The NFL and the Associated Press released the list of finalists for the league’s annual awards on Thursday, and several Dallas Cowboys remain in the running.
After a 12-5 season that saw the team excel on both sides of the ball, Dallas has players up for the Offensive Player of the Year, the Defensive Player of the Year, and the league’s Most Valuable Player.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is a finalist for the MVP award after bouncing back from a career-worst season to lead the league in touchdown passes and finish among the leaders in passing yards and QBR. He threw for 4,516 yards — the second-most of his career — and 36 touchdowns this season.
Prescott is also a finalist for the Offensive Player of the Year award, along with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Lamb continued to build on his stellar career, setting a franchise record with 1,735 receiving yards while scoring 12 touchdowns and leading the NFL with 135 receptions.
Linebacker Micah Parsons and defensive back DaRon Bland are the Defensive Player of the Year award finalists. Parsons has become a star since entering the NFL in 2021, with 13 sacks in his rookie season. He ended the 2023-24 season with a career-high 14 and has an excellent chance to win the award for the second time in three years.
Bland set an NFL record with five pick-sixes this season, breaking the previous mark Philadelphia’s Eric Allen set in 1993. The second-year was thrown into the lineup after an injury to starting cornerback Trevon Diggs and flourished in his new role, earning his first career Pro Bowl nod. The Fresno State product already has 14 interceptions in his brief NFL career.
Others with ties to the Cowboys and the Dallas area are also on the list.
Former Cowboys tight end Dan Campbell is a finalist for Coach of the Year after leading the Detroit Lions to their best season in the modern era, and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, a Highland Park native, is a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year, given to players who exceed expectations in return from injury.
Houston Texans head coach Dameco Ryans is also up for Coach of the Year. Additionally, Houston offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is in the running for Assistant Coach of the Year, and rookies CJ Stroud and Will Anderson are in consideration for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The winners will be announced during the NFL Honors annual award show at 7 p.m. CT on February 8.
