2024 AP NFL MVP Award finalists unveiled: Saquon Barkley, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen among elite contenders

The finalists for the eight AP NFL awards have been revealed, and they highlight the best performers in various categories from the 2024 season. In the AP NFL MVP race, the finalists include standout players like Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of the finalists for the eight AP NFL awards.
For AP NFL Coach of the Year, the finalists include Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions, who has helped lead a remarkable turnaround in Detroit, and Brian Daboll of the New York Giants, who turned a rebuilding team into playoff contenders. Other notable finalists are Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins, Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles, and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens, all of whom have guided their teams to successful seasons.

In the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year category, the finalists include Josh Allen again, along with Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins, who has been a game-changing wide receiver. Saquon Barkley is once again a finalist, showcasing his all-around offensive talent, and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, who has been a standout quarterback, is also in the running. Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, always a strong contender, completes the list of finalists, highlighting his elite quarterback play.
The AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalists feature some of the league’s top defensive talents. Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys and Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams are perennial names in this conversation. T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers, and Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns round out the list, all having had dominant seasons on the defensive side of the ball.
For AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, the finalists include several talented newcomers. Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers, Breece Hall of the New York Jets, and Kenneth Gainwell of the Philadelphia Eagles have all impressed in their first seasons. Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons and Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets are also among the finalists, each making a significant impact in their rookie campaigns.
The AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year category sees standout young players such as Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions and Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets, both of whom had stellar seasons. Travon Walker of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tariq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks, and Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants round out the finalists, all making their mark in their first seasons as professional players.

For the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year, the finalists include Saquon Barkley once again, who bounced back from injuries to have a spectacular season. DeMar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, who made an inspiring return to football after his life-threatening incident last season, is another finalist. Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers, who overcame his injury woes to return to elite form, and Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders, along with Jameis Winston of the New Orleans Saints, are also in the running for the award.
Finally, the AP NFL Executive of the Year finalists recognize top front-office figures. Howie Roseman of the Philadelphia Eagles, John Schneider of the Seattle Seahawks, Les Snead of the Los Angeles Rams, Brett Veach of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Steve Keim of the Arizona Cardinals are all being considered for their excellent work in shaping their teams through draft picks, trades, and other moves that contributed to their success.
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These finalists represent the cream of the crop in the NFL, and the winners of these prestigious awards will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony. Each of these individuals and players has had a significant impact on their teams, making the upcoming announcement highly anticipated.