Home / NFL Football News NFL: Garrett leads POTY awards alongside Smith-Njigba Some of the NFL's top players were recognised in the end-of-season awards Written by Mitch Fretton Last Update: February 6, 2026 12:08:44 pm GMT 2 min read Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for the second time in his career, doing so unanimously after a historic season. Garrett received all 50 first-place votes and was presented with the award at the NFL Honours show in San Francisco. The 29-year-old recorded 23 sacks during the regular season, setting a new NFL single-season record, and also led the league with 33 tackles for loss.Accepting the award, Garrett paid tribute to those around him, saying: It doesnt just start with me. It starts with great teammates, a great organization, great coaches being able to put us in position. Im thankful for every single one of my teammates to help get me up here. Its not possible without them.Table of Contents1 Seahawks Smith-Njigba sweeps OPOTY2 Mike Vrabel named COTYSeahawks Smith-Njigba sweeps OPOTYSeattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was named Offensive Player of the Year after a standout third NFL season. He led the league with a career-high 1,793 receiving yards, the eighth-highest total in a single season in NFL history, and set franchise records for both receiving yards and receptions with 119.Smith-Njigba received 14 first-place votes, finishing ahead of San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. He became only the second Seahawks player to win the award, alongside former running back Shaun Alexander.Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was named Offensive Rookie of the Year after leading all first-year players in receiving yards and touchdown catches. The eighth overall pick in the 2025 draft finished the season with 1,014 yards, seven touchdowns and 70 receptions, breaking Kelvin Benjamins Panthers rookie receiving record and becoming just the second player in franchise history to surpass 1,000 yards as a rookie.Mike Vrabel named COTYNew England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was named Coach of the Year after guiding a dramatic turnaround in his first season in charge. The Patriots improved from a 4-13 record to 14-3, winning the AFC East for the first time since 2019 and reaching the Super Bowl. Vrabels 10-win improvement tied the best ever by a first-year head coach, and he collected 19 first-place votes to claim the award for the second time in his career. Topics: Cleveland Browns Jaxon Smith-Njigba Mike Vrabel myles garrett New England Patriots Seattle Seahawks Follow us: Mitch Fretton Mitch is a freelance sports journalist with experience working for LiveScore, GOAL and Colchester United. He has experience working from both his desk at home and in the press box at games covering the Champions League and international football. Read more from Mitch Fretton
