiency metrics, which can split support when candidates trade off yards, touchdowns and rating. The AP system’s point weighting (3 points/first‑team, 1 point/second‑team) also means a consensus of second‑team placements can affect final roster composition.
Reactions & Quotes
Players and coaches offered measured responses after the AP release, highlighting personal meaning and team recognition.
“That’s amazing. I did not see that coming. Played a lot of years. A lot of respect for this game. A lot of respect for the other guys who do what I do. It’s not an easy thing to do. It means a lot.”
Matthew Stafford
Stafford framed the honor as unexpected and meaningful after a long career. His comments emphasize respect for peers and the personal value of the All‑Pro distinction.
“That’s great. Needed that for real. Look forward to trying to get back to that same status this offseason.”
Micah Parsons
Parsons, recovering from surgery, described the selection as affirmation and noted a focus on offseason recovery and returning to form. The reaction underlines how awards can serve as milestones during injury rehab.
“That’s awesome. Everyone wants to be All‑Pro one day and that’s one of the goals I set at the beginning of the season for my career and to be able to do that in my first year, I’m just thankful (special teams) coach (John Fassel) and my teammates had belief in me.”
Chimere Dike
Rookie punt returner Chimere Dike described the honor as the result of team support and personal objectives, highlighting the pathway from rookie impact to league recognition.
Unconfirmed
- The AP does not publish the full voter list publicly; individual voter rationales beyond point totals are not disclosed.
- Detailed round‑by‑round vote breakdowns for every position beyond first‑place counts and the point system summary were not released with the AP summary.
Bottom Line
Matthew Stafford’s first first‑team All‑Pro selection crowns an exceptional statistical season and alters late‑career assessments of his standing among peers. The mix of unanimous choices, record‑setting performances and a notable group of first‑time honorees illustrates both established excellence and emerging contributors across the league.
For teams and agents, the AP roster will factor into offseason planning, award conversations and contract discussions; for fans, the list provides a data‑grounded snapshot of who defined the 2025 regular season. Expect further analysis as teams, analysts and the Elias Sports Bureau mine the vote totals and player metrics for longer‑term implications.