Saunders: The Real Answer to the NFL MVP QB Debate is Neither
The Pro Football Writers of America will be releasing their on-field awards for the 2024 NFL season this week. As a proud member of the PFWA, and as a believer in transparency, I've included my votes for league awards, including NFL MVP, All-NFL, All-AFC and All-Rookie teams. Reminder that these are regular season awards only.
MVP: Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia EaglesIf is was ever going to be a year where a quarterback doesn't win this award, what Saquon Barkley has done since moving to the Philadelphia Eagles should be worthy. Barkley is the best player on one of the league's best offenses. He and Derrick Henry have completely changed the narrative on the value of experienced running backs around the NFL. The Eagles are the only legitimate Super Bowl contender who could lose their quarterback and still be as good as they are.
Offensive Player of the Year: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati BengalsJoe Burrow was the NFL leader in passing yards and touchdowns. I know the Bengals were not successful as a team, but Lamar Jackson certainly provides value with his running in addition to his passing stats, but I think Burrow's season deserves to be recognized.
Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh SteelersT.J. Watt almost certainly won't win, and he honestly probably doesn't even deserve a vote this year, but I couldn't find one contender I liked more than the others. Consider this a vote to attempt the right the cosmic injustice of last year's travesty.
Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jayden Daniels, Washington CommandersDefensive Rookie of the Year: Jared Verse, Los Angeles RamsComeback Player of the Year: Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers Most Improved Player of the Year: Sam Darnold, Minnesota VikingsCoach of the Year: Kevin O'Connell, Minnesota VikingsExecutive of the Year: Howie Roseman, Philadelphia EaglesAssistant Coach of the Year: Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions
QB: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati BengalsRB: Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles; Derrick Henry, Baltimore RavensWR: Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota VikingsTE: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas RaidersOT: Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles; Penei Sewell, Detroit LionsOG: Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons; Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis ColtsC: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City ChiefsDT: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh SteelersDE: Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals; Myles Garrett, Cleveland BrownsOLB: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers; Nik Bonito, Denver BroncosMLB: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ersCB: Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos; Trent McDuffie, Kansas City ChiefsS: Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions; Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore RavensK: Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh SteelersP: Jack Fox, Detroit LionsKR: KaVontae Turpin, Dallas CowboysPR: Marvin Mims Jr., Denver BroncosST: Jeremy Reaves, Washington Commanders
QB: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati BengalsRB: Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens; Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis ColtsWR: Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals; Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville JaguarsTE: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas RaidersOT: Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers; Terron Armstead, Miami DolphinsOG: Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts; Quinn Meinerz, Denver BroncosC: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City ChiefsDT: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh SteelersDE: Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals; Myles Garrett, Cleveland BrownsOLB: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers; Nik Bonito, Denver BroncosMLB: Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis ColtsCB: Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos; Trent McDuffie, Kansas City ChiefsS: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens; Derwin James, Los Angeles ChargersK: Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh SteelersP: Tommy Townsend, Houston TexansKR: Derius Davis, Los Angeles ChargersPR: Marvin Mims Jr., Denver BroncosST: Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh Steelers
QB: Jayden Daniels, Washington CommandersRB: Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York GiantsWR: Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars; Malik Nabers, New York GiantsTE: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas RaidersOT: Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers; Roger Rosengarten, Baltimore RavensOG: Dominick Puni, San Francisco 49ers; Jackson Powers-Johnson, Las Vegas RaidersC: Zach Frazier, Pittsburgh SteelersDL: Braden Fiske, Los Angeles Rams; Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts; Jer'Zhan Newton, Washignton Commanders; T'Vondre Sweat, Tennessee TitansLB: Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams; Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers; Chop Robinson, Miami DolphinsCB: Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles; Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia EaglesS: Kamren Kinchens, Los Angeles Rams; Calen Bullock, Houston TexansK: Cam Little, Jacksonville JaguarsP: Ryan Rehkow, Cincinnati BengalsKR: Malik Washington, Miami DolphinsPR: Brandon Codrington, Buffalo BillsST: Tyler Owens, Washington Commanders
More must-reads:
Bell: Fix to Steelers Defense Starts with This Change at Coordinator
Saunders: Steelers Defensive Scheme Let Down T.J. Watt
Has 'The Standard' Changed? Pat Freiermuth Doesn't Think So
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
New York Giants' Evan Neal earns first-team reps at guard during OTAs
New York Giants' Evan Neal earns first-team reps at guard during OTAs New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal is getting one final shot to prove his worth to the team that drafted him. The No. 7 overall pick from the 2022 NFL draft has had a tumultuous start to his career, battling injuries and poor play while trying to establish himself as the starting right tackle. After the Giants declined the fifth-year option in his rookie contract this offseason, Neal is running out of chances to secure a long-term roster spot. After spending the first three years of his career working at the right tackle position, the Giants are giving the Alabama product a shot at competing for one of the guard spots, which is currently up for grabs alongside a pair of veterans. During Thursday's practice at organized team activities (OTAs), Neal was seen taking the majority of first-team reps at left guard with Greg Van Roten and Jon Runyan Jr. sidelined during team drills. Neal was part of the first draft class that Schoen had as general manager of the Giants in 2022 alongside Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was the No. 5 overall pick in that draft. The former hasn't had much success at the NFL level since arriving so it's fair to say this is a make-or-break season for the 24-year-old. With Jermaine Eluemunor coming over last offseason in free agency, Neal wound up playing the fewest snaps of his career at right tackle (456). Though he excelled as a run blocker, he allowed 17 total pressures, including two sacks and five QB hits on 314 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Neal is set to be a free agent following the 2025 season so if there's a chance he can carve out a role as an interior offensive lineman, it may just be what saves his career.
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
At YouTube Brandcast, Lady Gaga, ‘Hot Ones' & NFL Help Video Giant Mark 20 Creator-Shaped Years
At YouTube Brandcast on Wednesday night, the finale of a three-day blitz of upfront presentations in New York, Lady Gaga achieved the rarest of things: a standing ovation and screams of enthusiasm from a crowd of advertisers. The pop star's scorching 20-minute set closed things on a high note and received the opposite of the usually jaded reactions, but the event had already been a substantive one before she stepped onstage. The 20th anniversary of YouTube earlier this year served as the framework for the presentation, with appearances and remarks reflecting the milestone. More from Deadline Charlize Theron Appears At Netflix Upfront Following Injury On Set Of 'Apex': "My Cute Boot Is Hiding A Fractured Toe" YouTube Will Stream Kansas City Chiefs-L.A. Chargers NFL Game For Free From Brazil This September - Update Netflix Releases NFL Christmas Gameday Schedule With Cowboys Vs. Commanders & Lions Vs. Vikings 'In just two decades, YouTube has reshaped how we watch entertainment,' CEO Neil Mohan said. Live events, from concerts to sports to many other kinds, have come to be one of YouTube's foundational elements as technology improvements have enabled more seamless livestreams. 'We want to bring more of these moments to fans everywhere,' Mohan said. One example in September will be an NFL game in Brazil, streamed on YouTube in full for the first time. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell took the stage at the Lincoln Center presentation and joined Chief Business Officer Mary Ellen Coe to mark the step-up in the relationship between the league and the video giant. The expanded deal encompasses a flag football game during Super Bowl week, which last year drew 6 million viewers. Coe also announced a new initiative to give ad buyers a chance to get in on key cultural moments. Brands can collaborate with YouTube creators and properties like this month's PGA Championship (or award shows like the Oscars and Emmys, plus a number of other events) to create custom ads. Befitting the night's themes, MrBeast (aka Jimmy Donaldson) made an appearance. With 394 million followers, he has long been the standard-bearer for the creator community. 'People ask me if I'm going Hollywood. Why?' he said. 'The future of entertainment is not in Hollywood. It's happening right here, right now, on YouTube.' Popular YouTuber Brittany Broski (aka Brittany Tomlinson) interviewed another longtime creator, Sean Evans, who hosts interview series Hot Ones. Evans recently participated in an $82.5 million deal to buy the property from BuzzFeed, giving him an ownership stake in the chat show. 'Ownership, equity, and having a stake in the game is like a natural state for a creative person,' he said. 'We are far past the days when a production company or studio is bigger than the person creating the content.' Asked about the enduring appeal of his 10-year-old show, Evans said, 'It pierces the façade of celebrity. … We knock them off the pedestal and take it down to a relatable level.' Best of Deadline Where To Watch All The 'Mission: Impossible' Movies: Streamers With Multiple Films In The Franchise Everything We Know About 'My Life With The Walter Boys' Season 2 So Far 'Bridgerton' Season 4: Everything We Know So Far
USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
Shaquille O'Neal says he'd average 50 points per game if he played in today's NBA
Shaquille O'Neal says he'd average 50 points per game if he played in today's NBA Back in the day, Shaquille O'Neal was the most feared player in the NBA, and many would say he was the most dominant player the league has ever seen, especially when one tries to compare eras. He led the league in scoring average twice and averaged over 26 points a game in 10 straight seasons, and he ended up making 15 All-Star teams and winning four championships. Most of his best years came with the Los Angeles Lakers, the team he spent eight seasons with beginning in the 1996-97 campaign. The game was played differently back then, as teams played at a very slow pace and more physicality was allowed by referees. There is a false perception that, while the game is faster-paced and less physical today, the NBA has become soft and that it is too easy to score. O'Neal seemed to agree with this opinion when he claimed on a recent podcast appearance that he would've averaged 50 points a game in today's league had he been in his prime (h/t Lakers Daily). 'Somebody asked me the other day what would I average — I would average 50,' O'Neal said. 'And the reason why I'd average 50 'cause I don't do what everybody else is doing. You shoot a 3 on me, Joker (Nikola Jokic), you better [expletive] make it because I'ma run right by you and stand in the middle of the lane and watch you and your whole [expletive] team go, 'Three seconds, three seconds, three seconds!' And Penny [Hardaway] gonna push that [expletive] and throw it, and I'ma dunk it. And I know for a fact I'll make 15 2s before you make 10 3s. 'I'm getting 30. I'm getting 30 every night. And then now when you foul somebody, it's a flagrant, so guys don't really wanna foul you hard. … That's another 10 points right there, and then I'ma concentrate on the [expletive] free throw, get that elbow there — that's 45 points right there. 'Oh, Shaq couldn't play in this league.' Shaq ain't known for defense. Okay, Joker, you can hit a 3, but again, I'ma run right by you, and I'ma seal my [expletive] in the lane, and ain't nobody moving me 'cause you know why? If you move me, you make my mama move out of her house, and that [expletive] ain't gonna happen.' This is certainly a high-scoring era in the NBA. During the 2024-25 regular season, teams averaged 113.8 points a game, and 13 of the league's 30 teams averaged over 100 possessions per game. By comparison, during the 1999-2000 campaign, when O'Neal won his lone MVP award, only one team averaged over 100 possessions a game, and only seven teams averaged even 100 points per game. But anyone — even O'Neal — averaging 50 points a game today would be a very tall order. The only player to ever do so was Wilt Chamberlain during the 1961-62 season. There were many more possessions back then than there are today, and teams averaged 118.8 points per contest. In addition, team defensive schemes were very much in their infancy. O'Neal's high-water mark in scoring was 29.7 points per game during that magical 1999-2000 campaign. That was the year in which O'Neal and the late great Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to the first of three straight NBA championships.
