Tom Brady's release of his personal 2025 NFL awards ballot sent shockwaves through the football community, not through controversy but through the sheer conviction behind his selections. The Fox Sports analyst and Las Vegas Raiders minority owner publicly shared his choices for the season's top honors, providing unprecedented insight into how the greatest quarterback of his generation evaluates the current NFL landscape.
Beyond Star Power: The Intent Behind Brady's Picks
What immediately stood out about Brady's list wasn't merely the star power of his selections, but the deliberate intent behind them. His choices represented a thoughtful blend of statistical dominance, clutch timing, and trust in players who consistently delivered in winning moments. Rather than following consensus thinking, Brady leaned heavily into performance over popularity, which explains why both fans and league insiders paused to examine his ballot with particular interest.
Matthew Stafford Earns Brady's MVP Nod
Matthew Stafford topped Brady's Player of the Year list, a selection that mirrored the Rams quarterback's commanding performance throughout the 2025 season. Stafford's case required little embellishment—he demonstrated sharp accuracy, remarkable durability, and decisive playmaking when games mattered most. Brady reinforced this choice by making it clear that if he holds an MVP vote in future seasons, Stafford would remain his preferred pick, following his pattern of backing Lamar Jackson the previous year before Josh Allen ultimately claimed the award.
Offensive and Defensive Honors
The Offensive Player of the Year selection presented an unusual twist, with Brady splitting the honor between Rams receiver Puka Nacua and Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. This rare dual recognition highlighted how both players fundamentally redefined their respective offenses through distinct approaches. On the defensive side, Myles Garrett earned Defensive Player of the Year honors after rewriting the single-season sacks record, a milestone Brady treated as virtually automatic given Garrett's dominant campaign.
Rookie Awards Generate Intrigue
Rookie awards added further intrigue to Brady's ballot. Carolina receiver Tetairoa McMillan captured Offensive Rookie of the Year recognition, while Seattle defensive back Nick Emmanwori edged out favorite Carson Schwesinger for Defensive Rookie of the Year—a selection that raised eyebrows and sparked conversations across the league about emerging defensive talent.
Brady's Most Unconventional Move: Four Coaches of the Year
Brady's most unconventional decision came with his Coach of the Year selection, where he bypassed the traditional single winner in favor of recognizing four coaches. Mike Vrabel led this group after guiding the New England Patriots from a 4-13 record to an impressive 14-3 season, an AFC championship, and a Super Bowl 60 appearance. Brady's praise for Vrabel blended humor with historical context.
"They go from 4-13 to playing in the Super Bowl. Vrabes, you're like my brother. I love you. I'm so proud of you," Brady said in a video posted to X by FOX Sports. "Even though you went to Ohio State... You became a great teammate of mine and a Super Bowl champion. And not to mention a great goal line—and I'm just going to mention the goal line receiver that you were. You didn't do anything outside the 1-yard line. So you're not that good of a receiver, but you're a hell of a coach."
Chicago's Ben Johnson, Seattle's Mike Macdonald, and Jacksonville's Liam Coen joined Vrabel on Brady's expanded Coach of the Year list, with all four coaches serving as finalists alongside Kyle Shanahan. This multifaceted recognition highlighted Brady's appreciation for coaching excellence across multiple franchises and systems.
The Lingering Philosophical Question
The only lingering question surrounding Brady's ballot is philosophical: should a minority owner hold an awards vote at all? While Brady's list didn't provide a definitive answer to this question, it certainly fueled ongoing debate about potential conflicts of interest and the evolving role of media personalities with ownership stakes in evaluating league talent.
Ultimately, Tom Brady's 2025 NFL awards ballot offered more than just a list of names—it provided a window into how one of football's most accomplished minds evaluates excellence, prioritizes performance over popularity, and recognizes the multifaceted contributions that drive team success in today's NFL.
