2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominees

2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Nominees Announced

The NFL has unveiled the 32 club winners for the prestigious 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide. This prestigious honors players who demonstrate excellence both on and off the field, continuing the legacy of the late Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton.

Who Are the Nominees?

Each NFL team nominated one player who exemplifies leadership and community impact. Notable nominees include Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens), Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs), Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and Bobby Wagner (Washington Commanders). The complete list of club winners includes:

• Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Beachum
• Atlanta Falcons: A.J. Terrell Jr.
• Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry
• Buffalo Bills: Dion Dawkins
• Carolina Panthers: Austin Corbett
• Chicago Bears: DJ Moore
• Cincinnati Bengals: Ted Karras
• Cleveland Browns: Grant Delpit
• Dallas Cowboys: Solomon Thomas
• Denver Broncos: Garett Bolles
• Detroit Lions: DJ Reader
• Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love
• Houston Texans: Azeez Al-Shaair
• Indianapolis Colts: Kenny Moore II
• Jacksonville Jaguars: Logan Cooke
• Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce
• Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby
• Los Angeles Chargers: Cameron Dicker
• Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams
• Miami Dolphins: Bradley Chubb
• Minnesota Vikings: C.J. Ham
• New England Patriots: Hunter Henry
• New Orleans Saints: Demario Davis
• New York Giants: Bobby Okereke
• New York Jets: Quincy Williams
• Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Mailata
• Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Highsmith
• San Francisco 49ers: Curtis Robinson
• Seattle Seahawks: Julian Love
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield
• Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons
• Washington Commanders: Bobby Wagner

Community Impact and Philanthropy

Beyond their on-field performances, these nominees drive meaningful change in their communities. Each player supports diverse causes, including youth empowerment, education initiatives, and health programs. Their nonprofit partners will collectively receive up to $40,000 from the NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation.

The national winner’s chosen charity will receive an additional $250,000 donation. Fans can support their favorites through the Charity Challenge by voting on X/Twitter with #WPMOYChallenge or at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. Voting runs from December 4, 2025, to January 5, 2026.

How the Winner Will Be Selected

The national winner will be announced during NFL Honors on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. This prime-time event will celebrate the league’s top humanitarian contributions.

"These 32 men represent the best of the NFL, and their incredible contributions keep Walter's legacy alive," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Special Recognition This Season

Starting Week 14, all nominees will wear a special Man of the Year helmet decal. Select stadiums will also display goal post wraps featuring the trophy silhouette. New this year, Homage has created a "Gladiator" product inspired by the award, which each nominee receives. Fans can enter to win a Gladiator t-shirt at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear or purchase one at Homage.com.

Additionally, fans can purchase jerseys of last year’s winner, Arik Armstead, featuring a special Walter Payton Man of the Year Gladiator patch. Proceeds from these sales support player-chosen nonprofits.

The Walter Payton Legacy

Established in 1970 and renamed in 1999, the award has honored 58 players, including recent recipients like Cam Heyward, Dak Prescott, and Russell Wilson. This year’s nominees continue Payton’s legacy of compassion and excellence, both on and off the gridiron.