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New Orleans Saints standouts like LT Terron Armstead and rookie WR Marquez Callaway earned serious props for their play in the 2020 season.
The New Orleans Saints are gearing up for their Wild-Card Round kickoff against the Chicago Bears, but with the 2020 season in rearview there’s time to consider some team awards. Who earned Most Valuable Player? Which new pro is the Saints’ Rookie of the Year? Who deserves recognition as the Breakout Player of the Year, as well as the Most-Improved and Comeback Players of the Year?
Here are my picks for each of those honors:
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf is busy making the case for his quarterback Russell Wilson as this year’s Most Valuable Player.
The Seattle Seahawks beat the Miami Dolphins 31-23 on Sunday to move to 4-0 on the season. A majority of the thanks should go to Russell Wilson, and wide receiver DK Metcalf is going to make sure his QB gets the respect he deserves.
“I mean, just look at his stats,” Metcalf told reporters after the win. “He’s thrown for 300-plus yards [in three games]. He has a boatload of touchdowns. Only threw two picks. I’m sorry for one of them that he threw today. I mean, his stats speak for themselves. He’s a great leader, a great role model.”
Metcalf wasn’t too shabby himself on Sunday, logging four receptions for 106 yards on six targets. He’s now making the push for Wilson as this year’s Most Valuable Player.
“Any fourth-quarter comeback, when he’s our quarterback, there’s not a doubt that we’re going to win,” Metcalf continued. “I mean, just look at his track record. It’s going to speak for itself, so I’m putting out Russ for MVP this year.”
Metcalf will help Wilson continue his campaign for MVP next Sunday night at home against the Vikings.
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Will quarterback Russell Wilson be the Seattle Seahawks 2020 MVP or will this be the year he finally earns the top spot around the league?
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson continues to have something to prove and he seems poised to make his case this season.
Around the NFL writer, Dan Hanzus, recently took a look at all 32 teams around the league in an effort to predict each club’s Most Valuable Player for 2020.
Russell Wilson was his easy choice for Seattle.
“OK, Wilson is already demonstrably great – he’s a Super Bowl-winning quarterback on a collision course with Canton,” Hanzus writes. “But it feels almost immoral that Schottenheimer’s run-obsessed offense created a reality where Russell Wilson threw the same number of passes as Mitch Trubisky last season. (They tied for 12th amongst QBs with 516 attempts … and Wilson played one more game!) Go back to 2018, and Wilson finished 20th in passing attempts. Egads.”
Predicting each NFC team's MVP in 2020: Leighton Vander Esch defines Dallas (via @DanHanzus)https://t.co/XivLuDCNlc pic.twitter.com/FVsdLJEcSr
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 21, 2020
“In Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, Wilson has star-quality weapons to light it up on Sundays,” Hanzus continues. “He’ll put up stellar numbers worthy of league MVP consideration even if Seattle stays the course on offense. But just imagine if Pete Carroll ever let him chuck it around the yard at the rate of his fellow superstar passers.”
Wilson likely has loftier goals than just Seattle’s MVP . . . he’ll be playing for the top spot in the league in 2020.
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NFL writer Adam Rank took a look at the state of the Seattle Seahawks franchise and thinks they must make the Super Bowl in the 2020 season.
Every team wants to get to the Super Bowl each year but some teams are more poised to make a legitimate run at the Lombardy Trophy than others.
NFL.com writer Adam Rank just published his “State of the Franchise” piece on the Seattle Seahawks, looking back at 2019 and ahead to 2020. One question he asked in the series is . . . for 2020 to be a successful season, the Seahawks must . . .?
“Make the Super Bowl? Yes, make the Super Bowl! You really don’t want to pin a Super Bowl or bust label on the Seahawks,” Rank writes. “But they would be one of the few teams in the NFL where, if they don’t make it to the game’s biggest stage, it has to seem like a bitter disappointment. Russell Wilson is the best quarterback in the NFC, having established himself as an annual MVP candidate in recent years (whether people realize it or not). Bailing out in the Divisional Round is getting old.”
With an MVP candidate at QB, a superstar in the middle of the defense and one of the game's best coaches, it's Super Bowl or bust for the Seahawks in 2020 (via @adamrank)https://t.co/8eCZM9A7Ip pic.twitter.com/VYwXfGZLOv
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) May 28, 2020
“And why stop at Championship Sunday? Rank continues. “Just last season, Seattle beat the 49ers, Rams and Eagles – the NFC’s last three Super Bowl reps. It’s time for Russ, Bobby and Pete to return to the promised land.”
Rank’s entire “State of the Franchise” was a fun piece to read – you can find the whole article here.
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Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer believes he knows the reason quarterback Russell Wilson remains underrated.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will continue his campaign for this year’s Most Valuable Player despite constantly being overlooked for the honor.
Seahawks’ offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer recently explained why he thinks Wilson continues to be underrated around the league.
“Unless you truly love the Seahawks and watch the Seahawks, I think what he does just comes so naturally and easy that people underestimate him,” Schottenheimer told CBS Sports’ Will Brinson on the Pick Six Podcast. “I know one thing, I’m thrilled and excited about 2020 because I think the chatter about the MVP votes will motivate him. He is ready to work. He’s always ready to work, but he’s the wrong guy to doubt. He’s the wrong guy to say, ‘Nah, he can’t do that.’
“He will carry a grudge and he will work his ass off to make it go.”
📫Mailbag Monday📭
🎙️@WillBrinson @ryanwilsonCBS @johnbreech @seanjwagner
Plus @CoachSchotty on…
-Seahawks' Zoom meetings
-More ripped: Metcalf or Carroll?
-Russell Wilson's 'chip'👇Listenhttps://t.co/TMimmORfyW
— Pick Six Podcast (@picksixpod) May 25, 2020
And maybe all the chatter about who throws the best and worst deep ball in the NFL could provide the right challenge.
“It’s not a big secret that Russell Wilson’s an unbelievable deep-ball thrower,” Schottenheimer explained. “Again, I’ve been blessed to be around some great ones and he’s at the top of the list of guys that have that innate ability to add a little bit of air whenever he needs to or kind of take something off it when he needs to fit a ball in deep. He’s terrific at that.”
You can listen to the entire interview on the Pick Six Podcast below.
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Despite his impressive career, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has yet to receive recognition as the NFL’s most valuable player.
The Seattle Seahawks added a few new weapons this offseason to quarterback Russell Wilson’s arsenal via free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft. So will this finally be the year he will be recognized as the league’s Most Valuable Player?
NFL.com writer Adam Rank recently put together a piece highlighting one player from each NFL team to root for this season. His pick for the Seahawks is not a rookie or a new team member, it’s not even running back, Marshawn Lynch. Rank names Seattle’s signal-caller as the one he’ll love to watch in 2020.
“I know it seems weird that I would pick one of the most popular players in the NFL for this list. I get that,” Rank writes. “That said, Wilson is one of the most underappreciated players of his era. Most people would agree that he’s one of the most valuable players in the league. The Seahawks have struggled on the offensive line for what seems like years and it’s Wilson who has carried them. And yet, he’s never received a single MVP vote. Not one.”
Wilson has been steady throughout his career despite the many changes around him on the roster. Perhaps 2020 is finally the year Wilson gets the recognition he deserves.
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A look at the complete list of NFL Honors awards winners following the 2019 season.
The night before the Super Bowl, the league announced the biggest awards of the year during the annual NFL Honors show.
Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson walked away with the coveted Most Valuable Player award by unanimous decision.
While Russell Wilson didn’t receive a single vote for the honor, Seattle’s wide receivers did get the nod for the Bud Light Celly of the Year for their “Bye Bye Bye” celebration dance.
Your #NFLHonors winners: 🏆 pic.twitter.com/w5IyYemyl9
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 2, 2020
Pepsi Rookie of the Year: San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa
FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Year: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (Air), Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (Ground)
Salute To Service Award Presented by USAA: Former Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray
AP Offensive Player of the Year: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas
Anything But Ordinary Player of the Year presented by Microsoft Surface: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020: Safety Steve Atwater, wide receiver Isaac Bruce, guard Steve Hutchinson, running back Edgerrin James and safety Troy Polamalu
Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award: Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson
AP Comeback Player of the Year: Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman
Bridgestone Clutch Performance Play of the Year: Miami Dolphins’ “Mountaineer Shot”
Deacon Jones Award: Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Shaquil Barrett
Bud Light Celly of the Year: Seattle Seahawks wide receiving corps for NSYNC “Bye Bye Bye” celebration dance
Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award: Matt Land, Dalton High School
Courtyard Unstoppable Performance of the Year: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes vs. Raiders Week 2
AP Coach of the Year: Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh
Daily Fantasy Player of the Year presented by Draft Kings: Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey
AP Most Valuable Player: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide: Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson received no MVP votes as all 50 of them went to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Before Super Bowl LIV, the NFL end-of-season awards were announced during the NFL Honors show. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson received all 50 votes for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, becoming only the second unanimous MVP in NFL history, joining Tom Brady after his 2010-11 campaign.
This means that Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson did not receive a single vote for MVP. Wilson had a solid season, throwing for 4,110 yards, 31 touchdowns, five interceptions and a passer rating of 106.3. However, Jackson did things that were unprecedented in the NFL, breaking numerous all-time records. He led the league in touchdown passes with 36 and most notably set the NFL record for most rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,206.
Lamar Jackson is just the second unanimous MVP ever. (Tom Brady, 2010) https://t.co/yX5GpZzPXD
— NFL (@NFL) February 1, 2020
Some would argue that the Seahawks would have struggled immensely throughout the 2019 season without Wilson, while Jackson had 11 Pro Bowlers beside him in Baltimore. However, Jackson took the NFL by storm and Wilson had a four-game stretch where he threw an interception per game which likely contributed to his ousting from the MVP race by year’s end.
Wilson had one of his best seasons in the prime of his career, but the NFL MVP award still eludes him. However, Wilson prioritizes winning above all else, and he will continue to do so heading into the 2020 season.
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The NFL Honors – the league’s annual awards show – will take place this Saturday, Feb. 1, the night before the Superbowl.
The NFL Honors – the league’s annual awards show – will take place this Saturday, Feb. 1, the night before the Superbowl.
The two-hour special will be taped earlier in the day at the Adrienne Arsht Center in downtown Miami and will air at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.
Highlights from the show will include the introduction of the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class and The Associated Press’ annual awards presentation.
AP Most Valuable Player presented by Pizza Hut
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide
AP Coach of the Year
AP Comeback Player of the Year presented by Castrol EDGE
AP Offensive Player of the Year
AP Defensive Player of the Year
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year presented by Oakley
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
Bridgestone Clutch Performance Play of the Year
FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year
Salute To Service Award presented by USAA
Courtyard Unstoppable Performance of the Year
Deacon Jones Award
Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
Don Shula High School Coach of the Year
AP Assistant Coach of the Year
Game Changer Award
Anything But Ordinary Player of the Year presented by Microsoft Surface
Bud Light Celly of the Year
Daily Fantasy Player of the Year presented by DraftKings
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson had the highest WAR in the NFL last year, according to Pro Football Focus’ new metric.
While the NFL has yet to release its award winners, Pro Football Focus has already crowned their MVP – Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
PFF recently created a WAR (wins above replacement) metric, which allows comparison between all players and determines who was the most valuable to their team.
Wilson was the 2019 WAR leader in a landslide, accruing a WAR of 4.08 – making him roughly four wins better than a replacement-level quarterback.
Patrick Mahomes finished second with a WAR of 2.96, followed by Dak Prescott (2.40) Aaron Rodgers (2.38) and Lamar Jackson (2.29).
Wilson had the highest grade (91.2) of any quarterback in the league as well, and of course, finished with an excellent 31-to-five touchdown-to-interception ratio while leading the Seahawks to an 11-5 record.
While most believe the MVP award will go to Jackson, PFF explains why their calculations paint Wilson as the far more valuable player.
“While Jackson had an entire offense built around his strengths and had a coaching staff that embraced analytics to extend drives and steal fine winning margins, Wilson was dealing with a situation that consistently put him behind the eight ball then asked him to dig the team out of a hole,” PFF writer Sam Monson wrote. “The fact that he was able to do just that as consistently as he did only stands testament to his MVP-caliber season.”
The NFL will announce the MVP winner on February 1.
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