NFL Analysis

2/3/25

9 min read

2025 NFL Award Predictions: Who Will Win League's Most Coveted Honors?

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) takes to the field prior to the Ravens' game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) takes to the field prior to the Ravens' game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

All eyes are down in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, but there are still accolades to give out on Saturday to the league's most outstanding players.

The NFL Honors will take place on Thursday, Feb. 6, with the league's awards for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and others being given out during the event. Some of the league's biggest stars are up for awards, including the likes of Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Saquon Barkley.

Before the awards are handed out, let's make our best predictions as to who will be winning each of the league's biggest honors.

2025 NFL Award Predictions

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws the ball during warm ups before the game against the Buffalo Bills in a 2025 AFC divisional round.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws the ball during warm ups before the game against the Buffalo Bills in a 2025 AFC divisional round. Mark Konezny-Imagn Images.

Most Valuable Player

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens logo

After two MVP seasons already under his belt, Lamar Jackson somehow took his game to a whole new level in 2024. Jackson continued to be a dangerous rushing threat, running for 915 yards and four touchdowns. However, it's his evolution and efficiency as a passer that made him so dangerous this season.

He set career-best marks almost everywhere, throwing for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just four interceptions while posting a career-high 119.6 passer rating, one of the best ratings in NFL history.

Josh Allen also had arguably the best year of his career, but Jackson's ruthless efficiency and electric play style, which continues to evolve, will likely land him his third MVP, especially considering the award is based solely on regular-season performance.


Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) breaks up pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) breaks up pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Defensive player of the year

Zack Baun, LB, Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles logo

It's a tightly-contested race for DPOY, but Philadelphia's Zack Baun has the numbers, story, and team success that could help him beat out the competition for the award.

Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio unlocked Baun's full potential in 2024. A third-round pick in 2020, Baun finished a career-best regular season with 151 total tackles, 93 solo tackles, five forced fumbles, four pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, and an interception.

Instead of flaming out of the league, Baun found the perfect role for his skill set thanks to Fangio. That story alone will get him some legitimate voting buzz, but the production and the team's 14-3 record are what should help him beat out talented players on teams who didn't even make the postseason.


Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half in the NFC Championship.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half in the NFC Championship. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Offensive Player of the Year

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles logo

This award is really a two-horse race between Ja'Marr Chase and Saquon Barkley. While it feels like almost a coin flip, Barkley's season deserves to be remembered historically with a significant NFL accolade.

Barkley became one of just nine running backs in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season. He had an opportunity to set the single-season rushing record but opted to sit for a Super Bowl run. The move paid off, with Barkley pacing to have the single greatest season (regular + playoffs) by a running back.

It's not just the production but the way that Barkley changed how Philadelphia's offense operates this season. His breakaway explosiveness and elusiveness in space allowed the Eagles to be way more selective with how they threw the ball, opening up explosive plays through the air to playmakers like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Running backs matter again, thanks to players like Barkley, who had an unbelievable year. Chase's triple crown at receiver would also be a deserving winner, but this award feels like Barkley's to lose.


Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) calls a play against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) calls a play against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter. Tim Heitman-Imagn Images.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders Washington Commanders logo

A deserving winner of this award would be Brock Bowers, who set multiple rookie receiving records despite playing tight end on a disappointing Raiders team. However, the season that Jayden Daniels had will go down as one of the most impressive by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.

Daniels set multiple rookie records this season, including rushing yards by a rookie QB (891) and completion percentage in a season (69 percent). He finished the year throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions, showing remarkable efficiency for such a young player.

While postseason success doesn't factor into the award, what Daniels did to take Washington to an NFC Championship Game shows the kind of impact he's had on the Commanders franchise. The team suddenly has life again and will take big swings this offseason to surround the future of the franchise with talent.

This feels like just the beginning for Daniels, who could quickly become a consensus top-five quarterback.


Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) celebrates after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) (not pictured) during the first half at Lumen Field.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) celebrates after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) (not pictured) during the first half at Lumen Field. Steven Bisig-Imagn Images.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Jared Verse, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams Los Angeles Rams logo

The Los Angeles Rams had the impossible task this offseason of replacing one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, Aaron Donald. You wouldn't think that, considering how easily Jared Verse slotted into a defensive front with so much young talent.

Verse almost immediately established himself as one of the top power rushers in the league as a rookie. He finished the year with just 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles but finished first among EDGEs with 89 pressures and tied for third with 41 defensive stops.

That's unreal production from a player this early in his career. Those pressures will convert into more sacks quickly, but it's such a dominant rookie year that no other finalist really has a case to win DROY.


Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Comeback Player of the Year

Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings logo

There was a time not too long ago when Sam Darnold was considered one of the biggest busts who was actively still on an NFL roster

Now, the former third-overall pick is about to get paid in free agency.

Thanks to Kevin O'Connell and a talented supporting cast in Minnesota, Darnold set the league on fire. He finished the year with a top-five quarterback season by traditional box score numbers, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

Darnold may have struggled at the tail end of the year and into the postseason, but this season could have gone so much differently for the Vikings if the journeyman quarterback hadn't stepped up and performed after first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy's knee injury.

It's an incredible story that makes Darnold the worthy Comeback Player of the Year winner after going from a potential career backup to a star.


Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell looks on during warmups before the NFC Championship football.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell looks on during warmups before the NFC Championship football. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.

Coach of the Year

Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions Detroit Lions logo

There isn't another coach on the same stratosphere as Dan Campbell when it comes to this award.

Other coaches like O'Connell and Dan Quinn deserve praise for their seasons, but no one had their team believing quite like Campbell did for the Detroit Lions. Despite injuries and adversity throughout the entire year, Campbell kept his team believing on their way to an NFC North title and a first-round bye with a 15-2 record.

The injuries eventually became too much to overcome, but Campbell and his staff's ability to keep the team focused on winning games through the regular season is one of the most impressive accomplishments by a coach over the last few seasons.

Whether it was staying consistently aggressive on fourth downs, running fake punts or trick plays, or just getting his team fired up, Campbell was fearless throughout the 2024 season.


Aaron Glenn is introduced as the new head coach of the New York Jets at a press conference at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on Jan. 27, 2025.
Aaron Glenn is introduced as the new head coach of the New York Jets at a press conference at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on Jan. 27, 2025.

Assistant Coach of the Year

Aaron Glenn, DC, Detroit Lions Detroit Lions logo

Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn were both named finalists for this award, but given the adversity that Glenn had to deal with all season, he deserves a slight edge.

Despite losing his premier pass rusher early in the year before countless other starters suffered long-term injuries, Glenn never stopped being aggressive as a player caller to put his players in position to make game-changing plays. In fact, the Lions still finished with a top-five defense by DVOA despite all of those injuries.

Johnson had been a hot name in head coaching circles for years, but the way Glenn had his defense continuing to fight and claw helped him land a job as the head coach for the New York Jets this offseason.

Most defensive coordinators would have tried to play it safe with their playcalling, with players like Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and Carlton Davis going down. Glenn decided to do the opposite and deserves a ton of credit for that fearlessness.


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