The Associated Press has announced the finalists for eight awards that will be presented during the NFL Honors show on February 6.
The marquee award is the Most Valuable Player award and the consensus has been around for some time that the award will go to either Bills quarterback Josh Allen or Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson’s candidacy was boosted when he was voted a first-team All-Pro, but we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out if voters also placed him ahead of Allen on their MVP ballots.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and Lions quarterback Joe Burrow are the other finalists.
Barkley, Burrow and Jackson are also finalists for the Offensive Player of the Year award. Ravens running back Derrick Henry and Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase round out the contenders for this award.
Burrow is a three-time finalist and is also in the running for Comeback Player of the Year. Joining him in that category are Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Bills safety Damar Hamlin and Chargers running back JK Dobbins.
The other finalists for the award are:
Coach of the Year
Dan Campbell, Lions; Kevin O’Connell, Vikings; Sean Payton, Broncos; Dan Quinn, commanders; and Andy Reid, conductors.
Assistant Coach of the Year
Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady; Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio; Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores; Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn; and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Defensive Player of the Year
Eagles linebacker Zack Baun; Browns defensive end Myles Garrett; Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson; Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II; and Steelers linebacker TJ Watt.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Giants receiver Malik Nabers, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Rams defensive lineman Braden Fiske, Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson and Rams linebacker Jared Verse.