The NFL celebrated another year of excellence yesterday at the 14 annual NFL Honors.
Hosted by Snoop Dog, the ceremony included an announcement of The Associated Press’ NFL Awards and revealed the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
The MVP Award was given to quarterback Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. Allen had a remarkable season with 3,731 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and the highest quarterback ranking in the NFL. With barely edging out 2023 MVP winner, Lamar Jackson. Allen received 27 first place votes while Jackson had 23. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills fell short to Kansas City once again in the AFC Championship. While Allen is taking home the MVP trophy, he hopes to bring the Lombardi home next year.
The NFL’s AP Coach of the Year Award was awarded to Minnesota Viking’s head coach, Kevin O’Connell. He led the Vikings to a 14-3 season and the brink of a number one seed in the playoffs. Taking a chance on veteran quarterback Sam Darnold, after rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy went down with a season ending injury before the season had even started. For his efforts, he was awarded a multiyear contract extension and the award for Coach of the Year.
The AP Comeback Player of the Year was presented to Joe Burrow. The Bengals quarterback worked through a wrist injury which ended his 2023 season which made him come back stronger. Projecting the most passing yards in the league with 4,918 yards and the most total touchdowns with 43. Having 9 interceptions and a quarterback ranking of 74.7, the third most in the NFL. Burrow, who earned his second Pro Bowl, invited this past season and brought home his second Comeback Player of the Year award.
The AP Offensive Player of the Year Award was given to Philadelphia Eagles running back, Saquon Barkley. With his first year with the Eagles, Barkley tallied 2,005 rushing yards, becoming the ninth player in NFL history to surpass the 2,000 rushing yard mark in a single season. Barkley also led all running backs in yards, carries, and yards per game. A 2,000 rushing yard season brought him one piece of hardware, now he hopes to bring another piece home this Sunday with a Super Bowl win.
Your AP Defensive Player of the Year was awarded to Patrick Surtain II. Denver Broncos cornerback became the second defensive back to win this award since 2010. Surtain intercepted four passes, deflected 11 passes, forced a fumble, a recovery and a tackle for loss in just 16 starts. Patrick Surtain becomes the second Bronco to win this award since Randy Gradishar in 1978.
To no surprise, the AP Offensive Rookie of the year was awarded to Jayden Daniels. Rookie quarterback out of Washington had arguably the best rookie season of all time. Daniels received 49 out of 50 first place votes. Former 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and second overall draft pick started his career off with an amazing season, helping Washington get to their first NFC Championship since 1992. Rookie, Jayden Daniels finished fourth in quarterback rankings in the NFL. Jayden Daniels turned around Washington’s franchise in just one year.
The AP Defensive Rookie of the Year was presented to Los Angeles Rams Linebacker, Jared Verse. Verse recorded 36 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles all in his rookie season. In the Rams wild card win over the 15-2 Vikings, he recorded a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Verse was a powerful edge rusher for Florida State and was picked over in the draft with Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu going before him. He now has some new hardware to bring home after an incredible rookie season.
The Moment of the Year was Rookie Jayden Daniels hail Mary to Noah Brown to secure their buzzer beater win against the Chicago Bears in Week 7. The pass was a 52-yard throw that was tipped into Noah Browns’ hands to fully launch the Commanders second half of their historic season.
Walter Payton Man of the Year was awarded to Arik Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman. Armstead quickly immersed himself as a Samaritan within the Jacksonville community by maintaining his goal of ensuring all students, no matter their socioeconomic status, the opportunity to succeed. Armstead, with his fifth straight nomination for the award, he had four with the San Francisco 49ers and now his first with Jacksonville.
The 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame roster was also announced last night. It included Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and Sterling Sharpe Senior. They will be officially inducted on July 31 during the Hall of Fame Game in Canton Ohio, which will initially launch the start of the 2025-2026 NFL Preseason.
With the NFL season coming to a close this Sunday during Super Bowl LIX, there are many winners of this season.