With the playoffs about to start, we’ll take a look here at the players who deserve to get recognition. And I wanted to do something different, because this season, all of the real regular season awards are pretty straightforward.

The MVP is Aaron Rodgers. The DPOY is T.J. Watt. The OROY is Ja’marr Chase. The DROY is Micah Parsons. The OPOY is the only one without a clear winner, but it’s either Jonathan Taylor or Cooper Kupp.

So rather than give you a bunch of awards and lists that you already know the answer to, I created my own awards based on the recognition I believe should be handed out, both positive and negative (you should know what’s coming.)

So let’s have some fun.

Offensive Lineman of the Year

• Andrew Whitworth
• Trent Williams
• Wyatt Teller

Winner: Trent Williams

This is big IYKYK energy. Most people don’t pay attention to offensive line play, and they only notice them when the quarterback gets sacked. Which for most viewers that’s fine, but no one but the diehard football people care, or give out recognition on the offensive line. And I want to change that.

You know how people say Aaron Donald is the best player in football? Well Trent Williams might be number 2. As a former offensive lineman, watch Williams do what he does on a weekly basis is a joy and a privilege. The things he does on a regular basis cannot and should never be taught, because it’s just impossible.

I could go on for hours about Trent Williams, but I won’t. I want to also show love to Andrew Whitworth of the Rams and Wyatt Teller of the Browns. Whitworth is still an elite left tackle at 40 years old, and it is amazing. Teller is the best player on the Browns’ offense, and without him, nothing they want to achieve matters. That was proved in the 2020 season when he was hurt.

If you don’t know anything about the trenches, just trust me. And you can look like you know something this weekend when you keep saying how great Trent Williams is.

Best Receiver in the League

• Davante Adams
• Stefon Diggs
• Justin Jefferson
• Cooper Kupp

Winner: Davante Adams

AND STILL.

Please don’t let the shiny new toys fool you. The huge numbers are great, but when it comes down to it, Adams is still the guy. And has been for a while.

If Davante Adams is lined up on the goal line 1 on 1, it will be a touchdown. You can count the points now. If he is lined up in the red zone 1 on 1, he will get the ball thrown his way and it will be caught. You can add it to the box score now. Davante Adams wakes up on Sunday morning with 3 catches automatically next to his name in the box score.

He’s an amazing player to watch, and he just makes it look so easy. He has the top spot now, but Justin Jefferson is right on his heels. So much so, that we could have a new king at the end of 2022.

Least Valuable Player

Winner: Baker Mayfield

I won’t even disrespect another player by putting him in this category. We all know how bad 6 was this year.

I don’t have the energy to bring the stats up either. But if you do take the time to look, he was in the bottom ten of most statistical categories. This was supposed to be a prove-it year for Baker Mayfield. The plan was to get weapons healthy around him, surround him with a good line and defense, and let him play his way into a multi-year contract extension.

But what ended up happening is, he threw an interception, tried to play superhero and tackle the ball carrier, and tore his labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. Then he proceeded to keep playing (because he decides if he’s healthy or not) and tanked the offense enough to the point of missing the playoffs. He also has publicly criticized his head coach’s playcalling, and ran the most dynamic playmaker this city has seen since Ted Ginn Jr. left Glenville out of town, because he could not get him the ball.

The Cleveland Browns were a playoff team, that ridiculously underperformed. And it largely falls on the shoulders of one person. If the Browns had just gotten average quarterback play, they would be in the playoffs currently.

But the guy who decided he should be a tough guy and play through an injury that obviously hindered his ability kept playing, and played his team out of the postseason.

Time to Hang it Up Award

• Julio Jones
• Cam Newton
• Ben Roethlisberger

Winner: Cam Newton

This one is for me. I have written at length about how Cam was deserving of another opportunity after getting cut from Carolina, and then getting cut from New England. But now, it’s time to accept the fact that it’s over.

He can still contribute in a winning way, but that’s not as a starting quarterback in the NFL. He can be a backup, and Marcus Mariota has shown that there is a way to use a mobile QB in short yardage situations. It may not be the end of his career, but it’s time for Cam to give up the dreams of being a starter. We had a great run.

Roethlisberger is already retiring, so I’ll save his slander for another day.

But Julio being here hurts. He’s been a dominant player for so long, but his body will not hold up anymore. He was rarely healthy this season, and when he was on the field, he was barely visible. Once again, like Cam, his career isn’t over, but the All-Pro days have come to an end.

There’s some random recognition I wanted to give out, just because I couldn’t come up with an award or category for these guys. They all showed up and showed out in some way this season:

• Joe Burrow
• Deebo Samuel
• Leonard Fournette
• Robert Quinn
• A.J. Terrell
• Rasul Douglas
• Justin Herbert
• Jalen Ramsey
• Jaylen Waddle

It was a wild 2021 season, here’s to hoping for an even wilder playoffs.