Former Chargers LB Junior Seau was one of five players elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Considered one of the greatest linebackers in league history, Seau was inducted on his first year of eligibility. An eight-time first-team All Pro, he spent his first 12 years with the Chargers before finishing out his career with the Dolphins and New England. Seau ranks fourth in NFL history with 1,524 tackles to go along with 56.5 sacks and 18 interceptions. He's joined by Jerome Bettis, Charles Haley, Will Shields, Tim Brown, Seniors nominee Mick Tingelhoff, and contributors Bill Polian and Ron Wolf as members of the 2015 Hall of Fame class. Marvin Harrison, Orlando Pace, Tony Dungy, and Kurt Warner are among the notable candidates not selected this year.
Associated Press named Aaron Rodgers its 2014 NFL Most Valuable Player.
It's the second time in four years Rodgers has won the award. Rodgers posted a 38:5 TD/INT ratio this past season, leading the the Packers to a first-round bye and the NFC's No. 2 seed. He received 31 votes, beating out J.J. Watt (13), DeMarco Murray (2), Tony Romo (2), Tom Brady (1), and Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner (1). Despite winning MVP, Rodgers lost to Murray for Offensive Player of the Year. Rodgers remains locked in as the NFL's premier quarterback going into 2015.
Associated Press named Rob Gronkowski its 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Gronkowski was limited to seven games in 2013 due to knee and forearm injuries. He bounced back with an 82/1,124/12 line this season, finishing as an unanimous All-Pro. Gronkowski received 27 first-place votes, followed by Jeremy Maclin (7), Rolando McClain (7), Chris Harris (3), Justin Forsett (2), and Arian Foster (2). Cardinals LB Larry Foote and Kyle Orton also received a vote.
Associated Press named J.J. Watt its 2014 Defensive Player of the Year.
It was an easy choice. A three-time Pro Bowler, Watt was unanimously voted by the Associated Press. It's second time in three years he's won the award. Watt posted 20.5 sacks, 78 tackles, and recovered five fumbles in 2014. He also had three receiving touchdowns as a tight end in the Houston's goal-line package. Pro Football Focus has graded Watt as its No. 1 overall 3-4 end in three straight years. Watt is under contract through 2021 after the Texans rewarded him with an eight-year, $108 million contract prior to the season.
Aaron Donald was named the Associated Press' NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year on Saturday.
He beat out Ravens ILB C.J. Mosely, who finished with 18 votes. Donald was PFF's No.1 rated defensive tackle as a rookie, grading out top-five in both pass rushing and against the run. He appeared in all 16 games (12 starts) as a three-technique in DC Greg Williams' scheme, recording nine sacks and two forced fumbles. Raiders LB Khalil Mack (6) and 49ers ILB Chris Borland (1) also received votes.
Associated Press named Bruce Arians its 2014 Coach of the Year.
It's the second time in three years Arians has won the award. Arians led the Cardinals to an 11-5 record despite losing his top two quarterbacks to injury. He received 39.5 first-place votes, beating out Bill O'Brien, Jason Garrett, Pete Carroll, Jim Caldwell, and Bill Belichick. The Associated Press also named ex-Cardinals DC Todd Bowles its 2014 Assistant Coach of the Year.
Associated Press named DeMarco Murray its 2014 Offensive Player of the Year.
Murray led the NFL in carries (392), rushing yards (1,845) and touchdowns (13), while his 2,261 yards from scrimmage were 13th most all time. His historic season helped carry the Cowboys to their first playoff appearance since 2009. Murray earned 26 first-place votes, ahead of Aaron Rodgers (15), Antonio Brown (5), and Le'Veon Bell (2). Rob Gronkowski and Tony Romo also received votes.
Associated Press named Odell Beckham its 2014 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
After missing the first month of the season to a hamstring injury, Beckham took the league by storm with a 91/1,305/12 line over the final 12 games. His famous one-handed catch was the play of the year, and one of the best catches in NFL history. Beckham had at least 90 receiving yards or a touchdown in all but one game. He finished with 42 first-place votes, beating out Zack Martin (7) and Mike Evans (1). Beckham will return with Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle to form one of the league's better receiver corps in 2015.