AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award

For similar awards by other publications, see List of NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards.
AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Christian McCaffrey, 2023 recipient
Awarded forOffensive player of the year in the National Football League
Presented byAssociated Press
History
First award1972
Most winsEarl Campbell, Marshall Faulk (3 each)
Most recentChristian McCaffrey

The AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award (OPOY) is presented 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. Manning is the only player to win the award with two different teams, doing so in 2004 with the Indianapolis Colts and in 2013 with the Denver Broncos. 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.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5] In turn, 2013 winner Peyton Manning set league single-season records for passing yards (5,477) and passing touchdowns (55).[6]

Winners

Tomlinson running with the football, attempting to evade two defenders
2006 winner LaDainian Tomlinson set NFL single-season records for rushing touchdowns (28), touchdowns from scrimmage (31), and points scored (186).[7]
Peterson in full uniform walking on the field
Adrian Peterson won the award in 2012 after rushing for 2,097 yards, the second most all time by a player in a single season.[8]
Season Player Position Team Ref.
1972 Larry Brown Running back Washington Redskins [9]
1973 O. J. Simpson Buffalo Bills [3]
1974 Ken Stabler Quarterback Oakland Raiders [10]
1975 Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings [11]
1976 Bert Jones Baltimore Colts [12]
1977 Walter Payton Running back Chicago Bears [13]
1978 Earl Campbell Houston Oilers [14]
1979 Earl Campbell (2) Houston Oilers [15]
1980 Earl Campbell (3) Houston Oilers [16]
1981 Ken Anderson Quarterback Cincinnati Bengals [17]
1982 Dan Fouts San Diego Chargers [18]
1983 Joe Theismann Washington Redskins [19]
1984 Dan Marino Miami Dolphins [4]
1985 Marcus Allen Running back Los Angeles Raiders [20]
1986 Eric Dickerson Los Angeles Rams [21]
1987 Jerry Rice Wide receiver San Francisco 49ers [22]
1988 Roger Craig Running back San Francisco 49ers [23]
1989 Joe Montana Quarterback San Francisco 49ers [24]
1990 Warren Moon Houston Oilers [25]
1991 Thurman Thomas Running back Buffalo Bills [26]
1992 Steve Young Quarterback San Francisco 49ers [24]
1993 Jerry Rice (2) Wide receiver San Francisco 49ers [27]
1994 Barry Sanders Running back Detroit Lions [28]
1995 Brett Favre Quarterback Green Bay Packers [29]
1996 Terrell Davis Running back Denver Broncos [30]
1997 Barry Sanders (2) Detroit Lions [31]
1998 Terrell Davis (2) Denver Broncos [32]
1999 Marshall Faulk St. Louis Rams [33]
2000 Marshall Faulk (2) St. Louis Rams [34]
2001 Marshall Faulk (3) St. Louis Rams [35]
2002 Priest Holmes Kansas City Chiefs [36]
2003 Jamal Lewis Baltimore Ravens [37]
2004 Peyton Manning Quarterback Indianapolis Colts [38]
2005 Shaun Alexander Running back Seattle Seahawks [39]
2006 LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers [7]
2007 Tom Brady Quarterback New England Patriots [40]
2008 Drew Brees New Orleans Saints [41]
2009 Chris Johnson Running back Tennessee Titans [42]
2010 Tom Brady (2) Quarterback New England Patriots [43]
2011 Drew Brees (2) New Orleans Saints [5]
2012 Adrian Peterson Running back Minnesota Vikings [8]
2013 Peyton Manning (2) Quarterback Denver Broncos [6]
2014 DeMarco Murray Running back Dallas Cowboys [44]
2015 Cam Newton Quarterback Carolina Panthers [45]
2016 Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons [46]
2017 Todd Gurley Running back Los Angeles Rams [47]
2018 Patrick Mahomes Quarterback Kansas City Chiefs [48]
2019 Michael Thomas Wide receiver New Orleans Saints [49]
2020 Derrick Henry Running back Tennessee Titans [50]
2021 Cooper Kupp Wide receiver Los Angeles Rams [51]
2022 Justin Jefferson Minnesota Vikings [52]
2023 Christian McCaffrey Running back San Francisco 49ers [53]

Multiple-time winners

Player Awards Position Team Seasons
Earl Campbell 3 Running back Houston Oilers 1978, 1979, 1980
Marshall Faulk 3 Running back St. Louis Rams 1999, 2000, 2001
Jerry Rice 2 Wide receiver San Francisco 49ers 1987, 1993
Barry Sanders 2 Running back Detroit Lions 1994, 1997
Terrell Davis 2 Running back Denver Broncos 1996, 1998
Tom Brady 2 Quarterback New England Patriots 2007, 2010
Drew Brees 2 Quarterback New Orleans Saints 2008, 2011
Peyton Manning 2 Quarterback Indianapolis Colts
Denver Broncos 		2004, 2013

See also

References

General
  • Gellerman, Jacob; Drexler, Sam; Marini, Matt; Cocchiaro, Nicolas; Zerkel, Alex, eds. (2016). 2018 Official NFL Record and Fact Book (PDF). National Football League. p. 524. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  • "AP Offensive Player of the Year Winners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
Footnotes
  1. ^ Hope, Dan (July 7, 2013). "Ranking the Top 25 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Candidates". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 26, 2017. 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. ^ "First-ever 'NFL Honors' show will be hosted by Baldwin in Indy". NFL.com. National Football League. January 3, 2012. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Simpson Offensive Winner". Kentucky New Era. Associated Press. January 4, 1974. p. 11. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Record-breaking Marino wins top offensive honor". Gadsden Times. Associated Press. December 19, 1984. p. D2. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Saints' Brees wins AP Offensive Player of the Year award". NFL.com. NFL. February 4, 2012. Archived from the original on December 8, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Broncos' Peyton Manning earns Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. NFL. February 2, 2014. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Wilner, Barry (January 5, 2007). "L.T. Wins AP Offensive Player Award". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Adrian Peterson tabbed AP Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. NFL. February 2, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  9. ^ "Top NFL Offensive Player: Larry Brown Doesn't Like Comparisons With Others". Observer-Reporter. Associated Press. January 5, 1973. p. B-4. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  10. ^ "Ken Stabler Named NFL's Offensive Player Of Year". Sarasota Herald Tribune. Associated Press. January 8, 1975. p. 1C. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  11. ^ "Tarkenton Honored". The Vic jotos de mierda toria Advocate. Associated Press. January 13, 1976. p. 2B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  12. ^ "Offensive Award to Bert Jones". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. December 30, 1976. p. 1B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  13. ^ "Chicago's Payton Picked Offensive Player Of Year". Herald-Journal. Associated Press. January 5, 1978. p. C3. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  14. ^ "Campbell Wins Offensive Title". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. January 12, 1979. p. 6B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  15. ^ "Campbell Walks With Second Offensive Title". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Associated Press. December 24, 1979. p. 33. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  16. ^ Olderman, Murray (January 18, 1981). "Earl Campbell: a triple champ". The Nevada Daily Mail. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 10. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  17. ^ "Anderson is top offensive player". The Telegraph. Associated Press. January 8, 1982. p. 18. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  18. ^ "Fouts Tops On Offense". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. January 7, 1983. p. 18. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  19. ^ Lowitt, Bruce (December 23, 1983). "Theismann crowned as top offensive player". Daily News. Associated Press. p. 3B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  20. ^ Nadel, John (December 30, 1983). "Allen sweeps offensive honors". The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. p. 5. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  21. ^ "Dickerson earns offensive honor". The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. December 30, 1986. p. 10. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  22. ^ "Rice is Offensive Player of the year". The Evening News. Associated Press. December 30, 1987. p. 2B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  23. ^ Wilner, Barry (December 29, 1988). "Craig earns offensive award". The Times-News. Associated Press. p. 20. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  24. ^ a b "Young named Offensive Player of the Year". The Times-News. Associated Press. January 5, 1993. p. 1B. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  25. ^ "Moon top offensive player". Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. January 10, 1991. p. 11. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  26. ^ "No more doubting Thomas: Bills' back selected as Offensive Player of Year". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. December 30, 1991. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  27. ^ Wilner, Barry (January 6, 1994). "Rice Offensive Player of the Year". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. p. 1B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  28. ^ "Sanders are players of the year". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. December 29, 1994. p. 3C. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  29. ^ "Favre voted best on offense". The News. Associated Press. December 30, 1995. p. 3C. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  30. ^ "Denver running back Davis is Offensive Player of the Year". The Argus-Press. Associated Press. December 27, 1996. p. 10. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  31. ^ Barry, Wilner (December 26, 1997). "Detroit's Sanders named Offensive Player of Year". Daily News. Associated Press. p. 1B. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  32. ^ Wilner, Barry (January 6, 1999). "Davis named Offensive Player of the Year". Boca Raton News. Associated Press. p. 4B. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  33. ^ "Faulk is overwhelming choice for offensive player of the year". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. January 13, 2000. p. 1B. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  34. ^ "Faulk: Offensive Player of Year". Gadsden Times. January 5, 2001. p. D3. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  35. ^ "Marshall Faulk wins Offensive Player of the Year". The Argus-Press. Associated Press. January 18, 2002. p. 11. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  36. ^ Wilner, Barry (January 10, 2003). "Honored Holmes: Chiefs back voted top offensive player". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. p. 5B. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  37. ^ "Ravens' Lewis named AP's offensive player of the year". Athens Banner-Herald. Associated Press. January 1, 2004. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  38. ^ "Manning claims offensive award". TimesDaily. Associated Press. January 6, 2005. p. 3C. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  39. ^ Wilner, Barry (January 5, 2006). "Alexander named NFL MVP, top offensive player". USA Today. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  40. ^ "Brady adds AP Offensive Player of Year to MVP". NFL.com. Associated Press. January 8, 2008. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  41. ^ "Brees named AP offensive player of year". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 6, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  42. ^ "Johnson makes fast impression". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 13, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  43. ^ "Brady wins AP offensive player of year award". The Denver Post. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  44. ^ Brinson, Will (January 31, 2015). "NFL Offensive Player of the Year: DeMarco Murray beats Aaron Rodgers". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  45. ^ "Cam Newton named NFL MVP and offensive player of the year". The Guardian. Associated Press. February 6, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  46. ^ McClure, Vaughn (February 4, 2017). "Falcons QB Matt Ryan wins NFL MVP, Offensive Player of Year". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  47. ^ Knoblauch, Austin (February 3, 2018). "Todd Gurley named NFL Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018.
  48. ^ Gordon, Grant (February 2, 2019). "Patrick Mahomes named NFL Offensive Player of Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  49. ^ Scott, Jelani (February 1, 2020). "Saints WR Michael Thomas named 2019 NFL OPOY". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  50. ^ Maya, Adam (February 6, 2021). "Titans RB Derrick Henry named NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  51. ^ Maya, Adam (February 10, 2022). "Rams WR Cooper Kupp named 2021 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  52. ^ Edholm, Eric (February 9, 2023). "Vikings WR Justin Jefferson named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  53. ^ Edholm, Eric (February 9, 2024). "Niners RB Christian McCaffrey named AP 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.