1. Most Valuable Player– Aaron Rodgers: This is easy. 2020 was the best I’ve ever seen the quarterback look. That’s saying something considering he’s won league MVP’s back in 2011 and 2014. He finished this season with 48 touchdown passes, five interceptions, a quarterback rating of 84.3 which led the league and he was the leader in many other passing statistical categories. He could win this award every year because when he isn’t on the field, the Packers are a different looking team without him. I remember when this award was a toss-up at one point. Aaron shut that all down with a phenomenal season. He will be awarded his third league MVP tonight.
2. Offensive Rookie Of The Year– Justin Herbert: Justin Jefferson looked to be a lock to win this award. This was truly a two-man race for most of the year. The Los Angeles Chargers elected to start Tyrod Taylor at the beginning of the year. Week two comes around, Tyrod gets his lung punctured and Justin gets his chance to shine. He never looked back. Although the Chargers struggled in 2020, he was the shining point for this team. Despite playing only 15 games, he threw 31 touchdown passes which is now the all-time rookie record for a quarterback. The Chargers have a bright future with Justin at the helm.
3. Defensive Rookie Of The Year– Chase Young: He was as good as advertised. The hype surrounded Chase while at Ohio State and it transferred over nicely to the Washington Football Team. Chase was leaps and bounds better than any other option with 8.5 sacks in his first season. He’s a more well-rounded Jadeveon Clowney. That hype that was buzzing around Clowney as a prospect is what I’ve seen with Chase. I can’t wait to see how he improves in year number two. His impact as a rookie speaks for itself. Washington got it right with this draft pick.
4. Offensive Player Of The Year– Derrick Henry: If I didn’t have a quarterback winning MVP, this would be my pick for the award. He’s the best offensive player that isn’t a quarterback in the league today. This season, he became the eighth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards. Derrick became the first running back to eclipse 2k since Adrian Peterson in 2012 with the Minnesota Vikings. He went on a run to close out the 2019 season and in 2020, he didn’t disappoint either. Derrick was the driving force of the Titans winning their first division title since 2008. He also led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns.
5. Defensive Player Of The Year– T.J. Watt: I can admit that I didn’t know what direction this would go in. Aaron Donald will forever be a contender for this and Myles Garrett had the best year of his career in 2020. Everyone nominated is deserving of this, but I have T.J. taking it this year. He will become the first Steeler since Troy Polamalu in 2010 to win Defensive MVP. T.J. led the league in sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hits. He’s such a disruptive force for this Pittsburgh defense. T.J. gets to the quarterback and forces fumbles routinely. The Steelers pass rush was the best in the league thanks to number 90.
6. Coach Of The Year– Kevin Stefanski: The second of three no-brainers for me. I remember when people questioned this hire. “It’s the Cleveland Browns”, “He will be one and done”. Kevin did what many coaches take several years to do with their franchise. One, he gave the Browns an identity. Cleveland is a team that grounds and pounds the football. Two, he worked with Baker Mayfield and the quarterback ends up having a great season. Three, he changed the culture of this team. The Browns don’t worry about the outside noise anymore. He has them focused. What won him this award in my opinion was getting the Browns to the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season. Well done coach.
7. Comeback Player Of The Year– Alex Smith: I didn’t even have to hesitate on this one. The final no-brainer. The image of his injury is one that will forever be painted in my head. Two years later and 17 surgeries, he did what many didn’t think would happen again and that’s step on a football field. Not only did he deal with all that trauma, but he also played very well for the Washington Football Team that won the NFC East this season. This would’ve been Ben Roethlisberger’s award for the taking if the Steelers’ offense didn’t plummet at the end of the year. Alex has this won without question.
