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The Chiefs (14-3) won their seventh straight AFC West championship, tying for the second-longest streak in NFL history, and earned the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC playoffs.
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The 27-year-old quarterback was named a first-team All-Pro for the second time and received his fifth career Pro Bowl invitation this year.
This season was Mahomes’ fifth as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback, and he’s led the franchise to five straight home AFC championship games and three Super Bowl appearances, including Super Bowl 57 on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.
“He’s a straight warrior and we know that. He’s our leader and we follow behind him,” Chiefs tackle Orlando Brown said after the team’s AFC championship win. “He’s the best at what he does in the world.”
Mahomes is the 10th quarterback in NFL history with multiple MVP awards.
The Chiefs drafted Mahomes No. 10 overall in the 2017 NFL draft out of Texas Tech. He became the team’s full-time starter in 2018. Since 2018, Mahomes leads the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, registering a 64-16 career regular-season record.
Offensive Player of the Year – Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson
Jefferson broke the Minnesota Vikings single season receiving record once occupied by Hall of Famer Randy Moss. The standout wide receiver compiled 128 catches, 1,809 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns. He led the NFL in both catches and receiving yards in 2022.
Defensive Player of the Year – San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa
Bosa was a key cog on the 49ers’ No. 1 ranked total defense and top scoring defense. He had a league-high 18.5 sacks this season. He was the first 49er to lead the NFL in sacks since the stat became official. He also produced 51 tackles and 19 tackles for loss.
“It feels amazing. Just entire lives work of grinding and ups and downs and you’re finally here,” Bosa said. “It’s time to look look back and enjoy it a little bit.”
Offensive Rookie of the Year – New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson
Wilson had 83 receptions and 1,103 receiving yards for New York this season, which were both Jets franchise records. The Ohio State product is the first Jets rookie to win the award since the merger.
“This means everything. It’s something that no one can ever take from me,” Wilson said. “Put in a lot of work to end up at this point and to see it come to fruition is awesome.”
Defensive Rookie of the Year – New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner
The No. 4 overall pick produced 75 tackles and two interceptions in his inaugural season. His 20 pass deflections led the NFL. He’s the fifth Jets player to win the award.
“I was more happy for Garrett (Wilson),” Gardner said after both Jets rookies walked away with awards. “It’s a true blessing.”
Comeback Player of the Year – Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith
Smith’s bounce-back year was rewarded on Thursday. Smith had career-highs in passing yards (4282) and touchdown passes (30). He also had a league best 69.8 completion percentage.
Smith’s career season earned him his first Pro Bowl invite.
Coach of the Year – New York Giants coach Brian Daboll
Daboll helped turn around the Giants in his first season in New York. He led the Giants to a 9-7-1 record and their first playoff appearance since 2016.
Daboll won Assistant Coach of the Year in 2020 when he was the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator. He is the first person to win both Coach of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year.
Assistant Coach of the Year – San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans
Ryans was in charge of the 49ers’ stingy defense. San Francisco had the NFL’s No. 1 ranked total defense and scoring defense with Ryans at the helm. His efforts leading the 49ers defense earned him a job as the Houston Texans head coach.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes named NFL MVP for second time
