Reversing course According to an Associated Press poll, Christian McCaffrey is a finalist for both Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player.
McCaffrey, the focal point of the 49ers’ offense due to his prowess as a runner and receiver, was accompanied by quarterback Brock Purdy, an MVP candidate, and head coach Kyle Shanahan, a candidate for Coach of the Year.
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The 49ers, who are gearing up for Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, would, if their wishes are to be fulfilled, not be there when the awards are revealed on NFL Honors Night on February 8 in Las Vegas.
Lamar Jackson of Baltimore, who was the clear winner of the A.P. All-Pro team that was revealed on January 10, is the overwhelming favorite to win the MVP award. The A.P. honors are decided by the same national panel that selects the A.P. All-Pro squad. The All-Pro quarterback has been the MVP for the previous ten years, and Jackson was voted in 45 out of 50 times.
At the conclusion of the regular season, voting was completed.
Dak Prescott of Dallas and Josh Allen of Buffalo are the other quarterbacks who are contenders for MVP.
With all 50 votes, McCaffrey was a first-team All-Pro running back and would seem to have a far greater chance of winning offensive player of the year. From the first week of the season until the finish, he had the most yards (1,459 on 272 runs) and touchdowns (14) in the NFL. McCaffrey hauled in 67 catches as a receiver for 567 yards and seven touchdowns.
McCaffrey led the NFL in both touchdowns and yards from scrimmage with 2,023 yards. He was one of three players, including Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott and Jackson, to be a nominee for both MVP and OPOY.
Tyreek Hill of Miami and CeeDee Lamb of Dallas are two other wide receivers who are contenders for OPOY.
Shanahan is a finalist for Coach of the Year, along with Dan Campbell of Detroit, Jim Harbaugh of Baltimore, DeMeco Ryans of Dallas, Kevin Stefanski of Cleveland, and former 49ers assistant DeMeco Ryans.
Other award finalists include:
Defensive Player of the Year: Dallas, DE’s CB DeRon Bland Crosby, Maxx, Las Vegas, DE Cleveland’s Myles Garrett and Pittsburgh’s TJ. Watt and Dallas’ Micah Parsons are edge rushers.
Outstanding Assistant Coach: OC Ben Johnson, Washington, D.C. Mike MacDonald, OC, of Baltimore Todd Monken, Washington, DC Cleveland’s Jim Schwartz and OC Houston’s Bobby Slowik
Comeback Player of the Year: Matthew Stanford (L.A. Rams), Tua Tagovaiola (Miami), Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay), S Damar Hamlin (Buffalo)
RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit), TE Sam LaPorta (Detroit), WR Puka Nacua (L.A. Rams), RB Bijan Robinson (Atlanta), and QB C.J. Stroud (Houston) were the offensive rookies of the year.
DE is the defensive rookie of the year. Will Anderson (Texas), DT Jalen Carter (Philadelphia), Pittsburgh Steelers’ CB Joey Porter Jr., Los Angeles Rams’ DT Kobie Turner, and Seattle Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon
