
The 2025 NFL season ended in disappointment for both the Kansas City Chiefs and Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers. Kansas City finished 6-11, missing the playoffs and snapping a decade-plus streak of postseason appearances. The downturn was compounded late in the season when quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore the ACL in his left knee during a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers
Parsons, meanwhile, suffered his own season-ending ACL injury in his first year with the Packers following a blockbuster trade from the Dallas Cowboys and fresh off signing a four-year, $188 million contract, the largest ever for a non-quarterback.
Despite a devastating end to the season, Parsons received some great news from the Chiefs and the NFL community on Tuesday.
The Committee of 101 revealed the 2025 recipients of the annual 101 Awards during a national announcement on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, with Parsons winning the NFC Defensive Player of the Year award.
“Another way we carry on Lamar Hunt's legacy is by recognizing the league's top players and coaches every season with the 101 Awards,” the Chiefs wrote on X.
Another way we carry on Lamar Hunt's legacy is by recognizing the league's top players and coaches every season with the 101 Awards.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 27, 2026
Here's the full list of this year's winners
Despite playing only 14 games before the injury, Parsons recorded 12.5 sacks and 41 tackles, extending his streak as only the second player since 1982 to post 12+ sacks in each of his first five NFL seasons.
Other 101 Award recipients included New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye as AFC Offensive Player of the Year, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford as NFC Offensive Player of the Year, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel as AFC Coach of the Year, and Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald as NFC Coach of the Year.
Founded in 1969 by Lamar Hunt and a group of Kansas City business leaders, the 101 Awards remain the longest-running awards program dedicated exclusively to the NFL, honoring the most outstanding players and coaches from each conference every season.
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