NFL Awards
As one would assume, tensions run high in a situation like this considering the fact that the top two MVP candidates were also facing off that following Sunday. This year there were 12 awards handed out at the ceremony while six of them were season awards for players, two being season awards for coaches and the other four being a little bit different.
As the 2022-23 NFL season has come to an end, it is important to acknowledge and honor the season award winners. The ceremony took place on Feb. 9, 2023, in Phoenix Arizona just three days prior to the Super Bowl. As one would assume, tensions run high in a situation like this considering the fact that the top two MVP candidates were also facing off that following Sunday. This year there were 12 awards handed out at the ceremony while six of them were season awards for players, two being season awards for coaches and the other four being a little bit different.
For the coach’s awards, Brian Daboll won coach of the year after turning a 4-13 Giants team into a 9-7-1 team and a playoff win. For the assistant coach of the year, San Francisco’s DeMeco Ryan brought it home. After having the best defense in the league this year, it was only suitable that this award was presented to him.
The next four awards are their own category in a sense. To start, the Walter Payton Man of the Year award was given to Dak Prescott. He was honored for his contributions to cancer research and patient welfare. His “Faith. Fight. Finish.” Foundation is also an advocate for mental health.
For the FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Year, Joe Burrow and Josh Jacobs brought this one home. Burrow has now led the Bengals to the AFC championship game for the second year in a row and has been absolutely dynamite for them. For Jacobs, he rushed for a whopping 1653 yards, the most in the league, and 12 touchdowns to add onto that.
The Bud Light Celebration of the Year is given to the best celebration in a season by a team and this year it was given to the Cincinnati Bengals after they performed a “rollercoaster” following a touchdown.
The winner for the Moment of the Year award was none other than Justin Jeffersons’ one-handed snag on 4th and 18 against the Bills. The catch kept them alive in a hard-fought game. This could potentially go down as one of the greatest catches of all time with how ridiculous it was. Not to mention, this was his second time being honored on the night.
Now we get into the season award winners and a little bit about what they did to deserve the hardware. For the offensive and defensive rookies of the year, the New York Jets were able to win both awards. For offensive rookie of the year, Garrett Wilson came out on top with 83 catches for 1,103 yards and four touchdowns. On the flip side, defensive back Sauce Gardner managed to help the Jets pull off the rookie of the year sweep. He was selected over a few tough candidates, and it just shows that the future can be bright over in New York.
For the Comeback Player of the Year, Geno Smith brought this trophy home. Many thought Smith’s career as a quarterback was over, until he proved everyone wrong this year. After throwing for 4,282 yards in his first full season as a starter, and taking the Seahawks to the playoffs, it was only right that he was crowned for this accomplishment.
The three biggest individual trophies were awarded at the end of the year, the winner of each being very much deserving. For Offensive Player of the Year, guess who, Justin Jefferson. After putting up 1,809 yards and 8 touchdowns, it was no secret that this was all his. One of the most historical years an offensive player could have put together gave him every right to win this award.
Flip it over to the defensive side of the ball and none other than Nick Bosa won this award. After being the anchor to the best defensive team in the league and leading the league in sacks with 18.5, he adds this trophy to his 2019 rookie of the year in his trophy case.
Finally, The Most Valuable Player in the National Football League was awarded to the one and only Patrick Mahomes. After throwing for 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 67% he was the runaway favorite for the biggest award of the year. This is Mahomes’ second MVP and to add to his two Superbowl Rings and two Superbowl MVPs. It is safe to say that he is the most dominant man in football right now.
