2021 NFL Awards — The Daily Goat

As the NFL regular season reaches its conclusion, it’s time to discuss some of the NFL’s most prestigious regular season awards.

All of these awards have come down to the wire, and a case could be made for a number of different players for each award. But, if I were a voter, this is how I would vote for each award:

MVP: Tom Brady

*Image: USA Today Sports - Jayne Kamin-Oncea*

Tom Brady seemed like the front-runner to win the MVP award all season. But, over the last month, Aaron Rodgers has certainly made a real case to win the award. In Rodgers’ last six games, he has a 6-0 record with 16 touchdown passes and 0 interceptions. He’s had a quarterback rating of 120.9 during that span, and a completion percentage of 72.41%. On top of that, the Packers offense has scored 30 or more points in five of their last six games. So, the conversation has certainly shifted towards Aaron Rodgers winning his second consecutive MVP award.

But, despite Rodgers’ late-season push, I still give the nod to 44 year old, Tom Brady. Aaron Rodgers has certainly taken grasp of some valuable statistics, but, Brady still leads the NFL in passing yards (5,316), passing touchdowns (43), completions (485), and yards per game (312.7).

Brady’s body of work for 17 games measures up to Aaron Rodgers’, and Brady has had a multitude of bad luck that should be accounted for. Tom Brady has had 31 passes dropped this season, which is the second highest in the league. Rodgers has only had 13 passes dropped this season, which is the second fewest amongst starting quarterbacks. Brady has also dealt with a multitude of injuries to key skill position players. His top-passing targets Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, and Antonio Brown have missed a combined 19 games. Obviously, Brown is no longer in the fold, but, he was one of Tom Brady’s most-trusted offensive weapon. Even Brady’s running backs were hit by the injury bug. Leonard Fournette missed the final three games of the season, and Giovani Bernard missed the final five games. The Bucs ranked 26th in rushing yards per game (98.4), and 26th in total rushing yards.

It feels like his case for MVP has faded, and that shouldn’t be the case. At age 44, Tom Brady has put together an unprecedented season. Aaron Rodgers has had a great season, but what Tom Brady has done in 2021, is just another chapter of his immaculate legacy.

Offensive Player of the Year: Cooper Kupp

Similar to the MVP award, the offensive player is equally as close. Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Colts running back Jonathan Taylor separated themselves, and both had stellar 2021 campaigns.

But, by a narrow margin, I have Cooper Kupp winning the offensive player of the year award. Kupp put together a historic 2021 season, hauling in 145 receptions for 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns. Kupp also led the NFL in yards per game with 114.5. Cooper Kupp was a constant difference maker for the Rams, always coming up big when they have needed it most. While the Rams went through a transition at receiver mid-way through the season bringing in Odell Beckham Jr., Kupp didn’t miss a beat.

Kupp had at least 5 receptions in every game this season, and had over 11 yards receiving in 11 games. If It hadn’t been for Kupp, an argument could be made that the Rams would have fallen short in the NFC West, and who knows where they would stack up in the playoff field.

It’s plain and simple, no skill-position player had a better season than Cooper Kupp.

Defensive Player of the Year: TJ Watt

While the MVP award and the offensive player of the year award are very close, I don’t find this award to be that close.

TJ Watt separated himself from the pack, and quietly put together one of the best seasons a pass-rusher has ever had. In 15 games, Watt tied Michael Strahan’s record for most sacks in a season, with 22.5 sacks. To go a long with the sacks, Watt also led the NFL in tackles for loss (23).

The 27 year old Watt, helped this Steelers team reach the playoffs, as he compiled five sacks in the last three games of the season. When Watt played, the Steelers were 9-5-1, and were 0-2 without him.

TJ Watt is the menace for opposing quarterbacks and opposing head coaches, and he certainly proved it in 2021.

Comeback Player of the Year: Joe Burrow

After having his 2020 season cut short from a torn ACL, Joe Burrow lit up the scoreboard in the 2021 season. Burrow guided the Bengals to their first playoff appearance since 2015, and many believe that this Bengals team is a true dark horse in the AFC.

Burrow tossed 34 touchdown passes this season, leading the league in completion percentage (70.4%), and yards per attempt (8.9). Burrow led the offense to 27.1 points per game, which ranked seventh in the NFL.

Burrow is one of the most promising, young quarterbacks in the NFL, and this is only the beginning of his promising career. He could very may be in the discussion for the MVP award. He’s not a favorite by any means, but his name at least deserves to be in the conversation. Coming off of a major knee injury, and succeeding with an unstable offensive line make Burrow a shoo-in to win this award.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ja’Marr Chase

The offensive rookie of the year award basically has come down to a two-man race. Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Patriots quarterback Mac Jones have had superb rookie seasons. Jaylen Waddle also deserves some consideration, but both Jones and Chase deserve the edge. Ja’Marr Chase gets the slight edge, as he quickly became Joe Burrow’s favorite target. I’m not sure if the Bengals win the AFC North without Chase, he made that much of a difference for that Bengals offense.

Chase hauled in 81 receptions for 1,455 yards, and 13 touchdown receptions. Chase had two games in which he had over 200 yards receiving.

Most notably, his week 17 performance against the Chiefs was dynamite. Chase had 12 catches for 266 yards, and three touchdowns. Chase was a big part of beating the AFC favorite Chiefs, they don’t do it without him.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Micah Parsons

*Image: Getty Images - Richard Rodriquez*

It feels like Micah Parsons changed the Cowboys defense, overnight. It wasn’t that long ago in which the Cowboys were one of the worst defenses in football. Parsons was far and away the best rookie defender in 2021. Parsons seemingly made impactful games every single week. How could you not excited about his future?

Parsons had 13 total sacks, which led the team. He also led the team in tackles for loss with 20, and quarterback hits with 30.

Parsons’ impact can’t be talked about enough, he’s the defense rookie of the year, and it’s not close.

Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel

The Coach of the Year award could be given to a number of different coaches. But, what Mike Vrabel was able to do with this Titans team is extremely impressive. Vrabel led the Titans to the number one seed in the AFC, without Derrick Henry, and did it with a revolving door of players dealing with injuries or COVID.

Henry missed the remaining nine games in the regular season, AJ Brown missed four games, and dealt with injuries throughout the season. On top of that, Vrabel worked around Ryan Tannehill turning the ball over more than he has over the past two seasons. Tannehill tossed 14 interceptions, and lost four fumbles.

But, it didn’t matter, because Mike Vrabel found ways to win. The Titans had some impressive wins this season, as the Titans beat the Chiefs, the Rams, 49ers, and swept the Colts.

Mike Vrabel now has four consecutive winning records, and three consecutive playoff appearances. It’s time to give Vrabel some recognition.

Executive of the Year: Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick and the Patriots spent over $164 million in guaranteed money this offseason, completely flipping their roster on both sides of the ball. Not all of the free agency signings panned out in year one, but many of them did. Matthew Judon led the team in sacks (12.5), and earned a nod to the Pro Bowl. Kendrick Bourne and Hunter Henry have become key pieces to the Patriots offense.

Along with free agency, Bill Belichick seemed like he hit a homerun in the NFL Draft. After year one, Mac Jones looks like he has the capabilities of being a franchise quarterback, Christian Barmore was the Patriots’ best defensive lineman, and Rhamondre Stevenson has the makings of a lethal, physical runner in the Patriots backfield.

The Patriots roster in 2020 was flawed in a multitude of ways, and Bill Belichick has done a nice job of flipping the script, and flipping it fast. The biggest spenders in free agency typically have it backfire in their face, but, Bill Belichick has seemingly nailed it.