There was a bit of an upset at the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday night where the league announced its player awards and the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced.
After Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson earned the nod on the All-Pro first team, it looked like he would likely win the third Most Valuable Player award of his career.
That didn’t happen.
The winner was announced and it was Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
He edged out Jackson in voting, earning 383 points to Jackson’s 362 as Allen won 27 of the 50 first-place votes in addition to 22 second-place votes and one third-place nod, while Jackson had 23 first-place votes, 26 second-place votes and one fourth-place vote.
It was Allen’s first career MVP.
The other notable player and coach awards were announced for Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. Likewise, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year was announced.
Below are the winners of the big awards.
Most Valuable Player: QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Leading the Bills to a 13-4 season, Allen threw 28 touchdown passes and rushed for 12.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first season with the Eagles.
Defensive Player of the Year: CB Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos
Surtain had four interceptions and 11 passes defensed, and he returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown. He made the All-Pro first team.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Daniels led the Commanders to a 12-win season and playoff berth. He threw 25 touchdown passes and rushed for six others and set an NFL rookie quarterback rushing record with 891 yards.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: LB Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
Verse had 4.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 18 QB hits, as well as a pair of forced fumbles and fumble recoveries in his rookie campaign.
Comeback Player of the Year: QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year: DL Arik Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars
Coach of the Year: Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
Assistant Coach of the Year: OC Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Josh Allen headlines NFL awards, beating Lamar Jackson for MVP
