The countdown to Super Bowl 59 is ON! But first, the NFL rolled out the red carpet in New Orleans for a night of glitz, glamour, and jaw-dropping moments at the annual NFL Honors. The biggest names in football gathered to celebrate the season’s best, from MVP to Rookie of the Year—AND we got plenty of surprises along the way!
NFL MVP: Josh Allen finally gets his crown!
Buffalo’s King has arrived! Josh Allen, the electric quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, has finally claimed his long-awaited MVP trophy! After years of coming close, Allen edged out Lamar Jackson in one of the tightest races in recent history—securing 27 first-place votes to Jackson’s 23.
Allen now joins Bills legends O.J. Simpson (1973) and Thurman Thomas (1991) as the only players in franchise history to win MVP. Is this the start of a Buffalo dynasty? Time will tell!
Walter Payton man of the year: Arik Armstead gives back in a big way
It’s about more than football for Arik Armstead, who took home the league’s most prestigious off-the-field honor. The Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end was recognized for his life-changing work with the Armstead Academic Project, a program he founded to help young students chase their dreams.
Armstead joins Jaguars legend Calais Campbell (2019) in winning the award, proving that Jacksonville is building something special—on and off the field!
Coach of the year: Kevin O’connell works his magic in Minnesota!
With a backup QB and a whole lot of doubters, Kevin O’Connell led the Minnesota Vikings to an unbelievable 14-win season—and now he has the Coach of the Year award to show for it!
O’Connell out-coached some of the biggest names in the game, beating out Dan Campbell, Andy Reid, Sean Payton, and Dan Quinn for the award. With a rising squad and a system that WORKS, Vikings fans are wondering: Can he bring home the Lombardi next?
Pro football hall of fame class of 2025: Snubs and shockers!
The latest group of gridiron greats is in! The 2025 Hall of Fame class features:
- Eric Allen
- Jared Allen
- Antonio Gates
- Sterling Sharpe
BUT THE BIGGEST SNUB? Eli Manning! Despite two Super Bowl MVPs, the New York Giants legend will have to wait another year. Other surprising omissions? Terrell Suggs, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, and coaching mastermind Mike Holmgren.
Defensive rookie of the year: Jared Verse wrecks havoc!
This kid’s a MONSTER. Jared Verse, the Los Angeles Rams’ wrecking ball, snatched up the Defensive Rookie of the Year award after an explosive debut season.
The No. 19 overall pick terrorized quarterbacks all year, piling up 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a rookie-leading 77 pressures. His biggest moment? A 57-yard scoop-and-score in the playoffs! The Rams have found their next defensive superstar.
Comeback player of the year: Joe urrow’s redemption arc!
The Bengals’ franchise QB is BACK! Joe Burrow, fresh off a devastating wrist injury, returned with a vengeance—leading the league in passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43). That’s how you silence the doubters.
Burrow now joins Chad Pennington as the only two-time winners of the award. Could a second Super Bowl run be next?
Offensive player of the year: Saquon Barkley goes beast mode!
You wanna talk historic seasons? Saquon Barkley just RAN THROUGH THE LEAGUE, racking up a jaw-dropping 2,005 rushing yards! That’s just shy of Eric Dickerson’s all-time record.
With 35 first-place votes, Barkley beat out Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen to take home Offensive Player of the Year. Next up? Super Bowl 59!
Defensive player of the year: Pat Surtain ii shuts it down!
Another year, another lockdown performance from Pat Surtain II. The Denver Broncos’ shutdown corner has officially entered elite status, taking home the Defensive Player of the Year award!
He’s just the third cornerback to win the award since 1995, following Charles Woodson (2009) and Stephon Gilmore (2019). If you throw his way, good luck.
Offensive rookie of the year: Jayden Daniels takes command!
NO. SURPRISE. HERE. Jayden Daniels is your Offensive Rookie of the Year!
The Washington Commanders’ new QB transformed a 4-13 team into a 12-5 powerhouse and took them all the way to the NFC title game!
He set NFL rookie records for completion percentage (69%) and rushing yards by a QB (891). PLUS—he became just the fourth rookie QB to win multiple playoff games. Commanders fans, you got your guy!
Final thoughts
From MVP battles to Hall of Fame debates, the 2025 NFL Honors had EVERYTHING. Josh Allen finally got his MVP, Saquon Barkley made history, and Jayden Daniels proved he’s a franchise quarterback.
BUT NOW—the stage is set for Super Bowl 59! Can Barkley cap off his historic season with a championship? Will Allen carry his MVP magic into the big game? Stay tuned… because the best is yet to come!
