Piece by Christopher Humphers
NFL MVP: Aaron Rodgers QB Green Bay Packers
This was a close race for most of the year, but Rodgers ran away with the award towards the end of the season. Rodgers had one of the best seasons of his hall of fame career at age 37. I think Rodgers is the clear front-runner for the award.
Honorable Mention: Patrick Mahomes QB Kansas City Chiefs, Josh Allen QB Buffalo Bills
Offensive Player of the Year: Derrick Henry RB Tennessee Titans
I debated for a while on this one between Henry and Davante Adams, but what made me settle on Henry was simple “2,000 Rushing Yards”. Henry accomplished something only seven other players in NFL history have attained, that is no easy feat by any means. Let’s be honest the MVP award is primarily a quarterback’s award at this point, Henry deserves this.
Honorable Mention: Davante Adams WR Green Bay Packers, Alvin Kamara RB New Orleans Saints, Stefon Diggs WR Buffalo Bills
Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Watt DL/OLB Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Watt really should’ve won this award last year. Watt led the NFL with 15 sacks and spearheaded one of the best defenses in the NFL this season. It’s time for T.J. to join his brother J.J. in the DPOTY fraternity.
Honorable Mention: Aaron Donald DL Los Angeles Rams, Xavien Howard CB Miami Dolphins
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Justin Herbert QB Los Angeles Chargers
It looks like someone named Justin is going to win this award. This was another close one for me, but in the end I had to go with Herbert the new record holder for passing touchdowns in a season by a rookie. I admittingly wasn’t huge on Herbert coming into last years draft, but I’m glad to say I was wrong about him thus far in his career. The Chargers appear to have a bright future ahead of them with Herbert under center.
Honorable Mention: Justin Jefferson WR Minnesota Vikings, Jonathon Taylor RB Indianapolis Colts
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chase Young DL Washington Football Team
This was a no brainer. Chase Young looks like everything he was advertised to be and more. The scary thing is he’s only going to get better from here, and I expect him to be a perennial pro bowler for years to come.
Honorable Mention: Antoine Winfield Jr. DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Comeback Player of the Year: Alex Smith QB Washington Football Team
Alex Smith won this award as soon as he was cleared to play football again. A few years ago, it was unknown if he’d ever be able to walk again let alone play football. After many numerous surgeries not only did he get cleared to play again, but he also even started a few games! This was the easiest award for me to pick and I’m sure the voters feel the same way.
Honorable Mention: Ben Roethlisberger QB Pittsburgh Steelers
Coach of the Year: Kevin Stefanski Head Coach Cleveland Browns
There was multiple different coaches worthy of this award, but the long-suffering Cleveland Browns franchise made it back to the playoffs this year for the first time since 2002. The Browns have gone through so many changes at Head Coach since they became reestablished in 1999, but it looks like they finally made the right choice in Stefanski.
Honorable Mention: Sean McDermott Buffalo Bills, Ron Rivera Washington Football Team, Andy Reid Kansas City Chiefs, Brian Flores Miami Dolphins
Comments