Who Will Win? NFL Awards and Playoff Predictions
Multiple awards, multiple thoughts
The 2025 NFL regular season delivered everything fans could’ve hoped for—historic performances, shocking turnarounds, breakout stars, and veteran greatness that reminded everyone why the league never stays predictable for long. From rookies immediately changing the direction of franchises to established stars putting together all-time seasons, this year forced voters to make some of the toughest award decisions in recent memory.
After weighing production, impact, context, and team success, these are my picks for the NFL’s major awards. Some were obvious. Others required deeper thought.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Winner: Tetairoa McMillan
Tetairoa McMillan is my Offensive Rookie of the Year, and I don’t think it’s particularly close. He entered the league as the most complete receiver in his class and immediately proved it, becoming a centerpiece of the Carolina Panthers’ offense. McMillan finished his rookie season with 70 receptions, 1,014 yards, and 7 touchdowns—numbers that don’t just stand out for a rookie, but for any starting wide receiver.
What elevates McMillan’s case is impact. He wasn’t just productive; he was essential. His presence helped Carolina secure the #4 seed in the NFC, giving this offense a reliable go-to option in critical moments. While players like Jaxson Dart, Emeka Egbuka, and Tyler Shough had solid rookie years, none matched McMillan’s combination of consistency, efficiency, and team value. He earned this award.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Winner: Carson Schwesinger
The Defensive Rookie of the Year race is tight, but Carson Schwesinger ultimately takes it. The Cleveland Browns linebacker put together a monster season, recording 156 total tackles, 67 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions. His production jumped off the stat sheet, but more importantly, he was everywhere on the field.
James Pearce Jr. has a strong case after posting 10.5 sacks as a rookie, and purely as a pass rusher, he may have had the more explosive season. However, Schwesinger’s all-around impact—run defense and coverage abilities give him the edge.
Offensive Player of the Year
Winner: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
This one is a no-brainer. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is your Offensive Player of the Year. He led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,793, ranked fourth in receptions with 119, and added 10 touchdowns, all while being the focal point of the league’s best team.
Seattle’s rise to the #1 seed in the NFC doesn’t happen without Smith-Njigba dominating defenses every week. He wasn’t just productive—he was unstoppable. JSN defined Seattle’s offense and had one of the best receiving seasons in the history of the NFL.
Defensive Player of the Year
Winner: Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett is the Defensive Player of the Year, and there’s really no argument against it. He recorded 23 sacks, the most ever in a single season, accomplishing the feat in 17 games (*I have to note this because Michael Strahan, Jared Allen, among others, who had/tied/were close to the record, all played in a 16-game season then). That alone would justify the award.
But Garrett’s impact went beyond sacks. He changed game plans, forced double teams on nearly every snap, and consistently wrecked offenses. This was a dominant season from one of the best and most feared defenders the NFL has ever seen.
Protector of the Year
Winner: Dion Dawkins
The NFL’s newest award was always going to reward dominance in the trenches, and Dion Dawkins fits that description perfectly. As the anchor of the Buffalo Bills’ offensive line, Dawkins delivered another elite season, earning Pro Bowl honors while protecting his quarterback at a high level all year.
His consistency, durability, and leadership set the tone for Buffalo’s offense. The Bills’ ability to play exceptionally many weeks is partially due to Dawkins, making him a deserving first-time winner of Protector of the Year.
Coach of the Year
Winner: Mike Vrabel
Mike Vrabel is the clear Coach of the Year. In just one season, he transformed the New England Patriots from an inconsistent 4-win team into a 14-win juggernaut and the second seed in the AFC. That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen by accident.
Vrabel maximized his roster, helped unlock Drake Maye’s success, oversaw an offense powered by guys like Stefon Diggs and TreyVeyon Henderson, and consistently had New England prepared week after week. While coordinators deserve credit, the culture shift and discipline start at the top—and Vrabel delivered.
I have to say that Vrabel may not win this award, as it is possible that Ben Johnson of the Bears or Mike Macdonald of the Seattle Seahawks can win it instead. I believe it will go to Vrabel, as he is a more deserving winner.
Executive of the Year
Winner: John Schneider
Yes, another Seahawk—and for good reason. John Schneider’s roster construction is a massive reason Seattle sits atop the NFC conference. Moves like signing Sam Darnold and trading for Rashid Shaheed filled critical needs without mortgaging the future.
Seattle became the league’s most complete team. Schneider balanced aggressiveness with long-term vision, and if the Seahawks make a deep playoff run or win it all, this award will be his without question.
Comeback Player of the Year
Winner: Christian McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey’s comeback season was nothing short of spectacular. After an injury-riddled year that limited him to just two games, McCaffrey returned to form in 2025, proving once again he’s the most versatile running back in football.
He finished with 1,202 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, plus 102 receptions for 924 yards and 7 more scores. His ability to dominate both as a runner and receiver makes him invaluable, and no comeback story this season matched his impact or production.
Most Valuable Player
Winner: Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford is my pick for MVP, and Drake Maye is not included. At 37 years old, Stafford delivered the best statistical season of his career, leading my favorite team, the Los Angeles Rams, to elite status in a league that continues to get younger at the quarterback position. He finished the season with 4,892 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and just 9 interceptions in the regular season, still using his clutch gene to win games.
What truly separates Stafford from the rest of the MVP field is context. The Rams dealt with bad losses and a defense that completely collapsed towards the end of the season. Yet week after week, Stafford elevated everyone around him with elite arm talent, high-level processing, and complete command of Sean McVay’s offense. Without Stafford, the Rams aren’t the #5th seed in the NFC. They’re a lot worse, even though they have star power at every position.
Awards don’t define careers, but they do capture moments—and the 2025 season will be remembered as one of those years where greatness came in every form. Young stars announced their arrival, veterans silenced any doubts, and a handful of franchises reshaped their futures in real time.
Whether it was Tetairoa McMillan’s immediate impact, Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s historic dominance, Myles Garrett rewriting the record books, or Matthew Stafford proving that elite quarterback play can come from the older guys, this season reminded us why the NFL remains unmatched in drama and excellence.
Super Bowl Predictions
NFC and AFC Divisionals
Broncos over Bills
Patriots over Texans
Rams over Bears
Seahawks over 49ers
Championship Games
NFC: Seahawks over Rams
AFC: Patriots over Broncos
Super Bowl
Patriots over Seahawks
23-19
Super Bowl MVP: Drake Maye
Now the regular season debates are settled. The awards are handed out, the narratives are written, and the only thing left is the part that truly matters—January football, where predictions mean nothing and legacies are made.
I have the Patriots beating the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, changing my prediction of the Rams beating the Broncos (Bo Nix out for season with broken ankle, Rams unlikely to beat Seahawks, who recently dismantled their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers 41-6).
Let me know what you think! What are your predictions?
Great post and great insight Jack!
Stidham boutta go on his Nick Foles run trust