While many were distracted by their anticipation for the Super Bowl showdown between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend, the match-up was preceded by the annual NFL honours ceremony.
While none of those that received the main awards featured in the Championship game, during a season with so much adversity to overcome, their efforts more than deserved to be celebrated.
TIBS News takes a look at the most exceptional performers on the gridiron in the past year, who did not let anything cause them to falter.
MVP: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Despite being defeated in the post-season by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rodgers’ regular season campaign was enough to secure him his 3rd career MVP after claiming the award in 2011 and 2014.
Rodgers started all 16 games for the Packers, passing for 4,299 yards and setting career highs with a staggering 51 total touchdowns (48 of those being passing touchdowns) – enough to claim the first seed in the NFC with a 13-3 record. He also became only the 11th player to surpass 50,000 career passing yards and, as well as winning MVP, was named to the All-Pro first team. It should also be noted that Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes won only two votes to Rodgers’ 44.
Though it may not have ended in a championship, this season will be one to remember for the former California native.
OPOY: Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry, the unstoppable force, had a wonder season with the Tennessee Titans and was many people’s favourite in the MVP race.
Though he settles with the OPOY award, there is no denying his legitimacy as a candidate for the MVP also as he trucked, juked and steamrolled NFL defences on his way to setting 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns – both of which were career highs for Henry.
His 2,027 yards also saw him become only the eighth player since 1973 to record 2,000 yards in a single season – with the most recent player to achieve this feat being Adrian Peterson in 2012, which won him the MVP.
DPOY: Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
Aaron Donald beat out favourites TJ Watt and Xavien Howard to win his third defensive player of the year award – tying JJ Watt and the great Lawrence Taylor for the most.
Though he has dipped in production ever since 2018 when he led the league in sacks (mostly due to teams putting more men between Donald and their quarterback), Donald still posted 13.5 sacks, four fumbles and 14 tackles for a loss of yards. His ability to take on multiple players has allowed his team-mates around him to only improve, and his impact was made clear in his absence versus the Packers in the play-offs – while his short-lived appearance displayed his toughness, as he battled through a serious rib injury.
Despite many believing Howard’s 10 interceptions, or Watt’s 15 sacks were more than enough to claim the award it cannot be said that Donald was undeserving as he fell just short of Watt’s tally despite facing double teams all season long.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert was the second quarterback taken in last year’s draft and started the season as a back-up to Tyrod Taylor. However, when Taylor had a freak accident in week two, Herbert saw his first action. Two games later, after a week four performance which saw Herbert throw for 290 yards and three touchdowns against the Super Bowl bound Buccaneers, Herbert was named permanent starter – and he only improved from there.
Herbert was named offensive rookie of the month in October and November and broke Baker Mayfield’s record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie as well as becoming only the fourth rookie to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. Though the Chargers finished with a losing record, they can at least move forward with the knowledge that they have found their franchise quarterback.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chase Young, DE, Washington Football Team
Chase Young met all expectations that were set for him as the second overall player, and first defensive player, taken in the 2020 draft. The former Ohio State Buckeye totalled 7.5 sacks, four fumbles and 44 tackles, and was named rookie of the month for December. There is no doubt that Young was an integral part in transforming Washington from a 3-13 record last season, into NFC East champions. Young beat out runner-up Jeremy Chinn in a landslide, claiming 42.5 of the 50 votes.
Comeback Player of the Year: Alex Smith
Alex Smith may be the most deserving player to win comeback player of the year since the award was first handed out. In week 10 of the 2018 season, the Washington quarterback was sacked with a hit that resulted in a spiral and compound fracture to his tibia and fibula of his right leg. Following surgery, his injury developed a life-threatening infection, and sepsis which required Smith to undergo a further 17 surgeries over nine months. At its worst, doctors had suggested an amputation at the knee was necessary.
Despite fears he may never play again; Smith made his first appearance since the horrifying injury in week five against all odds. While a 30-10 loss was not the comeback he would have wished for, Smith was not done. He finished the season on 1,852 yards and six touchdowns through eight games. Although he missed Washington’s sole play-off appearance with a calf injury he is set to comfortably return this time around and light up the league once more.
Coach of the Year: Kevin Stefanski
Kevin Stefanski and Sean McDermott were the two favourites as coach of the year, and it was ultimately the Cleveland Browns coach that came out on top. In his first season with Cleveland – and his first season as a head coach in his career – Stefanski took them to an 11-5 record, achieving their first playoff berth since 2002.
In the post-season, the Browns defeated their rivals and No 3 seed Pittsburgh Steelers in the wildcard and proved themselves a worthy challenger despite bowing out to the Kansas City Chiefs in a 22-17 defeat.
After a decade of rebuilding, which saw them win just one game in two years from 2016-17 and change coaches four times in a span of five seasons, Stefanski has been a breath of fresh air for the ‘Dawg Pound’ – delivering Cleveland their best record since 1999. Though McDermott can be credited with a similar feat at the Buffalo Bills, it was only right that Stefanski be recognised for his efforts.
