The Associated Press released the finalists for NFL awards for the 2024 season on Thursday.
The AP’s voting system determined the finalists, and it really did not disappoint. The system was revamped in 2022 and asks voters to rank their top five picks for MVP and top three for the other seven prestigious awards.
Here are my thoughts about each group of finalists.
AP Most Valuable Player
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills QB
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles RB
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals QB
- Jared Goff, Detroit Lions QB
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens QB
I think this is a great group of players, minus Joe Burrow. I love the guy and I think he is a sensational player, but he’s the only quarterback on this list that didn’t make the playoffs. I would be inclined to add Mahomes to this list – again – but at least he took his team to the AFC Championship just about every year he’s been in Kansas City. I like Barkley’s story with the Eagles this season, which makes me feel like giving the MVP to him, a non-QB after the year he had, would be a phenomenal story.
AP Defensive Player of the Year
- Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles LB
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns DE
- Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals DE
- Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos CB
- T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers LB
I like just about all the guys on this list. You could make a strong case for each of them, but I’m really fond of T.J. Watt getting it. He’s been an incredible key for the Steelers short-lived success this season. If it weren’t him, I would say someone who quickly became a threat to opposing offenses is Eagles’ Zack Baun. Baun and Watt have been two show-stopping players this year (because Garrett is always eating) and the award will come down to one of them.
AP Offensive Player of the Year
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles RB
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals QB
- Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals WR
- Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens RB
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens QB
This is an awesome group of nominees. I think each of them possessed incredible skill this year. Truthfully for me, I think it’s going to also be influenced by the player’s individual story – much like with MVP. Maybe for me, what I love next to Barkley’s story is Jackson’s as well. He and the Ravens possessed determination and resiliency all season long, fighting to the literal end. I think Lamar has built a great case the past few years to make him OPOY.
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders TE
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders QB
- Malik Nabers, New York Giants WR
- Bo Nix, Denver Broncos QB
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars WR
Come on, guys. After Daniels solidified the Commanders’ first NFC Championship in forever as a rookie, there’s no beating this. I love this quarterback and I think he’s going to be a disruption in the NFC East for years to come. He deserves great respect for putting this team in so many positions to succeed.
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles CB
- Braden Fiske, Los Angeles Rams DE
- Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles CB
- Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins LB
- Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams LB
This was also an incredible rookie class of defensive guys. I think every guy is deserving of this award truthfully, but since I have to pick one, you know I’m gonna go with the one of two standout guys here. DeJean has been an incredibly fun player to watch this season.
AP Comeback Player of the Year
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals QB
- Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings QB
- J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers RB
- Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots CB
- Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills S
Can we be real with ourselves and admit that Damar is only on this list as a filler because you could argue for the next five years that practically dying on the field means anything in comparison is a comeback? I love the guy, but his “comeback” window is closed. I’m really not sure who else would be best suited for this award, but my money would go on Vikings QB Sam Darnold just because they flew under the radar this season as one of the top NFC teams.
AP Coach of the Year
- Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions HC
- Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings HC
- Sean Payton, Denver Broncos HC
- Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders HC
- Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs HC
After this past year with the Lions, I truly think Dan Campbell deserves this award. He’s taken this team from zero to hero and dealt with losing his coordinators while trying to keep their first Super Bowl hopes alive. I want to see him get a ring next season with this team, and think he has the capability to do so. I truly don’t hate this group of nominations for Coach of the Year.
AP Assistant Coach of the Year
- Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills OC
- Vic Fangio, Philadelphia Eagles DC
- Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings DC
- Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions DC
- Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions OC
Let’s just wrap this up and give the award to Vic Fangio. There’s no way Fangio with the #1 defense in the NFL does not get Assistant Coach of the year. Fangio turned around the Eagles defense in one season and made them the team they’ve always been at their core. To have as much talent as you do on the Eagles, it’s hard to make them look bad and somehow past coaches have done that, but not Fangio. I would not give the award to either of the former Lions coordinators because they left the team during the playoffs to go to another team.
NFL Honors, hosted by Snoop Dogg, will also feature the announcement of the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, NFL Honors Red Carpet Show presented by Invisalign airs at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network leading up to NFL Honors. Local blackout restrictions may apply.
First & Jenn 
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