News

2/9/23

5 min read

Vikings' Jefferson Denies Mahomes Award Double; 49ers' Bosa wins DPoY; Jets rookies sweep

By The 33rd Team

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won his second Associated Press MVP Award on Thursday night as the NFL held its version of the Oscars at Symphony Hall in Phoenix.

Mahomes, who was edged out for AP Offensive Player of the Year by Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, was one of more than a dozen award winners revealed, including eight voted upon by The Associated Press.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dan Prescott was selected as the Walter Payton Man of the Year. 

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2023 included five Modern-Era members, three additions to the Senior Class, and one Coach/Contributor.

The Modern-Era Class included cornerback Ronde Barber, cornerback Darrelle Revis, tackle Joe Thomas, linebacker Zach Thomas, and linebacker/defensive end DeMarcus War. Barber and Joe Thomas are analysts for The 33rd Team.

The three Senior Class members are linebacker Chuck Howley, defensive lineman Joe Klecko, and safety Ken Riley. The Coach/Contributor member is longtime coach Don Coryell.

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

Prescott was the Cowboys' nominee during a process in which each team submitted a player for the award, which was voted for by a panel of judges that includes Commissioner Roger Goodell, 2022 winner Andrew Whitworth and former players. Previous Cowboys winners included Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman and Jason Witten.

Most Valuable Player

Mahomes, who led the NFL with 5,250 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes, defeated a field of finalists that included quarterbacks Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as Jefferson.

Mahomes led the Chiefs to the Super Bowl for the third time in four seasons. They will play Hurts and the Eagles on Sunday.

FULL STORY: Mahomes Wins Second MVP in Landslide

Offensive Player of the Year

Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson captured the honor, getting 35 of 50 first-place votes. Jefferson led the NFL with 128 receptions and 1,809 yards.

Jefferson beat out three other finalists: Mahomes, Hurts, and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Jefferson joins Adrian Peterson (2012) and Fran Tarkenton (1975) as Vikings winners.

Defensive Player of the Year

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, who led the league with 18.5 sacks, edged out Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and Cowboys defensive end/linebacker Micah Parsons.

Bosa is the third 49ers player to win the award, joining defensive lineman Dana Stubblefield (1997) and cornerback Deion Sanders (1994).

Rookies of the Year

The New York Jets swept rookie honors, thanks to two of their three first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson captured the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Wilson had 83 receptions for 1,103 yards. The other finalists were Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

Cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner took home the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Gardner, who had two interceptions, was the first rookie cornerback selected All-Pro in 41 years. He beat out Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen.

They became the third set of teammates to win the awards in the same year. Running back Alvin Kamara and cornerback Marshon Lattimore of the New Orleans Saints won in 2017, and running back Mel Farr and cornerback Lem Barney of the Lions won the inaugural awards in 1967.

Comeback Player of the Year

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, who led NFL starters in completion percentage (69.8) in his first as a full-time starter since 2014. The ninth-year pro started every game for the first time in a season since his rookie year of 2013. Smith passed for a career-high 4,282 yards along with 30 touchdown passes.

Smith beat out two running backs — Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants and Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers.

Coach of the Year

Giants coach Brian Daboll, who led the team to a 9-7-1 record and a wild-card win over the Vikings, was picked as the top coach. Daboll, in his first season as Giants coach, beat out Doug Pederson of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers. Daboll received 16 of 50 first-place votes to edge out Shanahan.

Assistant Coach of the Year

Bosa completed an award double for the 49ers. Former San Francisco defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, recently hired as the Houston Texans' coach, was selected the top assistant. The 49ers' defense finished first in points allowed and second in yards allowed. The other finalists were Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.

The Associated Press changed its voting system this year. In the past, voters were asked to list one name in each category. The new system has a ranked vote with five candidates for MVP and three candidates for every other award. 

Other award winners included:

  • Salute to Service Award — Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera 
  • Bud Light Celly of the Year — Cincinnati Bengals defense for their roller coaster celebration
  • FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Year — Joe Burrow, Bengals, and Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
  • NFL Fan of the Year — Larry Bevans, Seattle
  • Jim Brown Award for Leading Rusher — Josh Jacobs, Raiders
  • Best Moment of the Year — Justin Jefferson's one-handed catch against the Buffalo Bills
  • Never Not Working Protection Play of the Year — 49ers tight end George Kittle
Tags: 2023 NFL Honors, Brian Daboll, DeMeco Ryans See More

The 33rd Team

The 33rd Team is a Football Think Tank created by Mike Tannenbaum and Joe Banner.

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