The 14th edition of the NFL Honors was held in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Saenger Theater on February 6th, 2025. Several awards were given out including MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year. We also found out who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer after the members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 were announced.
📰 Table Of Contents
- 1 AP Most Valuable Player – Josh Allen, QB. Buffalo Bills
- 2 AP Coach of the Year – Kevin O’Connell. Minnesota Vikings
- 3 AP Comeback Player of the Year – Joe Burrow, QB. Cincinnati Bengals
- 4 AP Offensive Player of the Year – Saquon Barkley, RB. Philadelphia Eagles
- 5 AP Defensive Player of the Year – Patrick Surtain II, CB. Denver Broncos
- 6 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year – Jayden Daniels, QB. Washington Commanders
- 7 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year – Jared Verse, OLB. Los Angeles Rams
- 8 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year – Arik Armstead, DE. Jacksonville Jaguars
- 9 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025
AP Most Valuable Player – Josh Allen, QB. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen became just the third player in Bills history to win MVP and the first since running back Thurman Thomas did it in 1991. Allen had a remarkable campaign, scoring 41 total touchdowns, the fourth-most in the NFL. Allen also set a career-high in terms of QBR with a score of 77.3, which also happened to be the highest QBR in the league this season.
AP Coach of the Year – Kevin O’Connell. Minnesota Vikings
O’Connell led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record, the second-best regular season in franchise history. He also helped revitalize quarterback Sam Darnold’s career, as the former USC quarterback set new career highs in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passer rating. In three years as the leader of the Vikings, O’Connell has already accumulated 34 wins in 51 games.
AP Comeback Player of the Year – Joe Burrow, QB. Cincinnati Bengals
After tearing scapholunate ligaments in his right wrist in November of 2023, Joe Burrow bounced back from that injury by leading the NFL in passing yards (4,918) and passing touchdowns (43). This marks the second time that Burrow has won this award with the first instance coming in 2021.
AP Offensive Player of the Year – Saquon Barkley, RB. Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley earned this honor by becoming the ninth player ever to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season. He also led the NFL in scrimmage yards with 2,283. Barkley was the best offensive player in the NFL this season, and now he has the hardware to prove it.
AP Defensive Player of the Year – Patrick Surtain II, CB. Denver Broncos
After being named a Pro Bowler and a First-Team All-Pro, Surtain II finished off his special 2024-25 season by being named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Of the 223 cornerbacks that received grades from Pro Football Focus, Surtain II was graded as the second-best overall cornerback in the league.
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year – Jayden Daniels, QB. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels’ spectacular rookie season was capped off with the Asscoated Press’ Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Daniels finished the season with the most rushing yards ever by a rookie quarterback (891) and the highest completion percentage by a rookie quarterback (69%). Daniels helped lead the Commanders to a 12-5 record and became just the sixth rookie QB ever to reach a conference championship game.
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year – Jared Verse, OLB. Los Angeles Rams
Verse was excellent during the regular season with 4.5 sacks, 12 stuffs, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He was even better in the playoffs. The 19th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft had two sacks in the postseason. He also scored a touchdown after scooping up a Sam Darnold fumble in the Wild Card Round and returning it 57 yards for a score.
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year – Arik Armstead, DE. Jacksonville Jaguars
Often referred to as the NFL’s “most prestigious honor,” the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is given to a player who demonstrates a commitment to philanthropic causes and community impact. Armstead and his wife founded The Arik Armstead Academic Project in 2019, which has raised over $2 million in educational funding for over 500,000 kids across the United States.
If you are interested in donating to The Arik Armstead Academic Project, click here.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025
- Jared Allen, DE. 2004-2015
- 136 career sacks (12th all-time)
- Five-time Pro Bowler
- Four-time First-Team All-Pro
- Sterling Sharpe, WR. 1988-1994
- Three-time NFL receptions leader
- Two-time NFL touchdowns leader
- Five-time Pro Bowler
- Three-time First-Team All-Pro
- Eric Allen, CB. 1988-2001
- 54 career interceptions (tied for 21st all-time)
- Six-time Pro Bowler
- Three-time First-Team All-Pro
- Antonio Gates, TE. 2003-2018
- 116 receiving touchdowns (most ever by a tight end, seventh all-time)
- Eight-time Pro Bowler
- Three-time First-Team All-Pro
- Two-time Second-Team All-Pro
