Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen should win the Associated Press’ 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player Award. No player in the league provides more individual value to their franchise than Allen, and it’s not particularly close in a year where he’s carried the team to an 11-3 record.
That’s no disrespect to the other leading candidates—Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff—all of whom are putting together fantastic seasons. They all have far more talent around them, however, and Allen has single-handedly elevated a roster that was ticketed for a transition year back into Super Bowl contention.
While Allen is trending toward MVP honors, he’s not the only member of the Bills organization building a strong award case. Here are some other contenders to track ahead of the 14th Annual NFL Honors show, which will take place during Super Bowl week.
Buffalo Bills’ Other 2024 NFL Award Candidates
Comeback Player of the Year: S Damar Hamlin
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who suffered a season-ending wrist injury in 2023, is the rightful favorite for this award. In fact, the Cincy signal-caller could even make a late push for MVP honors if he guides the team on a late surge into the playoffs.
Hamlin must at least be considered, though. He’s enjoyed a solid season in his return to the starting lineup. Even more than that, however, it would right last year’s wrong.
The Bills safety nearly died on the field in Week 17 of the 2022 season. The fact he played at all in 2023 was a miracle and should have instantly earned him Comeback Player of the Year honors. There shouldn’t have even been a vote last year. It should have been automatic.
Instead, the voters opted for then-Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco, who didn’t “come back” from anything. It was a disgrace. Flacco, now with the Indianapolis Colts, admitted it “felt a little weird” when he won the award. The AP also updated its guidelines to make it clear the spirit of the award was overcoming injury or illness.
Hamlin has recorded 83 total tackles, five passes defended, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery in 13 appearances this season. Those numbers aren’t on the same level as Burrow, who leads the NFL in passing yards, but he’s still been an important piece of the Bills defense.
Burrow will likely win the award, and it’ll be tough to argue against that. Hamlin deserved far better from the voters last year, though.
Coach of the Year: HC Sean McDermott
McDermott is far from perfect. We’ve discussed his flaws at length throughout the season. He continues to make mistakes with timeouts and is too slow to abandon his preferred zone defense. Yet, his shortcomings shouldn’t prevent him from being considered in the Coach of the Year race.
As mentioned, the Bills entered the season with uncertain expectations. An offseason roster overhaul made it feel like a rebuilding, or at least retooling, campaign. Instead, they clinched their fifth straight AFC East division title in Week 13.
McDermott is a lot like Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The former William & Mary teammates both make up for whatever flaws they have by creating remarkably strong cultures and building trust with their players, who would run through a brick wall for them.
Coach of the Year is one of the most crowded races ahead of award season. The Minnesota Vikings‘ Kevin O’Connell, Denver Broncos‘ Sean Payton, and Lions’ Dan Campbell are the top contenders. Tomlin should also be among those in the mix.
That said, McDermott shouldn’t be overlooked just because of Allen’s presence. The Bills coach has created an environment when players can step right in to the scheme and succeed. That’s important, especially with the team navigating an injury-riddled season.
McDermott isn’t the favorite, but if Buffalo claims the AFC’s top seed, he should get some votes.
Assistant Coach of the Year: OC Joe Brady
The Bills opened offseason workouts without wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. The team’s longtime top weapons in the passing game combined for 241 targets last year. It led Brady to invent the moniker “everybody eats” to describe how the offense would operate without them.
While it helped having Allen at the helm, it wasn’t always a smooth transition. Some midseason struggles led general manager Brandon Beane to acquire wideout Amari Cooper from the Browns, but for the most part, spreading the ball around has worked well.
Buffalo ranks second in points per game (31.8), third in yards per play (6.2) and seventh in yards per game (369.6). It’s scored at least 30 points in eight straight games, tying the NFL record.
That offensive variety has been a welcome sight. Buffalo had become painfully stagnant on offense under former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey during the Diggs-Davis era. Now opposing coaches must prepare for a much more complete, dangerous unit.
Brady will be a hot candidate for head coaching vacancies around the NFL, regardless of whether he wins this award or not. The Bills will miss him dearly if he departs before next season.
