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The NFL held its annual awards ceremony on Saturday, hosted by Steve Harvey, in Tampa, Florida, the website of Super Bowl LV. The Kansas City Chiefs will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday (18:30 ET, CBS).
To no one’s surprise, eighthman Aaron Rodgers won his third MVP award. He led the Packers to the NFC title game before dropping the Tom Brady and the Bucs.
Here’s a look at who took all the awards home and why:
MVP
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers: Rodgers has proven to the world that the past few years – an injury-ridden 2017, a change in coaching during the 2018 season and a transition to a new coach in 2019 – have not been the sign of decline. He said during the last week of the season that ‘[It’s] the personal part of it, where I just prove to myself again the level at which I can play, a few years, although I felt I played well, the results do not always match how I feel how I play. “A season with 48 touchdowns and five interceptions proved it. He became the third player in NFL history to enter the league in the tournament, while intercepting the least (with Tom Brady in 2010 and Johnny Unitas in 1958). with a total QBR of 84.4, the third highest point in a single season since the benchmark was first detected by ESPN 15 seasons, and he did so without the benefit of any added weapons last season, when the consensus was that the Packers still needed a top Rodgers is the sixth player to win the award three times and join former Packers full-back Brett Favre, among others. “Not many guys did that,” Rodgers said. said in the season. ‘part of history [would be] pretty special. ‘ – Rob Demovsky
Offensive player of the year
Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans: Henry named one of the NFL’s most dominant seasons by running rugby. The Titans have won eight of the ten games in which Henry has raced for at least 100 yards. The defense focused on stopping Henry every week by stacking the box. Despite that, he became the eighth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards or more. Henry’s 2,027 rushing years were the fifth highest single season in NFL history. The 6-foot-3, 247-pound back, finishes first in running yards, carries (378) and stormy touch (17). Only 13 other players have made the NFL chase in the back-to-back seasons, and 11 of those are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Henry has rushed 200 yards or more and two quick touchdowns in a game three times this season, making him the first player in league history. His fierce stiff arm on Buffalo Bills defensive back Josh Norman has been one of the league’s most memorable moments this past season. – Turron Davenport
Defensive Player of the Year
Aaron Donald, DE, Los Angeles Rams: Donald joins elite company as he becomes the third player in NFL history to earn a Defensive Player of the Year for the third time. Former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor and Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt are the other three-time winners. In his seventh NFL season, Donald continued to demand attention from opponents because of his ability to destroy a game plan on his own. Donald had two games with several pockets, including four against the Washington Football Team. He finished the season second in the NFL with 13.5 pockets and created the first pass print on 98 plays (second position). He also achieved a pass rate of 21% against double teams (first among inmates). Donald was named All-Pro’s first team for the sixth time and was selected to a seventh Pro Bowl. He previously won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in rugby seasons in 2017 and 2018, when he had 11 and 20.5 pockets, respectively. – Lindsey Thiry
Offensive newcomer of the year
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers: To quote Miley Cyrus, Justin Herbert came in like a wreck ball … but in a good way. Without Herbert’s heroism and 4,336 passing steps and 31 touchdowns, the season would have been a disaster. Herbert breathes life into a talented team crushed by the weight of poor coaching decisions, poor clock management and his own history of not being able to close games (since 2006 the Chargers have lost 72 games by one count). Herbert made the Chargers exciting and fun to watch and is everything they and first-year head coach Brandon Staley want for the future. And against the Bucs in October, Herbert threw a 72-yard dash – flatfooted – to Jalen Guyton. Not bad for a rookie who expected to support Tyrod Taylor all season. – Shelley Smith
Defensive rookie of the year
Chase Young, DE, Washington Soccer Team: If you are selected number 2 overall, the expectations are high. Young not only met them, but in some cases surpassed them. Young defended the run, harassed the fullback and became a leader. The first two points were what Washington expected. Young finishes with 7.5 bags and 10 tackles for a loss. He played with talented linemen, but Young was the one who was mostly doubles – and sometimes triples – because lines often protect in his way. He improved as a passion-breaker as the season progressed. In his last five games, Young has scored three sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble repairs, including one for an offense, and six of his 12 quarterback hits. His skill often prevented plays. He also unexpectedly became a team leader by simply being himself. Teammates pull up to him and listen to him because of how he works and plays. Therefore, he was named captain late in the season. – John Keim
Comeback Player of the Year
Alex Smith, QB, Washington Soccer Team: Doubts about Smith’s football future lead to his recovery from a broken fibula and tibia, followed by 17 surgeries due to infections. Doctors almost amputated his right leg. After a documentary about his recovery on ESPN, one Washington team official said, “Which doctor will ever remove him?” Smith later attempted to be placed on an injured reserve for the season and eventually become an appetizer. Smith started six games, but he was effective as Washington passed 5-1 and 2-8 with the others. His stats weren’t great: six passes, eight interceptions. But teammate after teammate praised his impact. “If you look down into the mess and he walks in with his prop, you’re reminded of it. It gives you the perspective of a man who is our leader,” center Chase Roullier said. – John Keim
Coach of the Year
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns: Stefanski faced unprecedented challenges for a first-time head coach, including a virtual off-season, the installation of a new offense over Zoom and a shortened training camp. Despite these obstacles, Stefanski led the Browns to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. However, his calming influence felt most in the game he did not even coach. Stefanski had to stay home for Cleveland’s playoff trip to Pittsburgh after contracting COVID-19. But without him, several assistants and key players who also had to stay home with the virus, the Browns jumped over the Steelers en route to Cleveland’s first playoff game in 26 years. Since returning to the league in 1999, the Browns have been coached by 11 head coaches. In Stefanski it seems that they finally have a custodian. – Jake Trotter