Saquon Barkley Shines in Philadelphia: A Historic Season for the Eagles’ Star
Running back Saquon Barkley has truly made his mark in the City of Brotherly Love. In his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Barkley achieved a milestone that no other Eagles player has reached before. During the NFL Honors on Thursday night in New Orleans, he was awarded The Associated Press’ Offensive Player of the Year. This accolade is a testament to his incredible performance throughout the season.
Barkley’s stats speak volumes about his prowess on the field. He became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season, finishing just 100 yards shy of Eric Dickerson’s all-time record. His average of 142.7 yards rushing per game is the fourth-highest over the last 15 seasons. These numbers are not just impressive; they are a clear indication of Barkley’s dominance and consistency.
In the voting for the award, Barkley received 35 of 50 first-place votes. The only other player who garnered more than one first-place vote was Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, who received 12. Other notable players who received a first-place vote include Ravens’ Derrick Henry, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills.
Patrick Surtain II: A Defensive Powerhouse
Switching gears to the defensive side of the ball, the Denver Broncos‘ Patrick Surtain II has been a standout performer. He became the first cornerback in five years to win the Defensive Player of the Year award. Surtain’s defensive stats are nothing short of remarkable. He allowed only two touchdowns and 306 yards receiving, which ranks as the third-fewest among corners with at least 50 targets, according to ESPN Research.
Surtain received 26 first-place votes, outpacing Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (11) and Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns (5). In his acceptance speech, Surtain expressed gratitude to his parents, especially his father, Patrick Surtain Sr., a former NFL cornerback, for “setting the blueprint, and turning a young man into a grown man.” He also thanked the Broncos and coach Sean Payton for their support and belief in his abilities.
Jayden Daniels: A Rookie Sensation
The Washington Commanders have found a gem in quarterback Jayden Daniels, who clinched the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Daniels led Washington to its best season in over three decades, transforming a 4-13 team into a 12-5 powerhouse and guiding them to the NFC Championship Game. He is the first Washington player to win this award since quarterback Robert Griffin III in 2012.
Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft, made history by becoming the first rookie to throw for over 3,500 yards and rush for over 800 yards in a season. His leadership helped the Commanders average 28.5 points per game, the most by a team with a rookie quarterback. Daniels received 49 of 50 first-place votes, with the other going to Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders. Bo Nix of the Broncos finished third in the voting.
Joe Burrow: A Comeback Story
In a season marked by resilience, Joe Burrow was named Comeback Player of the Year. After recovering from a season-ending wrist injury, Burrow led the NFL with 4,918 yards passing and 43 touchdown passes in 2024. With a touch of humor, Burrow remarked, “I wouldn’t say this is necessarily an award you want to be nominated for two times,” highlighting the challenges he has faced with injuries.
The award was announced by Randy Moss, who sent a videotaped message of thanks as he battles cancer. The Hall of Fame receiver expressed gratitude to doctors and fans for their support, and the crowd cheered as a video montage of his career played during the show.
Other Notable Awards
- Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was named Assistant Coach of the Year.
- Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and ex-Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn finished second and third in voting, respectively.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Originally Written by: Jamison Hensley
