The NFL’s 2025 gold shields—added to jerseys of the previous year’s award winners—now include Matthew Stafford and Myles Garrett on the Los Angeles Rams after Garrett’s trade. The five gold-shield recipients for this cycle were named, and the small shields hav
For the first week of this NFL season’s jersey details, the gold wasn’t shouted. It was tucked in.
In 2025, the league began outfitting the jerseys of the prior year’s award winners with gold shields. This year, a pair of Rams will be wearing them—Matthew Stafford and Myles Garrett—because Garrett is now on the L.A. roster after being traded.
The gold shields go to five categories: the reigning NFL MVP, offensive player of the year, defensive player of the year, offensive rookie of the year, and defensive rookie of the year. Each award winner from that set is being recognized with the gold shield on their jersey.
For the cycle being acknowledged with gold shields this season. the recipients are Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford as the NFL MVP. Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njiba as offensive player of the year. then-Browns defensive end Myles Garrett as defensive player of the year. Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan as offensive rookie of the year. and Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger as defensive rookie of the year.
Garrett’s trade to the Rams is what reshapes the visual on game day. With Myles Garrett in L.A., both Stafford and Garrett wear gold shields together. The contrast is stark when you look at what would have been possible if Garrett hadn’t been traded: the 5-12 Browns would have had two defensive players wearing gold shields.
The attention landed during a slow Sunday because the Seahawks posted an image of Smith-Njigba in his new jersey. The shield is hard to notice at first glance because it’s small. but once people spotted it. the questions came quickly—especially whether it contained a mistake. There isn’t one. Smith-Njigba’s gold shield doesn’t have a typo.
NFL Rams Matthew Stafford Myles Garrett gold shields Jaxon Smith-Njiba Tetairoa McMillan Carson Schwesinger awards jersey
So the gold shield is like a patch for last year’s winners right? Kinda cool but also why is it tiny lol.
Wait I thought they traded Garrett already but this says Stafford and Garrett together on the Rams?? I’m confused like did he go to the Rams or not. Also why are the Seahawks in the “offensive player of the year” thing if it’s not even their season.
The article says there isn’t a typo but honestly I’ve seen NFL stuff messed up before. Like how do we know it’s correct if the shield is barely visible. I would’ve expected more of a “shouting it out” moment instead of hiding it in the jersey.
5-12 Browns would’ve had two defensive guys with gold shields… that part feels random. Like does the record matter for the jersey design or something. Also Carson Schwesinger?? I’m not sure I’ve heard that name so I’m guessing the gold shield is just for whoever won and not based on anything real.