Multiple Chiefs honored by Sporting News NFL Awards for 2020

Multiple members of the Kansas City Chiefs organization were honored by The Sporting News for their accomplishments during the 2020 NFL season. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named the Offensive Player of the Year and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was voted as Coordinator of the Year. In addition, former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith earned Comeback Player of the Year.

Mahomes winning the Offensive Player of the Year might be a bit of a surprise, statistically speaking, given that he didn’t play the final game of the year and his numbers ultimately fall short in comparison with presumed NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. However, Mahomes enjoyed an exceptional season with a league-leading 4,740 passing yards to go with 38 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions.

As for Bieniemy, the win for Coordinator of the Year is a good boost of confidence in a confusing offseason in which he has been passed over for every head coach opening so far—six of them and counting. The Houston Texans are the only remaining franchise with a head coach opening, but few teams have shown the level of drama and dysfunction from the top down in recent years as the Texans.

As for other awards, L.A. Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was named the Defensive Player of the year and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was honored as the Rookie of the Year. The Chiefs might have had some potential there with Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but injuries and limited carries ruined any candidacy down the stretch there.

The Chiefs could have also been in the hunt for Head Coach and Executive of the Year with Andy Reid and Brett Veach, respectively, but Kevin Stefanski of the Browns and Brandon Beane of the Bills were given those nods.