The NFL Honors didn’t go in the Vikings’ favor on Saturday night as several Vikings came up empty-handed in the pursuit of their respective accolades.
Justin Jefferson finished as the runner-up to Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. The sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft set multiple rookie records last season including passing touchdowns (31) and yards per game (289.1).
Jefferson, who was the 22nd overall pick in the draft, shattered some of his own rookie records including most receiving yards (1,400) in the Super Bowl era, and passed Randy Moss for the most receptions (88) by a rookie in Vikings history.
While many Viking fans will be disappointed that he didn’t win the award, they may also be irate that it wasn’t close. Herbert earned 41 of the 50 votes en route to winning the award, leaving Jefferson with something to prove heading into next season.
😏😏see ya next season
— JJETS✈️ (@JJettas2) February 7, 2021
Meanwhile, Jared Allen came up short in his bid to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The former Viking has the most sacks of any eligible player in NFL history not in the Hall of Fame with 136 but didn’t make the cut in his first year of eligibility.
Charles Woodson, Calvin Johnson, Tom Flores, Peyton Manning, John Lynch, and Alan Faneca will be inducted as part of the 2021 class along with the 2020 class, whose enshrinement was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To cap off the night, Eric Kendricks came up short in his bid for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which was given to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
With former offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski winning the AP Coach of the Year Award for his work with the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers winning the AP Most Valuable Player Award, it was truly a tough night for the Vikings.
