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 Eagles
If 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 Bengals
Joe 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 Steelers
T.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 Commanders
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
Comeback Player of the Year: Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Most Improved Player of the Year: Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
Coach of the Year: Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
Executive of the Year: Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles
Assistant Coach of the Year: Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions
ALL-NFL TEAM
QB: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
RB: Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles; Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
WR: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
TE: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
OT: Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles; Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions
OG: Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons; Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts
C: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs
DT: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
DE: Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals; Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
OLB: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers; Nik Bonito, Denver Broncos
MLB: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
CB: Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos; Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs
S: Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions; Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens
K: Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers
P: Jack Fox, Detroit Lions
KR: KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys
PR: Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
ST: Jeremy Reaves, Washington Commanders
ALL-AFC TEAM
QB: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
RB: Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens; Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
WR: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals; Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
TE: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
OT: Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers; Terron Armstead, Miami Dolphins
OG: Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts; Quinn Meinerz, Denver Broncos
C: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs
DT: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
DE: Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals; Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
OLB: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers; Nik Bonito, Denver Broncos
MLB: Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts
CB: Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos; Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs
S: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens; Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
K: Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers
P: Tommy Townsend, Houston Texans
KR: Derius Davis, Los Angeles Chargers
PR: Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
ST: Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh Steelers
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
QB: Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
RB: Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
WR: Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars; Malik Nabers, New York Giants
TE: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
OT: Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers; Roger Rosengarten, Baltimore Ravens
OG: Dominick Puni, San Francisco 49ers; Jackson Powers-Johnson, Las Vegas Raiders
C: Zach Frazier, Pittsburgh Steelers
DL: Braden Fiske, Los Angeles Rams; Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts; Jer’Zhan Newton, Washignton Commanders; T’Vondre Sweat, Tennessee Titans
LB: Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams; Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers; Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins
CB: Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles; Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles
S: Kamren Kinchens, Los Angeles Rams; Calen Bullock, Houston Texans
K: Cam Little, Jacksonville Jaguars
P: Ryan Rehkow, Cincinnati Bengals
KR: Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins
PR: Brandon Codrington, Buffalo Bills
ST: Tyler Owens, Washington Commanders