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NFL Honors: Saquon Barkley, Patrick Surtain II earn top awards

Thu Feb 6 9:51pm ET
Field Level Media

NEW ORLEANS -- Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was selected the Offensive Player of the Year at the 2025 NFL Honors ceremony at the Saenger Theatre on Thursday in front of a packed house of NFL stars, alumni and celebrities.

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II was chosen the Defensive Player of the Year.

Barkley was a phenomenon this season, rushing for a career-best (and league-leading) 2,005 regular-season yards. He is on the precipice of setting the record for total rushing yards (regular and postseason), sitting at 2,447 yards after a monstrous playoff run, just 30 yards shy of eclipsing the mark set by Terrell Davis in 1998.

Barkley joined the Eagles in the offseason after a six-year run with the New York Giants, where he totaled 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns. He has logged nearly half of that production in one season in Philadelphia, spearheading the Eagles' potent ground game during their push to a 14-3 record and a Super Bowl LIX appearance.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Barkley was named first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2024. He also earned several Rookie of the Year awards in 2018 before being tabbed the PFWA Offensive Player of the Year and winning the Bert Bell Award (top NFL player) in 2024.

Surtain, in his second season as a first-team All-Pro performer, is widely regarded as one of the premier cover cornerbacks in the league at the age of 24.

A four-year pro and three-time Pro Bowler, Surtain also was named the PFWA Defensive Player of the Year.

The only year Surtain wasn't a Pro Bowler was his rookie year, when he was named to the All-Rookie team while recording four interceptions. He matched that total in 2024, returning one of his four picks for a 100-yard touchdown.

With career 11 interceptions, two forced fumbles and 232 combined tackles, Surtain continues to gain accolades for his outstanding play.

Other awards to be handed out Thursday night included:

AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

AP Comeback Player of the Year: QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Salute to Service Award: TE George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

AP Defensive Rookie of the Year

Next Gen Stats Moment of the Year

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

NFL Inspire Change Tribute

FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year

--David Gladow, Field Level Media

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Player Notes
Saquon Barkley Feb 6 9:50pm ET
Saquon Barkley

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has been named the Offensive Player of the Year. This appeared to be a three-horse race between Lamar Jackson, Ja'Marr Chase, and Barkley. It's not too shocking to see Barkley winning the award after a historic season. Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards on 345 attempts with 13 touchdowns across 16 regular season games. Now, Barkley has a chance to finish his incredible season at the top with a Super Bowl victory. The expectation is that Barkley will be one of the first players off the boards in fantasy drafts next season.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Daniels Feb 6 9:30pm ET
Jayden Daniels

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday. This doesn't come as surprise given Daniels had one of the best seasons for a rookie QB. He threw for 3,568 passing yards with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 17 regular season games. He also got it done on the ground with 891 rushing yards and six additional scores with his legs. Daniels was a huge part of helping the Commanders make the postseason and the NFC title game. The 24-year-old should be in the MVP discussion for years to come.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Goedert Feb 6 9:20pm ET
Dallas Goedert

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session. This is now back-to-back full practices for Goedert ahead of this Sunday's Super Bowl. The expectation is that Goedert is going to be removed from the injury report following Friday's practice. He might still be a little banged up, but at this point in the season who is 100 percent healthy. There is no reason to believe that Goedert won't be a full-go for Sunday's big game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

From RotoBaller

Skyy Moore Feb 6 8:00pm ET
Skyy Moore

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore (abdomen), who remains on Injured Reserve, was listed as limited on Thursday in practice for the second straight day this week. Although the Chiefs opened Moore's practice window to come off IR recently, he has yet to put in a full practice and was listed as doubtful to play in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles at the end of last week. Moore is almost certainly going to have to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to have a realistic chance of coming off IR to be active on Sunday. There's no guarantee that Moore will even see any offensive snaps against the Eagles in the unlikely event that he's even active. The 24-year-old former second-round selection in 2022 out of Western Michigan had no catches on three targets in the six games he played in 2024 before landing on IR.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Feb 6 7:50pm ET
Patrick Mahomes

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (illness) was feeling better on Thursday and was listed as a full participant after he was limited on Wednesday. Carter hasn't been at either of the media availabilities for Super Bowl LIX this week because of his illness, although his return to a full practice on Thursday means he shouldn't have any problems playing this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was reported on Thursday that several other Eagles players are dealing with similar illnesses, but Carter is the only one that appears on the injury report because of it. Philly is going to need the 23-year-old's pass-rushing skills on Sunday to try and slow down quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Carter has been extremely productive in three playoff games this year, recording nine tackles (three solo), two sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Graham Feb 6 7:50pm ET
Brandon Graham

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Brandon Graham (elbow) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Since the Eagles opened Graham's practice window to be activated from Injured Reserve last week, he's only been able to put in limited practice sessions. However, he said earlier this week that he remains on track to return from IR to play in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs in what is expected to be the final game of his career. The 36-year-old had surgery in November to fix a torn triceps that he suffered in Week 12. Although Graham appears to be planning to play this Sunday, it remains to be seen if the Eagles will actually activate him from IR. If the veteran linebacker is active against KC, expect him to be on a limited snap count given all the time he's missed this year.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Gainwell Feb 6 6:30pm ET
Kenneth Gainwell

Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell (concussion, knee) upgraded to a full practice on Thursday after he was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Gainwell suffered a concussion in the NFC Championship win over the division-rival Washington Commanders and didn't practice at all last week, putting his status in doubt for the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 9, against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 25-year-old could still end up being questionable for the big game, but his return to a full practice on Thursday gives him a much greater chance of clearing the league's concussion protocol and being active on Sunday. He will still need clearance from an independent neurologist, but another full practice on Friday could get him there. Gainwell has only seven carries for 32 yards and three catches for 26 yards in three playoff games, so his role will remain small if he's able to play.

From RotoBaller

DeVonta Smith Feb 6 6:20pm ET
DeVonta Smith

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. After not practicing at all last week, Smith wasn't listed on last Friday's final injury report. It means that he will most likely practice in full on Friday and be cleared to play in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday versus the Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old pass-catcher has been extremely efficient in three postseason games this year, catching all 12 of his targets for 121 yards, although he didn't find the end zone in wins over the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Commanders. Smith did have four touchdowns in his final four regular-season games, though, so it wouldn't surprise anyone if he had a big game in the Super Bowl this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Bub Means Feb 6 6:00pm ET
Bub Means

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) said that he was cleared from his ankle injury in late January and is back to full speed as he prepares for his sophomore season in 2025. Means suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 8 and then had a setback that cost him the final nine games in the second half. The 24-year-old fifth-round pick (170th overall) caught nine of his 15 targets for 118 yards (13.1 yards per reception) and one touchdown in his seven games played (one start) in his first year in the NFL for the Saints. The Pittsburgh product emerged as an intriguing downfield threat for New Orleans in his rookie season and won't be hindered by his ankle this offseason as he prepares for what will hopefully be a bigger role in 2025. Means will most likely be a boom/bust receiver for fantasy purposes for a Saints team that still hasn't settled on a new head coach.

From RotoBaller

Michael Wiley Feb 6 6:00pm ET
Michael Wiley

The Washington Commanders announced on Thursday that they re-signed running back Michael Wiley to a Reserve/Futures deal. Wiley was an undrafted rookie out of the University of Arizona but eventually found his way onto the Commanders' practice squad during the 2024 season. The 24-year-old never got brought up to the active 53-man roster for a regular season game, though, and he will now look to continue his development this offseason in Washington before he makes his case for a roster spot in spring training this summer. Wiley stands at 5-foot-10 and 209 pounds and is a native of Houston, Texas.

From RotoBaller

Adam Thielen Feb 6 5:20pm ET
Adam Thielen

ESPN's David Newton reports that Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen plans to play in 2025. Thielen said at the end of the 2024 regular season that he was contemplating retirement, but after hinting toward a return recently, it appears that he will indeed return to the team next season. The 34-year-old veteran pass-catcher has one year left on the three-year, $25 million contract he signed with Carolina before the 2023 campaign. The two-time Pro Bowler had the third 1,000-yard receiving season of his career in his first year with the Panthers but regressed to 615 receiving yards and 48 receptions in 2024, although he also played in a career-low-tying 10 games due to a hamstring injury. Thielen won't be an upside target in fantasy, but his chemistry with young quarterback Bryce Young should not be discounted as a flex option in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Sean McDermott Feb 6 2:30pm ET
Sean McDermott

Former Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is expected to join the Buffalo Bills coaching staff as a senior defensive assistant, according to Bruce Feldman of the Athletic. Nielsen spent the 2017 through 2022 seasons with the New Orleans Saints in various roles before running the Atlanta defense in 2023 and the Jacksonville defense in 2024. Both of his head coaches were fired after his lone season with the respective teams, so he's now set to join Sean McDermott in Buffalo. The Jaguars surrendered the sixth-most points per game in 2024 (25.6).

From RotoBaller

Leonard Williams Feb 6 2:20pm ET
Leonard Williams

The Seattle Seahawks and defensive lineman Leonard Williams have agreed to a restructured contract, according to team beat writer Corbin K. Smith. Seattle is converting $18.745 million of his salary into a bonus and adding two void years to the end of his deal. By doing this, Seattle drops his cap hit for 2025 by nearly $15 million. However, his cap hit will now jump to $29.6 million in 2026, and the Seahawks will carry $9.372 million in dead money in 2027 if he is not extended before the void years kick in. Williams, who was traded from the New York Giants during the 2023 campaign, registered 64 total tackles, 11 sacks, and a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown in 16 games in 2024 for Seattle.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Feb 6 12:30pm ET
Tee Higgins

During an interview on The Pat McAfee Show during Super Bowl week in New Orleans, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson indicated that either a new deal or a trade are the only viable options for him moving forward. Hendrickson is heading into the final year of his deal in 2025 after leading the NFL in sacks (17.5), which earned him an All-Pro selection. This really isn't nothing new, as the 30-year-old star pass-rusher stated his desire for a new contract last year after a failed trade request. He also had 17.5 sacks in 2023. All four of Hendrickson's seasons in Cincy have resulted in Pro Bowl appearances, but he currently ranks 11th in annual salary among edge rushers. The Bengals have said that Hendrickson is a priority this offseason, but they will also be negotiating a bit-time contract extension for receiver Ja'Marr Chase and could be looking to re-sign receiver Tee Higgins as well.

From RotoBaller

Trevor Lawrence Feb 6 12:20pm ET
Trevor Lawrence

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars plan to hire former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, likely as their passing-game coordinator, according to sources. Waldron coached with new Jaguars head coach and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen with the Los Angeles Rams from 2018-20. Before serving as the Bears' offensive coordinator last season, Waldron served as the Seattle Seahawks' offensive coordinator from 2021-23. He didn't make it through a full season in Chicago and was fired after just nine games. With the Rams, Waldron served as tight ends coach, pass-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2017-20. In Jacksonville, Waldron will work closely with first-time offensive coordinator Grant Udinski to hopefully help quarterback Trevor Lawrence bounce back in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Feb 6 12:10pm ET
Joe Burrow

Speaking on Breakfast Ball, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said he believes in the organization and that the Bengals have the salary cap space to retain core players like receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins (impending free agent), defensive end Trey Hendrickson and tight end Mike Gesicki (impending free agent). Burrow added that he's motivated to keep the core of the team together and that he'd be willing to restructure his contract in order to make that happen. Although the Bengals couldn't overcome a dreadful start in 2024 to make the postseason, Burrow led the NFL in pass attempts (652), completions (460), passing yards (4,918), touchdown passes (43) and passing yards per game (289.3) in 17 games. Even without the elite rushing ability of QBs like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, Burrow finished as the QB2 in overall fantasy points and will be a top-five QB in drafts this fall.

From RotoBaller

Rashee Rice Feb 6 9:23am ET
Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice (knee) is making good progress in his recovery from knee surgery, according to head coach Andy Reid.

Jalen Carter Feb 6 9:23am ET
Jalen Carter

Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter (illness) missed his media availability on Wednesday due to an illness, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Philadelphia has yet to release a practice report for Wednesday, so it remains to be seen if he took part in the first official session of the week. Needless to say, it would take a lot for a player to miss the Super Bowl, so it would be a shocking development if he wasn't ready to suit up against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The 23-year-old made his first Pro Bowl roster and earned a second-team All-Pro nod in just his second NFL season this year and will be a major factor in whether the Eagles can limit Patrick Mahomes by providing pressure against the Chiefs' stout interior offensive line.

Dante Fowler Feb 5 11:33pm ET
Dante Fowler

Washington Commanders LB Dante Fowler led the Commanders with 10.5 sacks in 2024, and he ranked fourth in the NFL in sack rate among players with at least 200 snaps.

From TheHuddle

Ray-Ray McCloud Feb 5 11:23pm ET
Ray-Ray McCloud

Atlanta Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud had a career-high 62 catches for 686 yards in 2024 after recording 90 catches for 768 yards in his first six seasons combined.

From TheHuddle