Three members of the Bills have been named as finalists for the Associated Press awards from the 2024 NFL season.
QB Josh Allen is a finalist for MVP, S Damar Hamlin is a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year and OC Joe Brady is a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year. The winner will be announced on Feb. 6 during NFL Honors.
AP Most Valuable Player Finalist — QB Josh Allen
Quarterback Josh Allen is a finalist for the AP's Most Valuable Player presented by Invisalign. Allen finished his 2024 regular season campaign near the top of several statistical categories. The QB had 41 offensive touchdowns (4th best), a 101.4 passer rating (8th) and only six interceptions (3rd least among QBs who played in 17 games).
Allen had several memorable games this season that went down in the history books. In Week 13 against the 49ers, the QB passed Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly (244) for most total touchdowns in Bills history and became the first quarterback in NFL history to ever record a passing, rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game.
In Week 14 against Detroit, Allen became the first quarterback in NFL history to record three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in a single game. In Week 17 against the Jets, Allen tied Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas (65) for the most rushing touchdowns in franchise history.
Allen was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week four different times. He also became the first player in NFL history to record at least 25 passing touchdowns, 10 rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown in a season. Allen also became the fourth QB to record at least 13 wins, 40 offensive touchdowns and fewer than 10 interceptions in a single season.
AP Comeback Player of the Year Finalist — Damar Hamlin
Safety Damar Hamlin has also been named as a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Hamlin started 14 games during the regular season for the Bills, recording 89 tackles, 2 interceptions and 5 passes defended.
Hamlin recorded the first INT of his career earlier this season, picking off Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence in a 47-10 win on Monday Night Football. Hamlin also intercepted Titans QB Mason Rudolph in a game the Bills won 34-10.
To recognize the two-year mark of the day he experienced cardiac arrest, Hamlin focused on honoring the training staff of the Buffalo Bills.
On January 2, 2025, Hamlin brought together trainers from the Buffalo Bills at a dinner, thanking them for their impact on his life and the inspiration they provided as he recovered. Hamlin also surprised them by announcing the expansion of his Chasing M's Foundation youth scholarship program, which began in Cincinnati, to include a new Buffalo Heroes scholarship.
"Two years ago, my life was forever changed, and I stand here today because of the incredible training staff who acted quickly and saved me," said Hamlin. "Their dedication, expertise, and compassion remind us of the importance of being prepared in the moments that matter most."
AP Assistant Coach of the Year Finalist — OC Joe Brady
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has also been named a finalist for the AP Assistant Coach of the Year. In his first season as Buffalo's OC, Brady took an offense that many thought would take a step back to new heights. He led a group that averaged 30.88 points per game (2nd best), 359 total yards per game and scored touchdowns in the red zone 71.6% of the time (2nd best).
Buffalo's offense allowed only 14 sacks (best in NFL) and 8 turnovers (best in NFL) all season, making them the only team in the Super Bowl era to allow less than a sack and a giveaway per game. With 32 rushing touchdowns and 30 passing touchdowns, Buffalo became the first team in NFL history to record at least 30 passing touchdowns and 30 rushing in the same season.
Brady helped coin a mantra "Everybody Eats" that the offense thrived off throughout the season. The Bills tied an NFL record with 13 different players recording a receiving touchdown. Buffalo's offense scored at least 30 points in 12 games, which is a franchise record and the most in the league. Under Brady, Buffalo's rushing offense came to life. Running back James Cook tied for the most rushing touchdowns this season with 16.
