The end of the National Football League (NFL) season is coming upon on us with the Superbowl just days away. The new activities of the pro bowl have recently come to a close and tonight was the NFL Honors award ceremony. Now unlike pro-bowl voting this is not just a popularity contest that is voted upon by the fans. The awards are determined by a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. Now keep in mind this voting was completed before the playoffs commenced making these awards based on the regular season alone. The awards given out consist of: Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and Walter Payton Man of the Year. Now with that out of the way lets get to the winners.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: C.J. Stroud
The rookie quarterback for the Houston Texans had a stellar rookie campaign. Beating out what I imagine was a tight race with Puka Nacua who arguably just had the greatest rookie season for a receiver of all time. To beat this Stroud was nothing short of a phenomenal all year, leading the Texans to a playoff birth following a horrific 2022 season where they went 3-13-1 flipping this team in a full U-turn. His 4,108 passing yards stands as the third-best total in history for any rookie quarterback leaving him well deserving of this award.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Will Anderson Jr.
The Houston Texans swept all the rookie awards this year with this rookie defensive end winning the defensive rookie award for his stellar performance as well. In another tight race between Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter and Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner. The Alabama alumni produced seven sacks throughout the season helping Stroud and the Texans catapult themselves in this remarkable turn around season.
Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett
In a battle of many strong defensive players throughout the league the defensive end from the Cleveland Browns took home the award. Finishing the season with 14 sacks while facing arguably the most double teams in the entire NFL and leading the Browns defense to a league low of just 270.2 yards per game. This was Garrett’s first time winning defensive player of the year and many more could be coming in the future.
Coach of the Year: Kevin Stefanski
The Cleveland Browns head coach took home this award barely beating out Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. Stefanski faced many issues throughout the year with two star players in Nick Chubb and Deshaun Watson getting Injured early in the season and despite this leading the Browns to a playoff birth. This is his second time winning the coach of the year award.
Offensive Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey
The San Francisco 49ers running back was an absolute monster this year. Many people viewed him as not just offensive player of the year but league MVP. In his stellar 2023 campaign he manage to rack up league-best totals for rushing yards coming in at a whopping 1,459 and yards from scrimmage with 2,023. He also was tied as the leader for most total touchdowns on the season with 21. Now he waits for Super Bowl 58 and the opportunity to bring home a trophy along with this award.
Comeback Player of the Year: Joe Flacco
The Cleveland Browns quarterback won this award at the age of 39, through a spectacular five game stretch that launched the Browns into the playoffs. Stacking up 1,616 passing yards and 13 touchdowns in just these five games.
Most Valuable Player: Lamar Jackson
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback had an outstanding campaign that led the Ravens to a league best 13-4 record. Jackson previously won the award in a unanimous decision in 2019 becoming just the second player in NFL history to win unanimously and was only 1 vote away from going unanimous again.
Walter Payton Man of the Year: Cameron Heyward
Known widely around the league as the most important award of the year the veteran Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle took home the man of the year trophy. This award is given to honor a player’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact, as well as his excellence on the field. Heyward’s charitable deeds have included The Heyward House Foundation and Craig’s Closet, and he has also been involved with Cafe Momentum Pittsburgh and UPMC Children’s Hospital. He is well deserving of this reward and is an amazing leader throughout the NFL community showing what being involved is truly all about.
