AP NFL MVP Finalists Announced: Allen, Barkley, Burrow, Goff, and Jackson

The Associated Press has revealed the finalists for the 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, highlighting a mix of seasoned stars and standout performers. The nominees include Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, and Lamar Jackson. These players have shown exceptional talent and leadership, earning recognition from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who voted before the playoffs began. The winners will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony on February 6.

Most Valuable Player Finalists

Josh Allen

Josh Allen, the dynamic quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, led his team to their fifth consecutive AFC East title. Allen threw for 3,731 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, achieving an impressive passer rating of 101.4. He also showcased his mobility, rushing for 531 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns on the ground. Allen’s versatility has cemented his place among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.

Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley delivered a historic season for the Philadelphia Eagles, rushing for 2,005 yards—the eighth-highest total in NFL history. Barkley played a crucial role in the Eagles winning the NFC East and advancing to the conference championship game. He narrowly missed breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record, sitting out the final regular-season game just 101 yards short.

Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow led the league in passing yards with a career-high 4,918 and recorded 43 touchdowns. Despite his stellar performance, the Cincinnati Bengals ended the season 9-8 and missed the playoffs. Burrow’s exceptional achievements have also earned him nominations for Offensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.

Jared Goff

Jared Goff spearheaded the Detroit Lions’ rise to the NFC’s top seed, throwing for 4,629 yards, 37 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. His steady leadership and efficiency were pivotal to the Lions’ success, though the team was ultimately eliminated in the divisional round by the Washington Commanders.

Lamar Jackson

Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson is seeking his third MVP title after leading the Baltimore Ravens to an AFC North championship. Jackson set career-highs with 4,172 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and a league-best passer rating of 119.6. He also demonstrated his rushing ability with 915 yards and four touchdowns. Despite his incredible season, the Ravens were eliminated by Josh Allen’s Bills in the divisional round.

Offensive Player of the Year Finalists

The Offensive Player of the Year nominees include Saquon Barkley, Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Derrick Henry, and Lamar Jackson.

• Ja’Marr Chase: The Bengals’ star wide receiver led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17), earning a unanimous All-Pro selection.
• Derrick Henry: The former Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns during his first season with the Baltimore Ravens.

Defensive Player of the Year Finalists

The Defensive Player of the Year contenders showcase a mix of dominant pass rushers and elite defenders:

• Zack Baun: The Eagles linebacker made a remarkable leap from special teams to earning All-Pro honors in his first season with Philadelphia.
• Myles Garrett: The reigning winner from the Cleveland Browns recorded 14 sacks, maintaining his status as a premier defensive player.
• Trey Hendrickson: The Bengals’ edge rusher led the league with 17.5 sacks, further solidifying his dominance.
• Patrick Surtain II: The Broncos cornerback allowed just 37 receptions and recorded four interceptions, with opposing quarterbacks posting a 61.1 passer rating against him.
• T.J. Watt: The Steelers edge rusher tallied 11.5 sacks and forced six fumbles, proving his disruptive capabilities.

Rookie of the Year Finalists

Offensive Rookie of the Year

• Brock Bowers (Raiders): The tight end set a rookie record with 112 receptions and 1,194 yards.
• Jayden Daniels (Commanders): Daniels turned Washington around with 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and nearly 900 rushing yards.
• Malik Nabers (Giants): Nabers recorded 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns.
• Bo Nix (Broncos): Nix helped Denver reach the playoffs with 3,775 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 430 rushing yards.
• Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars): Thomas recorded 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

• Cooper DeJean (Eagles): DeJean excelled in slot coverage, allowing just 50 receptions and an 82.2 passer rating against him.
• Braden Fiske (Rams): Fiske led all rookies with 8.5 sacks, 51 pressures, and 10 tackles for loss.
• Quinyon Mitchell (Eagles): Mitchell allowed only 40 receptions and posted nine pass breakups.
• Chop Robinson (Dolphins): Robinson recorded six sacks and eight tackles for loss.
• Jared Verse (Rams): Verse led rookies in quarterback hits and pressures, adding 11 tackles for loss.

Coach of the Year Finalists

• Dan Campbell (Lions): Campbell guided Detroit to a 15-3 record and the NFC’s top seed.
• Kevin O’Connell (Vikings): O’Connell led Minnesota to the playoffs despite significant roster challenges.
• Sean Payton (Broncos): Payton helped Denver end a nine-year playoff drought with a 10-8 record.
• Dan Quinn (Commanders): Quinn transformed Washington into a 12-win playoff contender after a 4-13 season.
• Andy Reid (Chiefs): Reid led Kansas City to the AFC’s No. 1 seed, aiming for a third consecutive Super Bowl win.

Assistant Coach of the Year Finalists

Finalists for Assistant Coach of the Year include Joe Brady (Bills), Vic Fangio (Eagles), Brian Flores (Vikings), Aaron Glenn (Lions), and Ben Johnson (Lions).

Comeback Player of the Year Finalists

• Joe Burrow: Burrow returned to elite form following a challenging previous season.
• Sam Darnold (Vikings): Darnold excelled in his new role, showcasing resilience.
• J.K. Dobbins (Chargers): Dobbins overcame injuries to post a strong season.
• Christian Gonzalez (Patriots): Gonzalez rebounded from injuries to shine as a cornerback.
• Damar Hamlin (Bills): Hamlin made an inspirational return after a life-threatening incident in 2023.

Excitement Builds for NFL Honors

The NFL Honors ceremony on February 6 will celebrate the league’s best performances of the 2024 season. Fans eagerly await the announcement of winners across these prestigious categories.