The Los Angeles Rams didn’t make it to the Super Bowl but they did win big at the annual NFL Honors awards ceremony, held Saturday night.
Rams head coach Sean McVay was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year for 2017, making him the youngest head coach to win the award at 31 years old. Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald won Defensive Player of the Year and running back Todd Gurley II won Offensive Player of the Year.
Head coach McVay inherited a team that finished with a 4-12 record in 2016 and had the league’s worst-scoring offense. He transformed the offensive line and led the franchise to its first NFC West championship since 2003. The team also had a eight players selected for the Pro Bowl, the most of any team in the league this year.
Defensive tackle Donald is the first player in Rams history to be named AP Defensive Player of the Year. He racked up 52 tackles, 11 sacks and five forced fumbles, despite playing in only 14 games. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl for the fourth-consecutive season.
Running back Gurley won offensive player of the year after leading the NFL with 19 touchdowns, 114 points scored among non-kickers and 2,093 scrimmage yards. He also finished second in rushing yards with 1,305. During the season, Gurley averaged 6.1 yards per touch. Gurley is the first Ram to win the award since Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk took home the award in 2001.
For the third time, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. He previously won the award in 2007 and 2010.
Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen was named Comeback Player. New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were named the top offensive and defensive rookies, respectively. Former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, now head coach of the New York Giants, was named assistant coach of the year.