Aaron Schatz Reveals 2025 NFL Awards Ballot
Aaron Schatz, a seasoned Associated Press voter, recently shared his ballot for the 2025 NFL Awards. This marks his sixth year participating in the voting for both the All-Pro team and end-of-season honors. His awards considerations reflect performances up to the end of the regular season, excluding postseason contributions.
Key NFL Award Votes for 2025
Schatz’s selection process involves ranking five players or coaches for each award, assigning points as follows: 10 for first, 5 for second, and 3, 2, and 1 for the remaining positions. Below are the highlights of his 2025 ballot.
Most Valuable Player
- Drake Maye, Patriots
- Matthew Stafford, Rams
- Jordan Love, Packers
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys
- Josh Allen, Bills
Schatz believes the MVP should predominantly recognize quarterbacks. He justified his choice of Maye over Stafford, emphasizing the differing contexts in which each player operated. Both Love and Prescott excelled in advanced metrics; Prescott’s performance was noteworthy despite challenges from a struggling defense.
Offensive Player of the Year
- Puka Nacua, Rams
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons
- George Pickens, Cowboys
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts
The race between Nacua and Smith-Njigba was tight. Nacua’s record-setting DYAR value, combined with his performance as a versatile player, helped him secure the award. Schatz addressed Nacua’s previous controversial remark, reiterating the focus should remain on athletic performance rather than personal views.
Defensive Player of the Year
- Myles Garrett, Browns
- Micah Parsons, Packers
- Derwin James Jr., Chargers
- Will Anderson Jr., Texans
- Kyle Hamilton, Ravens
Myles Garrett emerged as a standout choice for this category, backed by impressive metrics from the season.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers
- Grey Zabel, Seahawks
- Tyler Booker, Cowboys
- Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers
- Colston Loveland, Bears
McMillan’s exceptional performance as a rookie solidified his top position. Noteworthy mentions from various positions contributed to this competitive field.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Carson Schwesinger, Browns
- Xavier Watts, Falcons
- James Pearce Jr., Falcons
- Jonas Sanker, Saints
- Nick Emmanwori, Seahawks
Schwesinger distinguished himself as the leading candidate in this category, showcasing impressive defensive skills.
Coach of the Year
- Mike Macdonald, Seahawks
- Sean McVay, Rams
- Kyle Shanahan, 49ers
- Ben Johnson, Bears
- Mike Vrabel, Patriots
The Coach of the Year selection proved challenging, with Schatz acknowledging the impressive achievements of several coaches. Macdonald’s leadership was a key factor in the Seahawks’ success this season.
Assistant Coach of the Year
- Brian Flores, Vikings defense
- Chris Shula, Rams defense
- Klint Kubiak, Seahawks offense
- Anthony Campanile, Jaguars defense
- Chris Banjo, Jets special teams
Behind strong performances, Flores took the top spot for his defensive schemes with the Vikings.
Comeback Player of the Year
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
- Aidan Hutchinson, Lions
- Stefon Diggs, Patriots
Prescott’s season exemplified resilience, earning him recognition in the comeback category.
This detailed breakdown showcases the depth of talent and coaching in the NFL, highlighting notable performances leading up to the 2025 NFL Awards. For further updates on NFL festivities and insights, visit Filmogaz.com.
