Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, and Lamar Jackson are the leading candidates for the 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award as highlighted by The Associated Press. Additionally, Barkley, Burrow, and Jackson have been nominated for the Offensive Player of the Year award, while Burrow is also competing for the Comeback Player of the Year honor. The winners for these prestigious accolades will be revealed during the NFL Honors event scheduled for February 6. The voting took place before the start of the playoffs, conducted by a national panel consisting of 49 media members who regularly cover the NFL.
The following are the finalists for the major AP NFL awards listed in alphabetical order:
**Most Valuable Player**
Allen played a pivotal role in leading the Buffalo Bills to their fifth consecutive AFC East title. He amassed 3,731 passing yards, accounted for 28 touchdowns, and maintained a passer rating of 101.4 with just six interceptions. Additionally, Allen contributed with 531 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Barkley achieved an impressive 2,005 rushing yards, ranking as the eighth-best performance in NFL history. He opted to sit out the Eagles’ final regular-season game, missing a chance to surpass Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record by just 101 yards. Barkley was instrumental in the Eagles’ success, helping them secure the NFC East title and advance to the conference championship.
Burrow led the league with a career-high 4,918 passing yards and threw for 43 touchdowns, yet the Cincinnati Bengals finished the season with a 9-8 record and were unable to qualify for the playoffs.
Goff threw for 4,629 yards and 37 touchdowns, while committing only nine interceptions, steering the Lions to the top seed in the NFC. However, the Lions were eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs by the Washington team.
Jackson, the reigning MVP, is vying for his third award after driving the Ravens to win the AFC North. He set career highs with 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdowns, committing only four interceptions and recording a league-leading passer rating of 119.6. He also rushed for 915 yards with four touchdowns, resulting in his earning first-team All-Pro honors for the third time. The Ravens fell to the Buffalo Bills in the divisional playoffs.
**Offensive Player of the Year**
Barkley, Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Derrick Henry, and Jackson are in contention for this title. Chase led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17), earning a unanimous All-Pro selection.
Henry, the 2020 recipient of the Offensive Player of the Year award, notched 1,921 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in his inaugural season with the Ravens.
**Defensive Player of the Year**
Among the nominees is Zack Baun, the Eagles linebacker, who transitioned from a special teams role with the Saints to earn All-Pro honors in his first year with Philadelphia. Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, recorded 14 sacks for the Cleveland Browns.
Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals led the league with 17.5 sacks, while Patrick Surtain II, a cornerback for the Broncos, allowed only 37 receptions against him, claimed four interceptions, and limited opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 61.1. T.J. Watt of the Steelers, who won this award in 2021, finished with 11.5 sacks and forced six fumbles.
**Offensive Rookie of the Year**
Brock Bowers from the Raiders set a rookie record with 112 receptions and led all first-year tight ends with 1,194 receiving yards. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels contributed to an impressive turnaround, throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also rushed for 891 yards and had six touchdowns, putting his team one win away from the Super Bowl.
Giants receiver Malik Nabers showcased his skills with 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix assisted his team in reaching the playoffs for the first time in almost a decade with 3,775 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, as well as 430 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. made a mark with 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and ten touchdowns.
**Defensive Rookie of the Year**
Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean excelled, limiting opponents to 50 receptions, along with five pass breakups, leading to an 82.2 passer rating against him. Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske posted 8.5 sacks, recording 51 pressures alongside two forced fumbles and recoveries.
Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell allowed 40 receptions and had nine pass breakups with an opponent passer rating of 87 against him. Dolphins edge rusher Chop Robinson accumulated six sacks and 20 pressures. Rams edge rusher Jared Verse registered 4.5 sacks, leading all rookies with 18 quarterback hits and 77 pressures but also recorded 11 tackles for loss.
**Coach of the Year**
Finalists for this honor include Dan Campbell (Detroit), Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota), Sean Payton (Denver), Dan Quinn (Washington), and Andy Reid (Kansas City). Campbell led the Lions to an impressive 15-3 record and the NFC’s top seed.
O’Connell directed the Vikings to the playoffs after the team’s quarterback Kirk Cousins departed in free agency, coupled with losing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy to a season-ending knee injury before the season began. Payton successfully guided the Broncos to a 10-8 record, ending a nine-year absence from the playoffs.
Quinn took command of a struggling 4-13 team and transformed the Commanders into a playoff contender with a 12-win season. Reid directed the Chiefs to a remarkable 16-2 record, reclaiming the No. 1 seed in the AFC as they chase a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
**Assistant Coach of the Year**
Nominations include 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.
**Comeback Player of the Year**
Burrow, along with Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and Bills safety Damar Hamlin are all in contention for this accolade.
