Associated Press Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers, Sixth player ever to win 3+ MVPs. Without Herbert's heroics and 4,336 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, the season would have been a disaster. It took 17 surgeries and a year of rehab before Smith made his way back onto the field.Once he did, it was like he never left.The three-time Pro Bowler returned to the field in 2021 and passed for 1,582 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions in eight games. "Being a part of history [would be] pretty special." It’s worth noting that the winner of the PFWA Defensive Player of the Year award doesn’t always predict the … Only Aaron Rodgers could win an MVP award and have that become the second-most newsworthy item of his night. The Kansas City Chiefs will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday (6:30 p.m. Despite those obstacles, Stefanski guided the Browns to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. 2021 NFL Draft Player Profiles; ... ergo he is also Defensive Player of the Year”, Sam Monson wrote. PFWA Defensive Player of the Year Versus AP DPOY. 2021 NFL Honors: Who won the league's biggest awards? @Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is the 2020 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year! "Wilson and his wife, Ciara, have been giving back in numerous ways over the years, first and foremost through their Why Not You Foundation, which was established to empower change in the world, one individual at a time. But there's a convincing argument … He previously won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018, when he had 11 and 20.5 sacks, respectively. The Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press (AP) to the most outstanding defensive player in the National Football League (NFL) at the end of every season. Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald won the 2020-21 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, making it his third DPOY victory. The 6-foot-3, 247-pound back finished first in rushing yards, carries (378) and rushing touchdowns (17). Herbert breathed life into a talented team crushed under the weight of poor coaching decisions, poor clock management and its own history of failing to close out games (since 2006, the Chargers had lost 72 games by one score). I believe that's what helped me throughout the whole season.". Defenses focused on stopping Henry every week by stacking the box. The honor was given out at the NFL Honors show in Los Angeles on Saturday. Here's all the news and highlights from the NFL Honors 2021. Simpson, Terrell Davis, Jamal Lewis, Chris Johnson and, "Two thousand yards is always on a running back's mind," Henry told. Young not only met them, but in some cases exceeded them. The quarterback was determined to make it back to the NFL and not let his injury end his career. 2017: Pro Bowl, 1st team All Pro, DPOY Donald is now tied with J.J. as one of three players in NFL history — DPOY was first awarded in 1971 — to win three DPOY trophies. In his seventh NFL season, Donald continued to demand opponents' attention because of his ability to single-handedly wreck a game plan. Watt certainly won't be forgetting them anytime soon. "Not many guys have done it," Rodgers said late in the season. "It wasn't the rookie season I expected with the pandemic going on," Young said. Rodgers is 1 of 5 players in NFL history to win an MVP at age 37 or older. Make it back-to-back Ohio State alums to claim DPOY. “I want to thank my teammates just for the support all year and always staying on me and holding me accountable. Simpson, Terrell Davis, Jamal Lewis, Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson. -- Lindsey Thiry, Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers: To quote Miley Cyrus, Justin Herbert came in like a wrecking ball ... but in a good way. -- Turron Davenport, Aaron Donald, DE, Los Angeles Rams: Donald joins elite company as he becomes the third player in NFL history to earn Defensive Player of the Year a third time. Fearless. 2020: Pro Bowl, 1st team All Pro, DPOY As far as me, as long as I train hard and work hard in the offseason, and then when I come in for training camp and do what I need to do to be ready to prepare for the season, everything would take care of itself. The Rams DT became just the third player in NFL history to win three DPOY awards, joining J.J. Watt and Taylor. Justin Herbert was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year and Alex Smith won Comeback Player of the Year during the "NFL Honors" award show. Herbert nearly single-handedly elevated the Chargers offense with 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 15 games.The Oregon Ducks product immediately thanked his offensive line and said the award speaks volumes about how the Chargers played as a team. Since 2011, the award has been presented at the annual NFL Honors ceremony the day before the Super Bowl, along with other AP awards, such as the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, AP NF… Howard received three votes. Simmons is way lower than washed-up Richard Sherman and rookie Chase Young. The Washington veteran suffered a devastating leg injury after being sacked by Houston Texans star J.J. Watt in 2018. His savviness often prevented plays. This may have been one of the easier selections of the night, and hardly anyone seemed surprised. In his last five games Young recorded three sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown, and six of his 12 quarterback hits. -- John Keim, Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team: Doubt about Smith's football future trailed his recovery from a broken fibula and tibia followed by 17 surgeries because of infections. (1:07). re: Why didn’t TJ Watt win DPOY over Aaron Donald? #NFLHonors | @KingHenry_2 https://t.co/bCE0l97dps, AP Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams. Despite that, he became the eighth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 or more yards. "Two thousand yards is always on a running back's mind," Henry told the AP. “You can certainly build an argument for other players, but … [February 6, 2021] In a bit of a surprise, Aaron Donald has won NFL Defensive Player of the Year for … Many Pittsburgh Steelers fans tuned in with anticipation to see if linebacker T.J. Watt would win Defensive Player of the Year… Herbert made the Chargers exciting and fun to watch and is everything they and first-year head coach Brandon Staley want for the future.