Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award explained

AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award
Givenfor:Offensive player of the year in the National Football League
Presenter:Associated Press
First:1972
Mostwins:Earl Campbell, Marshall Faulk (3 each)
Mostrecent:Christian McCaffrey

The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award (OPOY) is given annually by the Associated Press (AP) to the offensive player in the National Football League (NFL) deemed to have had the most outstanding season. The winner is chosen by votes from a nationwide panel of sportswriters who regularly follow the NFL. Multiple-time awardees include Marshall Faulk and Earl Campbell, both of whom won the award three times, each consecutively. Jerry Rice, Barry Sanders, Tom Brady, Terrell Davis, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning have each won the award twice. Campbell is the only player to win the award as a rookie, doing so in 1978. Warren Moon and Priest Holmes are the only undrafted players to win the award. The award is currently held by running back Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers, who received it for the 2023 NFL season after being just the third player in NFL history to post more than 2000 scrimmage yards in a season for two different franchises.

Every winner of the award has been either a running back or a quarterback, with the exception of wide receivers Jerry Rice, Michael Thomas, Cooper Kupp, and Justin Jefferson [1] Running backs have been awarded 26 times, followed by quarterbacks, with 20 awards. Of the 49 winners, 28 were also named the AP NFL Most Valuable Player in the same season. Since 2011, both awards have been given out at the annual NFL Honors ceremony along with other AP awards, including the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and AP NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards.[2]

Players are often awarded after record-breaking or near-record-breaking offensive seasons. Running back O. J. Simpson won the award for 1973 after rushing for a record 2,003 yards, becoming the first NFL player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. When his record was broken by Eric Dickerson in 1984, Dickerson placed second in voting behind quarterback Dan Marino, who that year was the first to pass for 5,000 yards in a season. Marino's 5,084 yards stood as the record for 27 years before being broken by Drew Brees in 2011, who won that season's award. In turn, 2013 winner Peyton Manning set league single-season records for passing yards (5,477) and passing touchdowns (55).

Winners

SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
1972Running backWashington Redskins[3]
1973Buffalo Bills[4]
1974QuarterbackOakland Raiders[5]
1975Minnesota Vikings[6]
1976Baltimore Colts[7]
1977Running backChicago Bears[8]
1978Houston Oilers[9]
1979Houston Oilers[10]
1980Houston Oilers[11]
1981QuarterbackCincinnati Bengals[12]
1982San Diego Chargers[13]
1983Washington Redskins[14]
1984Miami Dolphins[15]
1985Running backLos Angeles Raiders[16]
1986Los Angeles Rams[17]
1987Wide receiverSan Francisco 49ers[18]
1988Running backSan Francisco 49ers[19]
1989QuarterbackSan Francisco 49ers
1990Houston Oilers[20]
1991Running backBuffalo Bills[21]
1992QuarterbackSan Francisco 49ers[22]
1993Wide receiverSan Francisco 49ers[23]
1994Running backDetroit Lions[24]
1995QuarterbackGreen Bay Packers[25]
1996Running backDenver Broncos[26]
1997Detroit Lions[27]
1998Denver Broncos[28]
1999St. Louis Rams[29]
2000St. Louis Rams[30]
2001St. Louis Rams[31]
2002Kansas City Chiefs[32]
2003Baltimore Ravens[33]
2004QuarterbackIndianapolis Colts[34]
2005Running backSeattle Seahawks[35]
2006San Diego Chargers[36]
2007QuarterbackNew England Patriots[37]
2008New Orleans Saints[38]
2009Running backTennessee Titans[39]
2010QuarterbackNew England Patriots[40]
2011New Orleans Saints[41]
2012Running backMinnesota Vikings[42]
2013QuarterbackDenver Broncos[43]
2014Running backDallas Cowboys[44]
2015QuarterbackCarolina Panthers[45]
2016Atlanta Falcons[46]
2017Running backLos Angeles Rams[47]
2018QuarterbackKansas City Chiefs[48]
2019Wide receiverNew Orleans Saints[49]
2020Running backTennessee Titans[50]
2021Wide receiverLos Angeles Rams[51]
2022Minnesota Vikings[52]
2023Running backSan Francisco 49ers[53]

Multiple-time winners

PlayerAwardsPositionTeamSeasons
Earl Campbell3Running backHouston Oilers1978, 1979, 1980
Marshall Faulk3Running backSt. Louis Rams1999, 2000, 2001
Jerry Rice2Wide receiverSan Francisco 49ers1987, 1993
Barry Sanders2Running backDetroit Lions1994, 1997
Terrell Davis2Running backDenver Broncos1996, 1998
Tom Brady2QuarterbackNew England Patriots2007, 2010
Drew Brees2QuarterbackNew Orleans Saints2008, 2011
Peyton Manning2QuarterbackIndianapolis Colts
Denver Broncos		2004, 2013

See also

References

General
Footnotes

Notes and References

  1. News: Hope. Dan. Ranking the Top 25 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Candidates. May 26, 2017. Bleacher Report. July 7, 2013. The award is typically given to the league's most productive quarterback or running back. Of the 41 times it has been given, it's been won 39 times by either a quarterback or running back. The exception is San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, who won the award in both 1987 and 1993. .
  2. Web site: First-ever 'NFL Honors' show will be hosted by Baldwin in Indy. NFL.com. National Football League. July 10, 2016. January 3, 2012. June 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200620192936/https://www.nfl.com/news/first-ever-nfl-honors-show-will-be-hosted-by-baldwin-in-indy-09000d5d825af687. live.
  3. News: Top NFL Offensive Player: Larry Brown Doesn't Like Comparisons With Others. July 5, 2016. Observer-Reporter. Associated Press. January 5, 1973. B-4. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225171231/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19730105&id=AshdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eF4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=3593,766083&hl=en. live.
  4. News: Simpson Offensive Winner. July 5, 2016. Kentucky New Era. Associated Press. January 4, 1974. 11. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225160407/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=266&dat=19740102&id=FO4rAAAAIBAJ&sjid=42gFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2699,288542&hl=en. live.
  5. News: Ken Stabler Named NFL's Offensive Player Of Year. July 5, 2016. Sarasota Herald Tribune. Associated Press. January 8, 1975. 1C. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225081612/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19750108&id=IrEqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8WYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1608,3045057&hl=en. live.
  6. News: Tarkenton Honored. July 5, 2016. The Vic jotos de mierda toria Advocate. Associated Press. January 13, 1976. 2B. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225172220/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19760113&id=ShRZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YEYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2581,1990027&hl=en. live.
  7. News: Offensive Award to Bert Jones. July 5, 2016. The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. December 30, 1976. 1B. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225044306/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19761230&id=YAJaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FUsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=7016,6587720&hl=en. live.
  8. News: Chicago's Payton Picked Offensive Player Of Year. July 5, 2016. Herald-Journal. Associated Press. January 5, 1978. C3. February 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210228130938/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19780103&id=0DMsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=48sEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6802,1025991&hl=en. live.
  9. News: Campbell Wins Offensive Title. July 5, 2016. Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. January 12, 1979. 6B. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225055346/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19790112&id=6QIpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C9MEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1765,4772971&hl=en. live.
  10. News: Campbell Walks With Second Offensive Title. July 5, 2016. The Virgin Islands Daily News. Associated Press. December 24, 1979. 33. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225211453/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=757&dat=19791222&id=TzZkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vkYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3805,4172533&hl=en. live.
  11. News: Olderman. Murray. Earl Campbell: a triple champ. July 5, 2016. The Nevada Daily Mail. Newspaper Enterprise Association. January 18, 1981. 10. February 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226200321/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1908&dat=19810116&id=pswhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YJ4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1959,1569350&hl=en. live.
  12. News: Anderson is top offensive player. July 6, 2016. The Telegraph. Associated Press. January 8, 1982. 18. February 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226013948/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19820108&id=JqMrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oPwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5044,1268363&hl=en. live.
  13. News: Fouts Tops On Offense. July 6, 2016. Toledo Blade. Associated Press. January 7, 1983. 18. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225180435/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19830107&id=8E5PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tQIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5565,1922683&hl=en. live.
  14. News: Lowitt. Bruce. Theismann crowned as top offensive player. July 6, 2016. Daily News. Associated Press. December 23, 1983. 3B. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225225614/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1696&dat=19831222&id=__gaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SUcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6701,5060607&hl=en. live.
  15. News: Record-breaking Marino wins top offensive honor. July 6, 2016. Gadsden Times. Associated Press. December 19, 1984. D2. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225165607/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19841217&id=9rYfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lNcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1360,5095380&hl=en. live.
  16. News: Nadel. John. Allen sweeps offensive honors. July 6, 2016. The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. December 30, 1983. 5. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225205607/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19851230&id=olUQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cIsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2254,4888561&hl=en. live.
  17. News: Dickerson earns offensive honor. July 6, 2016. The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. December 30, 1986. 10. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225113222/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19861230&id=LuBLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UosDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3047,5201856&hl=en. live.
  18. News: Rice is Offensive Player of the year. July 6, 2016. The Evening News. Associated Press. December 30, 1987. 2B. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225014602/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1982&dat=19871230&id=XUlRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kTMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3788,3387210&hl=en. live.
  19. News: Wilner. Barry. Craig earns offensive award. July 6, 2016. The Times-News. Associated Press. December 29, 1988. 20. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224193749/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19881229&id=mj5PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TyQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4854,6159216&hl=en. live.
  20. News: Moon top offensive player. July 6, 2016. Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. January 10, 1991. 11. February 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227010242/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19910110&id=9LBJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yw4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2734,2733460&hl=en. live.
  21. News: No more doubting Thomas: Bills' back selected as Offensive Player of Year. July 6, 2016. The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. December 30, 1991. B1. January 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200124231837/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19911230&id=p2tIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RFYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3683,6396366&hl=en. live.
  22. News: Young named Offensive Player of the Year. July 6, 2016. The Times-News. Associated Press. January 5, 1993. 1B. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224160839/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19930105&id=3DIaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VyUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3705,1139572&hl=en. live.
  23. News: Wilner. Barry. Rice Offensive Player of the Year. July 6, 2016. Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. January 6, 1994. 1B. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225001240/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19940106&id=tcFPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7AcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2296,3451098&hl=en. live.
  24. News: Sanders are players of the year. July 6, 2016. The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. December 29, 1994. 3C. March 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210303222320/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19941229&id=cjUdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nKUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4191,4099759&hl=en. live.
  25. News: Favre voted best on offense. July 6, 2016. The News. Associated Press. December 30, 1995. 3C. March 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210306211338/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1290&dat=19951230&id=LTNUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R44DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1832,4924283&hl=en. live.
  26. News: Denver running back Davis is Offensive Player of the Year. July 6, 2016. The Argus-Press. Associated Press. December 27, 1996. 10. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225083439/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=19961227&id=OXciAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jKwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3057,5188306&hl=en. live.
  27. News: Barry. Wilner. Detroit's Sanders named Offensive Player of Year. July 6, 2016. Daily News. Associated Press. December 26, 1997. 1B. April 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220411172802/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1696&dat=19971226&id=pQsbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CEgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3264,3452526&hl=en. live.
  28. News: Wilner. Barry. Davis named Offensive Player of the Year. July 6, 2016. Boca Raton News. Associated Press. January 6, 1999. 4B. March 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210302021638/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1291&dat=19990106&id=PUlUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bI4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2953,1863114&hl=en. live.
  29. News: Faulk is overwhelming choice for offensive player of the year. July 6, 2016. The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. January 13, 2000. 1B. February 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224171459/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1893&dat=20000113&id=fR8vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9NwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1623,1871127&hl=en. live.
  30. News: Faulk: Offensive Player of Year. July 6, 2016. Gadsden Times. January 5, 2001. D3. March 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210304161417/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=20010105&id=rgAuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fd0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3075,389007&hl=en. live.
  31. News: Marshall Faulk wins Offensive Player of the Year. July 6, 2016. The Argus-Press. Associated Press. January 18, 2002. 11. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225092022/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=20020118&id=F1AiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ga0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1205,1326694&hl=en. live.
  32. News: Wilner. Barry. Honored Holmes: Chiefs back voted top offensive player. July 5, 2016. The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. January 10, 2003. 5B. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225044333/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=20030110&id=zBhZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gUYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5181,2234424&hl=en. live.
  33. News: Ravens' Lewis named AP's offensive player of the year. July 5, 2016. Athens Banner-Herald. Associated Press. January 1, 2004. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160819155841/http://onlineathens.com/stories/010104/spo_20040101057.shtml. August 19, 2016.
  34. News: Manning claims offensive award. July 5, 2016. TimesDaily. Associated Press. January 6, 2005. 3C. March 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210301021730/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=20050105&id=3f0hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=26MFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1282,668505&hl=en. live.
  35. News: Wilner. Barry. Alexander named NFL MVP, top offensive player. July 5, 2016. USA Today. Associated Press. January 5, 2006. October 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161010215236/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/seahawks/2006-01-05-alexander-mvp_x.htm. live.
  36. News: Wilner. Barry. L.T. Wins AP Offensive Player Award. February 2, 2017. The Washington Post. Associated Press. January 5, 2007. September 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170912105307/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/05/AR2007010500835.html. live.
  37. News: Brady adds AP Offensive Player of Year to MVP. July 5, 2016. NFL.com. Associated Press. January 8, 2008. August 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200804194146/https://www.nfl.com/news/brady-adds-ap-offensive-player-of-year-to-mvp-09000d5d805d48be. live.
  38. News: Brees named AP offensive player of year. July 5, 2016. ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 6, 2009.
  39. News: Johnson makes fast impression. July 5, 2016. ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 13, 2010.
  40. News: Brady wins AP offensive player of year award. July 5, 2016. The Denver Post. February 1, 2011. August 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160817222146/http://www.denverpost.com/2011/02/01/brady-wins-ap-offensive-player-of-year-award/. live.
  41. Web site: Saints' Brees wins AP Offensive Player of the Year award. NFL.com. NFL. July 5, 2016. February 4, 2012. December 8, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161208145625/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8269e4fe/article/saints-brees-wins-ap-offensive-player-of-the-year-award. live.
  42. Web site: Adrian Peterson tabbed AP Offensive Player of the Year. NFL.com. NFL. July 5, 2016. February 2, 2013. June 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200607075424/https://www.nfl.com/news/adrian-peterson-tabbed-ap-offensive-player-of-the-year-0ap1000000134506. live.
  43. Web site: Broncos' Peyton Manning earns Offensive Player of the Year. NFL.com. NFL. July 5, 2016. February 2, 2014. August 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200805150520/https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-peyton-manning-earns-offensive-player-of-the-year-0ap2000000321672. live.
  44. News: Brinson. Will. NFL Offensive Player of the Year: DeMarco Murray beats Aaron Rodgers. July 5, 2016. CBS Sports. January 31, 2015. September 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160918204456/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25013785/demarco-murray-wins-2014-offensive-player-of-the-year. live.
  45. News: Cam Newton named NFL MVP and offensive player of the year. July 5, 2016. The Guardian. Associated Press. February 6, 2016.
  46. News: McClure. Vaughn. Falcons QB Matt Ryan wins NFL MVP, Offensive Player of Year. April 23, 2017. ABC News. February 4, 2017. April 24, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170424174547/http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/falcons-qb-matt-ryan-wins-nfl-mvp-offensive/story?id=45275657. live.
  47. Web site: Todd Gurley named NFL Offensive Player of the Year. https://web.archive.org/web/20180204052237/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000913839/article/todd-gurley-named-nfl-offensive-player-of-the-year. dead. February 4, 2018. Knoblauch, Austin. February 3, 2018. NFL.com.
  48. Web site: Patrick Mahomes named NFL Offensive Player of Year. Gordon. Grant. 2019-02-02. NFL.com. 2024-06-04. 2024-02-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20240223190034/https://www.nfl.com/news/patrick-mahomes-named-nfl-offensive-player-of-year-0ap3000001015490. live.
  49. Web site: Saints WR Michael Thomas named 2019 NFL OPOY . NFL.com . Jelani . Scott . February 1, 2020 . February 1, 2020 . June 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200606145935/https://www.nfl.com/news/saints-wr-michael-thomas-named-2019-nfl-opoy-0ap3000001100165 . live .
  50. Web site: Titans RB Derrick Henry named NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year . NFL.com . Adam . Maya . February 6, 2021 . February 6, 2021 . February 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210207024440/https://www.nfl.com/news/titans-rb-derrick-henry-named-ap-offensive-player-of-the-year . live .
  51. Web site: Rams WR Cooper Kupp named 2021 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year . NFL.com . Adam . Maya . February 10, 2022 . February 10, 2022 . February 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220211034338/https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-wr-cooper-kupp-named-2021-ap-nfl-offensive-player-of-the-year . live .
  52. Web site: Vikings WR Justin Jefferson named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year . NFL.com . Eric . Edholm . February 9, 2023 . February 9, 2023 . February 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230210021715/https://www.nfl.com/news/vikings-wr-justin-jefferson-named-ap-nfl-offensive-player-of-the-year . live .
  53. Web site: Niners RB Christian McCaffrey named AP 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year . NFL.com . Eric . Edholm . February 9, 2024 . February 8, 2024 . February 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240209032851/https://www.nfl.com/news/niners-rb-christian-mccaffrey-named-ap-2023-nfl-offensive-player-of-the-year . live .

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