Four Vikings, including head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterback Sam Darnold, are finalists for the NFL’s most prestigious awards, which will be presented on Thursday night. Check back here often for live updates from New Orleans.
The Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell is considered a favorite for NFL Coach of the Year as he shocked the league by overcoming all outside expectations and winning 14 games. (Anthony Souffle/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Head coach Kevin O’Connell is considered the favorite for Coach of the Year, while quarterback Sam Darnold is up for Comeback Player of the Year, defensive coordinator Brian Flores is a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year and fullback C.J. Ham is the Vikings’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
The awards are coordinated by the Associated Press and voted on by 50 members of the media from around the country, including this reporter. Ballots were turned in before the playoffs began.
The red carpet show will begin at 7 p.m. Central time on NFL Network, followed by the award ceremony at 8 p.m. on FOX and NFL Network.
During the broadcast, the awards are scheduled to be presented in the following order (AP Assistant Coach of the Year will be presented during the red carpet show):
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year AP Offensive Player of the Year AP Defensive Player of the Year AP Comeback Player of the Year AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 AP Coach of the Year AP Most Valuable Player Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year