4 Commanders who could steal the spotlight and storm NFL awards in 2025

While the NFL world was up in arms about the ruling on the controversial Tush Push play, some more positive news ended up lost in the shuffle. There will be a new addition to the league's annual regular season awards in 2025.

The NFL Protector of the Year award will be credited to the league's top offensive lineman, a position that feels long overdue to finally get some respect. Those in the trenches never find themselves in the running for MVP or Offensive Player of the Year, so it's only right to give them their place in the limelight.

As it so happens, the Washington Commanders roster has a player who could very well find himself on the shortlist of those competing for the inaugural prize. If this season goes as anticipated, there are a few different members of the squad who could be earning themselves some individual hardware.

Commanders players who could win individual awards in 2025

Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB

• Award: NFL MVP

Whether or not the Commanders take the next step into being a Super Bowl contender in 2025 all depends on the play of sensational young quarterback Jayden Daniels. He was the league's darling in 2024, but if he stagnates or regresses, the narrative will quickly turn on him — just ask C.J. Stroud.

But what if he gets even better?

There's no reason to think he can't, especially after Washington upgraded its offense around him by adding five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and former All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. If the Commanders compete near the top of the league standings all season, Daniels will have a legitimate chance at going from NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year to winning league MVP honors.

Laremy Tunsil - Commanders OT

• Award: NFL Protector of the Year

Speaking of Tunsil, the NFL's new Protector of the Year honor will be among the most intriguing awards races to watch in 2025. It will likely provide the most attention offensive linemen have ever received as individual performers. In terms of who can become its inaugural winner, the race figures to be wide open.

Why not Tunsil? He may be considered a stretch, having never made an All-Pro team, but his move to Washington could take him to another level.

The one-time Ole Miss standout has been stuck on bad teams throughout the majority of his nine-year career, which has likely robbed him of the full recognition he deserves as one of the game's elite offensive linemen. There would be no better time for him to prove he belongs in that class.

Deebo Samuel Sr. - Commanders WR

• Award: NFL Comeback Player of the Year

Generally, the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year honor goes to someone who was injured during the previous season. That makes San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott some of the top candidates by default. But given the loose criteria, this is generally the hardest award in the league to predict.

Samuel, the Commanders' other big-name offseason trade acquisition, could have a case provided he returns to his Pro Bowl form. He struggled to a career-low 44.7 yards per game last season while going through the motions on a depleted Niners team, but this is a player who was tailor-made for Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

He'll benefit from having a true No. 1 wideout in Terry McLaurin lining up opposite him. Should no one else emerge as the clear favorite for the award, he just might have a shot.

Dan Quinn - Commanders HC

• Award: NFL Coach of the Year

There aren't enough words to describe the impact Dan Quinn made during his first season as Commanders' head coach. After his hiring was initially met with underwhelming reviews, all he did was help improve Washington's record by eight games during the regular season, take them to the NFC Championship, and most importantly of all, build the type of winning culture that this franchise has lacked since Joe Gibbs roamed the sidelines.

Quinn didn't win NFL Coach of the Year in a season that was stacked with herculean efforts by his colleagues. It will also be hard for him to win it this year, now that the standard for Washington has been set. But it's not impossible.

Generally, the award goes to the coach of a team that radically exceeds expectations to improve upon its performance the prior year, often someone in their first season. But if the Commanders take the next step, especially if they finish out the regular season with some signature divisional victories, he could get some serious buzz.

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