Patrick Mahomes was named NFL Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career at the annual NFL Honors awards show in Arizona ahead of Super Bowl LVII on Sunday.
Mahomes led the league in passing yards (5,250), touchdowns (41), and quarterback rating (77.5) during a dominant campaign for the sixth-year star. The Chiefs signal-caller led Kansas City to the Super Bowl on the back of a regular season in which his team went 14-3.
It is the second time Mahomes has won the most coveted individual award in the sport, after he romped to the MVP in 2018 - his first year as a starter - on the back of throwing 50 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions. In 2022, Mahomes ensured the Chiefs hosted their fifth successive AFC Championship Game, while he secured a third trip to the Super Bowl in four years.
Mahomes, wearing a pinstriped suit in a prerecorded video, accepted the award and appeared somewhat emotional during his speech as he beat out Cincinnati Bengals rival Joe Burrow, Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen, Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson and Super Bowl opposite number Jalen Hurts, of the Philadelphia Eagles. The 27-year-old - who is preparing to win the Super Bowl on Sunday - thanked his family, teammates and coaches for the honour.
Brian Daboll was a deserving recipient of the Coach of the Year award. Daboll led the New York Giants to the NFL Playoffs against all odds, and even won a postseason game as he turned the culture around to give the franchise a new lease of life. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was rewarded for his incredible season by winning the Comeback Player of the Year; the 32-year-old led the Seahawks
Meanwhile, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jefferson won Offensive Player of the Year after registering 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns. He beat out Hurts, Mahomes, and Tyreek Hill. Nick Bosa was named the Defensive Player of the Year as the 49ers star led the NFL in sacks, seeing off Micah Parsons and Chiefs star Chris Jones. Bosa tallied 18.5 sacks in 2022 and received 46 votes out of 50.
The New York Jets an officially showed they perhaps won the NFL Draft by securing a double, with receiver Garrett Wilson and corner Sauce Gardner winning Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year respectively.
The full list of key award winners from NFL Honors is below:
MVP -
Coach of the Year - Brian Daboll (New York Giants)
Offensive Player of the Year - Justin Jefferson, WR (Minnesota Vikings)
Defensive Player of the Year - Nick Bosa, DE (San Francisco 49ers)
Comeback Player of the Year - Geno Smith, QB (Seattle Seahawks)
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Garrett Wilson, WR (New York Jets)
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Sauce Gardner, CB (New York Jets)
Walter Payton Man of the Year - Dak Prescott, QB (Dallas Cowboys)
