This NFL season has been a wild ride. The cliche “any given sunday” rang true this year, as there was an abundance of upsets, lead changes, and as always, amazing play. Who came out on top for the most important awards? The MoCo Student will take a look before the annual awards show on February 10th.
MVP: Cooper Kupp
Hear me out. The NFL is a quarterbacks league, and a quarterback is the most important piece to a championship team, as evidenced by the biggest contenders’ QBs (Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, etc.)
There is normally a prime example of a QB that deserves the MVP. This year, depending on the stats you prefer, you can pick a QB for your argument. Prefer typical counting stats? Tom Brady it is. Efficiency stats? Aaron Rodgers. Both of these players had great seasons. It would take a herculean effort by a position player to wrestle away a quarterback’s award.
Enter Cooper Kupp. Kupp hadn’t been unknown, as he was a solid slot receiver his first four years. This year, Kupp submitted his entry to the pantheon of Wide Receiver seasons, alongside Jerry Rice’s 1995 and Calvin Johnsons 2012. Kupp led the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, becoming just the 4th receiver in NFL history to accomplish the “triple crown”.
Kupps’ season was made even more impressive due to the attention paid to him by opposing defenses after teammate and 2 time 1,000 yard receiver Robert Woods suffered a season ending ACL. Cam Akers, an expected feature of their offense, missed the entire regular season with an achilles injury. So much of the offensive burden was on him, and game after game, he served as the engine of their offense. To me, that defines “Most Valuable”.
Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Brady
In typical seasons, this award goes to the best non-quarterback. On this ballot, it’s going to be the best quarterback. Father time doesn’t even know what galaxy Brady lives in. At 44 years old, he led the field in completions, yards, and touchdowns. Stunningly, Brady finished with a career high in yards in his 21st season as a starter.
The Tampa Bay offense had injury woes all season long, as they missed games from Rob Gronkowski, Leonard Fournette, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown. No matter, as Brady kept their team humming along to the tune of thirty points a game. Hats off to Brady, as he continues to win in a league of players who grew up watching him, and coaches younger than he is.
Defensive player of the Year: T.J Watt
There were excellent efforts from the LA Rams perennial all pro Aaron Donald, Dallas Cowboys rookie Micah Parsons, and Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett. Watt, however, pulled away with this award, serving as the most important player for the steelers playoff chances, and a key reason why they would secure the NFC’s 7 seed.
His most remarkable achievement was tying Michel Strahan’s single season sack record in one less game. He also led the league in tackles for loss, and the unofficial “strikes fear in the hearts of quarterbacks” stat.
Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel
There was no shortage of excellent candidates, as Matt Lafleur navigated injuries to important players, and helped the Packers achieve the league’s best record. However, his quarterback helped him along quite a bit. Bill Belichick was also a contender, but the Patriots faltered down the stretch. In Tennessee, it was ex-Patriots Linebacker Mike Vrabel who somehow sustained the injury of one of the best running backs of the 21st century, and still willed the Tennessee Titans into the first seed. Everything the Titans want to do on offense is predicated on establishing Henry’s dominant run game, then mixing in a play-action passing attack. When Henry went down, more of an offensive burden was placed on receiver AJ Brown, and backup running back D’Onta Foreman, who did his best Henry impression. Having to change his team on the fly, and securing that the AFC would run through Tennessee is worthy of Coach of the Year.
Executive of the Year: Bill Belichick
It happens every year. Some teams spend waaaaay too much money in free agency, only for these splashy acquisitions to bust. Bill Belichick didn’t get the second part of that memo. Free agent signing Mathew Judon was a key cog in a top three points-allowed defense. Tight End Hunter Henry broke through as a red zone threat, with 9 touchdowns, finishing tied for 2nd among tight ends. Kendrick Bourne also had a great year, finishing with a team high 800 yards. Jalen Mills was a good number 2 corner in zone, and with J.C Jackson opposite him, all he needed was serviceable play. Additionally, three of the first four draft picks played crucial roles in their return to the playoffs, Mac Jones, Christian Barmore and Rhamondre Stevenson all were vital to the 2021 Patriots. This year, Belichick the GM outdid Belichick the coach.
Article by Ethan Lenkin of Thomas S. Wootton High School
Photo courtesy of Unsplash