As is generally the custom, the NFL announced its class of award winners a day before the Super Bowl goes to a coin flip. This year, the biggest honors went to Kansas Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes, fresh off a season of historical proportions, as he became just the second player ever to throw 50 touchdown scores over 5,000 yards in a single term. His 41 first-place votes easily bested Drew Brees, who earned a respectable 9 votes to place a distant second.
The freshly-minted MVP was on hand to accept his award, at the NFL Honors gala celebrating the year that was. Unsurprisingly, a few of the players suiting up this evening were awarded something or other. The Rams' Aaron Donald took home the AP Defensive Player of the Year award, while his teammates over on the other unit grabbed the Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year award. Check out the full list of honorees down below.
2018 NFL Awards.
AP Most Valuable Player: Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
Pepsi Rookie of the Year: New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley
FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Year: Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
Game Changer Award presented by Gillette: Seattle Seahawks LB Shaquem Griffin
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Indianapolis Colts LB Darius Leonard
Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year: Los Angeles Rams
Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award: New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees
AP Comeback Player of the Year: Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio
Deacon Jones Award: Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald
Touchdown Celebration of the Year: Seattle Seahawks
AP Coach of the Year: Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year: Philadelphia Eagles DE Chris Long
