NFL Honors: Christian McCaffrey Makes History
The NFL landscape is buzzing as Christian McCaffrey makes history by being the first athlete ever to be nominated as a finalist for three major Associated Press awards in a single season. Touted for the prestigious MVP award, McCaffrey is in elite company alongside notable players such as Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye, and Matthew Stafford. Additionally, in a testament to his multifaceted talent, McCaffrey is also vying for the Offensive Player of the Year title with Maye, and they both share the spotlight with Lawrence for the Comeback Player of the Year.
The winners for these accolades will be unveiled during the “NFL Honors” event on February 5. This selection process involved a dedicated panel of 50 journalists who regularly cover the NFL, with voting concluding prior to the playoffs. The votes were meticulously counted by the auditing firm Lutz and Carr, utilizing a point-based system where the top five players across eight categories were granted varying points based on their rankings.
Finalist Breakdown
Most Valuable Player
- Josh Allen: The reigning MVP accumulated 3,668 passing yards, threw for 25 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, and achieved a passer rating of 102.2, leading the Buffalo Bills to their seventh consecutive playoff appearance before their defeat by the Denver Broncos.
- Trevor Lawrence: Under Lawrence’s leadership, the Jacksonville Jaguars finished the season with a commendable 13-4 record, clinching the AFC South title and recording 4,007 passing yards with 29 touchdowns.
- Christian McCaffrey: Known for his versatile play, McCaffrey has proven invaluable to the San Francisco 49ers, with 1,202 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, as well as 102 receptions for 924 yards and seven touchdowns, contributing to the team’s successful 12-win campaign despite significant injuries.
- Drake Maye: The New England Patriots’ quarterback achieved 4,394 passing yards and led the league with an impressive passer rating of 113.5 while guiding the franchise to an AFC East title.
- Matthew Stafford: Having recorded a striking 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, Stafford’s performance solidified his place as a first-team All-Pro for the first time in his distinguished 17-year career.
Coach of the Year
- Liam Coen: His competence as head coach propelled the Jaguars to a remarkable nine-win improvement.
- Ben Johnson: Successfully guided the Chicago Bears to their first NFC North championship since 2017.
- Mike Macdonald: Led the Seahawks to a stellar 14-3 record, securing the top seed in the NFC.
- Kyle Shanahan: Managed to secure 12 wins with the 49ers despite facing numerous injuries to key players.
- Mike Vrabel: Turned the Patriots around with a notable 10-win improvement in his first season with the team.
Other Categories
The list of finalists extends to include potential winners for the Assistant Coach of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, which features McCaffrey and others like Stefon Diggs and Aidan Hutchinson, and various Rookie of the Year awards highlighting standout players across the league.
As anticipation builds for the NFL Honors, fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting the results that recognize the cream of the crop in this competitive season.
