PHOENIX — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes added more hardware to his trophy case days before Super Bowl 57.
Mahomes was named the 2022 NFL MVP at Thursday’s NFL Honors. It’s the second time the Chiefs quarterback has won the award, previously capturing it in 2018.
Mahomes earned the honor after pacing the league with 5,250 passing yards and 41 touchdowns in the regular season, the only quarterback to eclipse 5,000 passing yards and 40 touchdowns this year. His 308.8 passing yards per game was also an NFL-high. With Mahomes under center, the Chiefs led the NFL in total offense, passing and scoring during the regular season.
The Chiefs (14-3) won their seventh straight AFC West championship, tying for the second-longest streak in NFL history, and earned the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC playoffs.
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The 27-year-old quarterback was named a first-team All-Pro for the second time and received his fifth career Pro Bowl invitation this year.
This season was Mahomes’ fifth as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback, and he’s led the franchise to five straight home AFC championship games and three Super Bowl appearances, including Super Bowl 57 on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.
“He’s a straight warrior and we know that. He’s our leader and we follow behind him,” Chiefs tackle Orlando Brown said after the team’s AFC championship win. “He’s the best at what he does in the world.”
Mahomes is the 10th quarterback in NFL history with multiple MVP awards.
The Chiefs drafted Mahomes No. 10 overall in the 2017 NFL draft out of Texas Tech. He became the team’s full-time starter in 2018. Since 2018, Mahomes leads the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, registering a 64-16 career regular-season record.
“I want to thank God for giving me this platform and putting so many amazing people around me to help support this dream I’ve had since I was a little kid. Without Him, none of this would even be possible,” Mahomes said on video before thanking his family. “To the Chiefs organization, Clark Hunt, Brett Veach, Andy Reid, the staff and most of all my teammates, I would never be standing here today without y’all. Every day giving everything that we have together to go for the ultimate goal, the Super Bowl. Let’s continue to go for that dream this weekend.”
Offensive Player of the Year – Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson
Jefferson broke the Minnesota Vikings single season receiving record once occupied by Hall of Famer Randy Moss. The standout wide receiver compiled 128 catches, 1,809 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns. He led the NFL in both catches and receiving yards in 2022.
Defensive Player of the Year – San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa
Bosa was a key cog on the 49ers’ No. 1 ranked total defense and top scoring defense. He had a league-high 18.5 sacks this season. He was the first 49er to lead the NFL in sacks since the stat became official. He also produced 51 tackles and 19 tackles for loss.
“It feels amazing. Just entire lives work of grinding and ups and downs and you’re finally here,” Bosa said. “It’s time to look look back and enjoy it a little bit.”
Offensive Rookie of the Year – New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson
Wilson had 83 receptions and 1,103 receiving yards for New York this season, which were both Jets franchise records. The Ohio State product is the first Jets rookie to win the award since the merger.
“This means everything. It’s something that no one can ever take from me,” Wilson said. “Put in a lot of work to end up at this point and to see it come to fruition is awesome.”
Defensive Rookie of the Year – New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner
The No. 4 overall pick produced 75 tackles and two interceptions in his inaugural season. His 20 pass deflections led the NFL. He’s the fifth Jets player to win the award.
“I was more happy for Garrett (Wilson),” Gardner said after both Jets rookies walked away with awards. “It’s a true blessing.”
Comeback Player of the Year – Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith
Smith’s bounce-back year was rewarded on Thursday. Smith had career-highs in passing yards (4282) and touchdown passes (30). He also had a league best 69.8 completion percentage.
Smith’s career season earned him his first Pro Bowl invite.
Coach of the Year – New York Giants coach Brian Daboll
Daboll helped turn around the Giants in his first season in New York. He led the Giants to a 9-7-1 record and their first playoff appearance since 2016.
Daboll won Assistant Coach of the Year in 2020 when he was the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator. He is the first person to win both Coach of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year.
Assistant Coach of the Year – San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans
Ryans was in charge of the 49ers’ stingy defense. San Francisco had the NFL’s No. 1 ranked total defense and scoring defense with Ryans at the helm. His efforts leading the 49ers defense earned him a job as the Houston Texans head coach.
Man of the Year – Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott
Prescott is the fourth Cowboys player to receive the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, recognized as the NFL’s most prestigious honor. The award is given to an NFL player for outstanding community service and excellence on the field.
Prescott’s Faith Fight Finish foundation focuses on colon cancer research, mental health, suicide prevention, helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve and offers assistance to those facing life-challenging hardships.
