The Denver Broncos were shut out at NFL Honors on Thursday night, just days before the Super Bowl.
Despite making the AFC Championship, none of Denver’s nominees took home any awards.
Josh McDaniels, of all people, won AP Assistant Coach of the Year over Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. The New England Patriots offense did more in the eyes of the voters than the Denver defense, although Joseph did at least finish second. He received 10 first-place votes while McDaniels earned 17.
Elsewhere in no surprise, Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the year. He broke the single-season sack record, so it’s hard to argue. That shouldn’t take anything away from Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto, who finished fourth in the voting. Garrett received all 50 first-place votes.
And finally, neither Garrett Bolles nor Quinn Meinerz is the NFL’s inaugural Protector of the Year. That went to guard Joe Thuney of the Chicago Bears.
Bolles was also nominated for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year and was a very worthy candidate considering he was named the Alan Page Community Award earlier this week. In recognition of the union’s highest player honor, the NFLPA is donating $100,000 to the GB3 Foundation.
But the award went instead to Bobby Wagner of the Washington Commanders, also a great nominee who’s made a tremendous impact off the field.
Individual awards don’t equal a Super Bowl, but this still has to be a bit frustrating for the Broncos and their fans. Particularly in the cases of Joseph, Bolles and Meinerz. Bonitto could’ve won in a different year if Garett didn’t do what he did.
Regardless, going 14-3 and appearing in the AFC Title Game made for a wildly successful season in Denver. Thursday night’s results are perhaps even more fuel in the hunt for a Lombardi Trophy next year.
