Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell and quarterback Jared Goff left the NFL Honors show without any awards this year. Campbell, who had coached the Lions to their best season in over three decades, was a finalist for Coach of the Year but came up short to Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. Campbell finished second in voting.
Also in the running were Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who will be coaching in Super Bowl 59 this Sunday. This marks Campbell’s second consecutive year as a finalist without winning.
While all finalists had impressive seasons, some argue Campbell was unfairly overlooked. Losing to O’Connell raises questions, especially considering the Lions defeated the Vikings twice. Detroit ended the regular season with a franchise-best 15-2 record and became the fourth-highest-scoring offense in NFL history, breaking several team and season records.
Despite significant defensive injuries, including the loss of key players like Aidan Hutchinson and Alex Anzalone, the Lions’ defense still made key plays, including producing the league’s top interception leader in Kerby Joseph. Leading the Lions to the NFC’s top seed and a second consecutive division title strengthens Campbell’s case for the award.
However, it was O’Connell, who led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, that won Coach of the Year.
O’Connell navigated early season struggles, including the loss of rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy and starting offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw. O’Connell also played a key role in the resurgence of quarterback Sam Darnold, who finished fifth in passing yards (4,319) and passing touchdowns (35).
In MVP voting, Jared Goff, who was a finalist, also came up short, with Buffalo’s Josh Allen winning the honor for the first time in his career.
Goff placed fifth. He finished second in passing yards (4,629), first in completion percentage among quarterbacks who played all 17 games (72.4%), fourth in touchdowns (37), and second in passer rating among those quarterbacks (111.8%).
Despite his impressive statistics, a Week 10 performance against the Houston Texans, where Goff threw for 240 yards, two touchdowns, but also five interceptions, was held against him.
After that game, Goff rebounded with 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions over the final eight games, completing about 73% of his passes. This season marked his highest finish in MVP voting in his nine-year career.