Live award show updates & winners for MVP, OPOY, DPOY & more
The NFL is recognizing its top players and performances of the 2021 NFL season at the 11th annual NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday night ahead of Super Bowl 56.
The ceremony, which will be hosted by comedian Keegan-Michael Key, will include the presentation of the NFL’s most sought-after awards. That includes the Walter Payton Man of the Year award and the MVP award as well.
The MVP is of particular interest this year, as two veteran quarterbacks are the frontrunners for the honor. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is expected to win his fourth MVP and become the first back-to-back winner of the award since Peyton Manning in 2008 and 2009. He was named the first-team All-Pro quarterback, so he has the edge in race for the award.
MORE: Why Aaron Rodgers will win MVP over Tom Brady
That said, Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady could pull off the upset after he threw for the second-most yardage in single-season NFL history (5,316). It’s also Brady’s last chance to win MVP, as he announced that he was retiring from the NFL at age 44 on Feb. 1, 2022.
The MVP race will be one to watch, and so too will be the Offensive Rookie of the Year battle between Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. Offensive Player of the Year will be another interesting category, as either MVP candidate, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and Rams receiver Cooper Kupp all have a chance to take home the honor.
Taylor received Sporting News’ Offensive Player of the Year award, but since the Colts missed the playoffs, that could open the door for another player to overtake him.
Sporting News will track all of the 2022 NFL Honors and award winners. Follow below for the latest results and a brief breakdown of each winner.
SN NFL AWARDS: 2021 winners | All-Pro team
NFL Honors 2022 award winners
The winners of these awards will be updated throughout the night on Thursday, during the 2022 NFL Honors.
Most Valuable Player
To be announced.
Offensive Player of the Year
To be announced.
Defensive Player of the Year: TJ Watt, LB, Steelers
Watt received the award — and a long bear hug — from his brother J.J., one of the presenters and himself a three-time DPOY
?: #NFLHonors on ABC & NFL Network pic.twitter.com/GeI09Fxldi
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2022
T.J. Watt broke through after finishing third and second in the voting the previous two seasons. He tied the NFL record with 22.5 sacks for Pittsburgh in just 15 games. He made first-team All-Pro for the third year in a row and the Pro Bowl for a fourth consecutive season.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
Chase accepted the award from the Bengals’ Super Bowl 56 location. He was a primary reason why Cincinnati jetted to LA this week for the big game. He caught 81 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns this season as Joe Burrow’s main target.
.@Real10jayy__ is the Offensive Rookie of the Year! #NFLHonors (by @NFLALLDAY) pic.twitter.com/bSoQy2sUHz
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2022
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Micah Parsons, LB, Cowboys
Parsons was the overwhelming favorite for the award, as the unanimous vote confirmed. He made an immediate impact on Dallas’ defense and never stopped dominating. He finished the season with 13 sacks, 64 solo tackles, three forced fumbles and three passes defensed.
UNANIMOUS.@MicahhParsons11 is THE Defensive Rookie of the Year! #NFLHonors (by @OldSpice) pic.twitter.com/vHEY3og8tT
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2022
Comeback Player of the Year: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
Burrow returned from a severe knee injury to lead Cincinnati to the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years. He, like Chase, accepted the award from the Bengals’ SoCal HQ.
Joey Comeback. ?
?: #NFLHonors on ABC & NFL Network pic.twitter.com/uMMisdfqxh
— NFL (@NFL) February 11, 2022
Coach of the Year
To be announced.
MORE: Ranking the NFL’s nine new coaching hires
Walter Payton Man of the Year
To be announced.
Assistant Coach of the Year
To be announced.
Clutch Performance Play of the Year
To be announced.
Fantasy Player of the Year
To be announced.
FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Year
To be announced.
Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
To be announced.
Celebration of the Year
To be announced.
Moment of the Year
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was honored for his NFL-record 66-yard game-winning field goal against the Lions.
