If I were a betting man, I would have put money on Josh Allen to win MVP—and let me tell you I would have won some big money. So, we will take a deep dive and look at all the rewards given out to players at the NFL Honors, starting from least deserving to most deserving.
First, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Jared Verse Edge for the Los Angeles Rams. Verse had a decent rookie season putting up 4.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles with 36 solo tackles. However, there were 2 people I liked better to win this award. Quinyon Mitchell, DB Philadelphia Eagles, and Cooper DeJean, DB Philadelphia Eagles. These two guys made a defensive pass unit go from 28th best in the league to the 2nd best. I believe one of them should’ve won it, and Quinyon Mitchell has my vote.
Okay, hear me out before you start to shun me, the next one is the Walter Payton as Man of the Year. The only reason I am putting this at 2nd lowest is because it has nothing to do with on-field play or anything like that. Also, one player from every team is nominated, so all you’re doing is rooting for your favorite team’s nicest player. I am not saying that this award is pointless; in reality, it’s the most important one.
Next, is Comeback Player of the Year. This award is given out to the player who had a spectacular season after a year or multiple years of having an injury. This award went to Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow; he very much deserved this award. He threw a career high of 4,918 yards with 43 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions, all after he tore a ligament in his wrist on his throwing hand. However, I believe he should’ve won a different award, but I will talk about that later. Anyway, I believe J.K. Dobbins RB for the Los Angeles Chargers deserves this award. In 2021, he tore every ligament in his knee, missed 6 games of 2022, got back in 2023 ready for the season first game, but then tore his Achilles. This year, Dobbins went out on a new team and balls out, going for 1058 total yards with 9 touchdowns. I personally think he should have won because he hasn’t played more than 10 games since 2020 and became the Chargers’ best running back immediately.
Next, I am going to combine these 2: Coach of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year. This year, Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings won COTY while Ben Johnson Offensive Coordinator for the Detroit Lions won ACOTY. Kevin O’Connell took this Vikings team who drafted QB J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL draft, just for him to play one preseason game and tear his meniscus, putting him out for the rest of the season. The fans had lost all hope since Sam Darnold was going to be the starter. However, balled out having a career year leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record and the 5th seed in the playoffs. I’ll keep it short and sweet with Ben Johnson— he called plays for the #1 seed in the NFC, which landed him a head coaching job with the Chicago Bears.
Next, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels, QB of the Washington Commanders won it. He was crucial to the Commanders this year, carrying one of the worst teams last year to the NFC Championship. However, I believe this award should’ve been given to Brian Thomas, Jr. He joined a club that only three other rookie receivers have been qualified enough to join: Randy Moss in 1998, Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014, and Ja’marr Chase in 2021. A player is admitted to this club upon completing 1200+ receiving yards and 10+ touchdowns. The funniest thing about this is that the last 3 receivers to do this all came from LSU. Yet he still didn’t win this award.
Next the Defensive Player of the Year was awarded to Patrick Surtain, II DB Denver Broncos; he completely deserved this award. He had one of the lowest completion percentages against him and his target rate was insanely low. You know that you are a good cornerback when quarterbacks don’t even try to throw it your way anymore.
This one is very wrong: Offensive Player of the year was awarded to Saquon Barkley, RB Philadelphia Eagles. He deserved this award, rushing for 2000+ yards and being the main focus on a Superbowl winning offense. But Ja’marr Chase had the receiving triple crown, which is leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
The last one award is Most Valuable Player. Josh Allen, QB Buffalo Bills, really deserved this award, and he won it. However, Joe Burrow would have won it if the Bengals made the playoffs – having the best statistical passing season this year and not even making the playoffs is crazy.
The National Football League is a special place where dreams are made, and opportunities come and go, so you had best make the most of them because you don’t know if you will ever get that opportunity again. Don’t let your dreams be dreams.
