NFL 2025 Honors: Who Won the League's Biggest Awards & Why Fans Aren't Happy About It

The NFL honored the top performers of the 2024 season on Thursday night, celebrating players and staff with major accolades. However, not all fans agreed with the results—especially when it came to the Most Valuable Player award

On February 7, 2025, the NFL celebrated another year of excellence around the league at the 14th annual NFL Honors, held at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans.

Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the event featured the announcement of The Associated Press's NFL Awards and the reveal of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was named Most Valuable Player (MVP), edging out Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for the award.

Allen secured 383 points and 27 first-place votes, while Jackson finished with 362 points and 23 first-place votes. This made Allen only the third player in history to win MVP without being named first-team All-Pro.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was named AP Coach of the Year (COTY) after earning 361 points and 25 first-place votes.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow won AP Comeback Player of the Year, securing first place with 370 points and 31 votes.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was named AP Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY) with a dominant 406 points and 35 first-place votes.

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II earned AP Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) honors, winning with 330 points and 26 votes. He edged out Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who finished second with 205 points.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels claimed AP Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) with 495 points and 49 of 50 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who earned 214 points.

Los Angeles Rams pass rusher Jared Verse was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) after earning 427 points and 37 first-place votes. He defeated Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who finished second with 239 points.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead was honored with the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. While all 32 nominees received $55,000 to donate to a charity of their choice, Armstead was awarded $265,000 for his selected charity.

Meanwhile, Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and senior nominee Sterling Sharpe were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Many fans echoed the disappointment. One person simply wrote, "not deserved," while another, criticizing the Bills quarterback's win, exclaimed, "LMAO PITY AWARD!!! We all know SAQUON!! Is the real mvp !! [sic]" Another X user claimed, "The only reason Josh Allen won MVP is because he hasn't won it before."

Frustration continued to build, with one fan admitting, "I can't believe I'm saying this but Lamar was robbed," while another argued, "Lamar is significantly more valuable than him. The game is played on the field, not on paper."

"Lamar got robbed! Lamar had a historic season! Pity award for Josh Allen!"exclaimed one X user. Another called it the "Biggest robbery of the century," while an Instagram user believed the entire process was "Rigged."

Despite the backlash, AmoMama congratulates all the winners on their achievements.