The NFL’s brightest stars took center stage at the NFL Honors ceremony in New Orleans on Thursday night, where the league recognized its top performers from the 2024 season. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was the night’s biggest winner, claiming his first Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award in one of the most hotly contested MVP races in recent memory. Allen became the first player in 21 seasons to win MVP without being selected as a first-team All-Pro, joining a rare list of past winners that includes John Elway (1987) and Steve McNair (2003).
Josh Allen Claims First MVP
Allen outpaced Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, receiving 27 of 50 first-place votes, four more than Jackson, who had been widely considered the favorite after earning first-team All-Pro honors. The fact that the same panel votes for both MVP and All-Pro made Allen’s victory even more surprising.
The Bills quarterback led Buffalo to a 13-4 record and the AFC’s No. 2 seed, throwing for 4,875 yards, 39 touchdowns, and adding 11 rushing scores, a dominant season that ultimately won over voters. Jackson, who had been in pursuit of his third MVP award, finished second in voting.
Saquon Barkley Named Offensive Player of the Year
In his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Saquon Barkley delivered a historic campaign, becoming the first Eagles player ever to win Offensive Player of the Year. Barkley rushed for 2,007 yards, finishing just 100 yards shy of Eric Dickerson’s all-time single-season rushing record (2,105 yards in 1984).
The star running back averaged 142.7 rushing yards per game, the fourth-highest mark in the last 15 years, and scored 18 total touchdowns. Barkley received 35 of 50 first-place votes, comfortably beating out Lamar Jackson (12 votes). Derrick Henry (Ravens), Joe Burrow (Bengals), and Josh Allen (Bills) each received one first-place vote.
Patrick Surtain II Wins Defensive Player of the Year
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II became the first cornerback in five years to win Defensive Player of the Year, shutting down elite receivers all season. According to ESPN Research, Surtain allowed only 306 receiving yards and two touchdowns all season, ranking among the league’s best with at least 50 targets.
Surtain edged out Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (11 first-place votes) and Browns edge Myles Garrett (5 first-place votes), securing 26 of the 50 first-place votes. The Broncos star credited his father, former NFL cornerback Patrick Surtain Sr., for guiding his development. Denver head coach Sean Payton, watching from the audience, nodded in approval as Surtain thanked the organization for “believing in me, trusting me, and allowing me to grow.”
Jayden Daniels Shines as Offensive Rookie of the Year
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels capped off one of the most impressive rookie seasons in NFL history by winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. The No. 2 overall pick led Washington to a 12-5 record and its first NFC Championship Game appearance in over three decades an incredible turnaround from the team’s 4-13 record the previous year.
Daniels became the first rookie in league history to pass for more than 3,500 yards while rushing for over 800 yards. Under his leadership, Washington averaged 28.5 points per game, the most ever by a team with a rookie quarterback. Daniels was the overwhelming winner, receiving 49 of 50 first-place votes, with the lone dissenting vote going to Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix finished third in the voting.
Daniels also took home Moment of the Year for his game-winning Hail Mary against the Chicago Bears in November.
Jared Verse Wins Defensive Rookie of the Year
The Los Angeles Rams struck gold with their first first-round pick in eight years, selecting pass rusher Jared Verse, who went on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. The No. 19 overall pick led all rookies with 18 quarterback hits and 50 quarterback pressures, finishing with 4.5 sacks.
Verse dominated the voting with 37 first-place votes, well ahead of Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (9 votes) and Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske.
Joe Burrow Named Comeback Player of the Year
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow took home Comeback Player of the Year, returning from a season-ending wrist injury in 2023 to lead the NFL with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. Burrow, who previously won the award in 2021 after recovering from an ACL tear, joked: “I wouldn’t say this is necessarily an award you want to be nominated for two times.” Other finalists included Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins and Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.
The award was presented by Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss, who sent in a videotaped message while undergoing cancer treatment. The crowd erupted in cheers when a montage of Moss’s legendary career played during the ceremony.
Kevin O’Connell Wins Coach of the Year
In his third season with the Minnesota Vikings, Kevin O’Connell won Coach of the Year after leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record, despite losing first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy to a season-ending knee injury in August.
The Vikings were projected to win just 6.5 games before the season but instead finished as one of the NFC’s top teams, nearly securing the conference’s No. 1 seed. O’Connell became only the second Vikings coach ever to win the award, joining Bud Grant (1969).
Arik Armstead Wins Walter Payton Man of the Year
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead was honored with the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his dedication to childhood education through the Armstead Academic Project. Having struggled with reading as a child, Armstead now works tirelessly to ensure that students of all socioeconomic backgrounds have access to quality educational resources.
During his acceptance speech, Armstead delivered a powerful message:
“We live in a world that is constantly trying to divide us. But I believe in humanity. I believe that we are all more alike than we are different, and I believe that all of us have the power to be the change we want to see in our society.”
Looking Ahead to Super Bowl Sunday
As the NFL’s best celebrated their achievements, all eyes now turn to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Sunday, where the Eagles and the Chiefs will battle for the ultimate prize. But on this night, the stars of the 2024 season got their moment in the spotlight none bigger than Josh Allen, who made history as an MVP without first-team All-Pro recognition, cementing his legacy as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.
