NEWSLETTER
On Sunday, I submitted my ballots for the 2024 Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) on-field awards. The PFWA on-field awards feature the major individual awards, all-conference teams, and all-rookie teams.
As I did last season, I will share with you the Chicago Bears players I voted for. But first, here are the Bears I voted for last year.
- DJ Moore — Most Improved Player
- Jaylon Johnson — All-NFL, All-NFC Team(s)
- Montez Sweat — All-NFC Team
- Darnell Wright — All-Rookie Team
Darnell Wright was named to the All-Rookie Team, and Jaylon Johnson was named to the All-NFC Team, but Baker Mayfield took home the Most Improved Player award, and Nick Bosa and Aidan Hutchinson beat Montez Sweat out for the two spots on the All-NFC Team at defensive end.
Here are the Chicago Bears who received votes from me for the PFWA honors this season:
Which Chicago Bears Received Votes on My PFWA Awards Ballot?
Jaylon Johnson — All-NFC Team
Jaylon Johnson entered the season with sky-high expectations—I had him pegged for a first-team All-Pro selection—but like many Bears, he fell short of those expectations. Still, Johnson turned in another exceptional season despite not hitting the ceiling I had projected for him. Johnson was recently named a second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press and named to the NFC’s Pro Bowl Games roster.
Johnson’s 74.2 coverage grade ranked in the top 20 among all cornerbacks at PFF, and he finished the season with 53 tackles and a pair of interceptions. Johnson held opposing receivers to a 62.7 percent catch rate this season, played all 17 games, logged four pass breakups, and was only penalized three times.
Johnson took a step back from his incredible 2023 season but was still one of the best corners in football and worthy of an All-NFC selection.
Tory Taylor — All-Rookie Team
The Tory Taylor selection has been the source of much criticism for Bears General Manager Ryan Poles this season, but that’s mainly due to the holes on the offensive and defensive line that led to many of the team’s shortcomings this season and the idea that that pick could have been used to address one of those needs. Which isn’t an invalid opinion, but it is what it is.
That concern aside, Taylor was the best rookie punter in the NFL, averaging 47.7 yards per punt on a whopping 82 punts. So much for Caleb Williams’ decree on draft day that Taylor wouldn’t be punting much this season.
Taylor was busy this season, and his average was impacted by the egregious amount of attempts that he had to make. Of those 82 punts, 38 of them pinned the opponent inside their own 20-yard line. So, roughly 46 percent of the time, Taylor gave the Bears’ defense a favorable field position with more than 80 yards to defend. Impressive, considering how putrid the Bears offense was at times this season.
In a season where most fell short of expectations, Johnson and Taylor were the only Bears I could vote for this time. I will keep the rest of my ballot under wraps for the time being, but since there will be plenty of Bears-adjacent conversation regarding the Rookie of the Year selection, I will discuss my vote there.
Yes, I voted for Jayden Daniels for the PFWA Rookie of the Year …
I voted for Jayden Daniels as the PFWA Rookie of the Year and for him as the lone quarterback selection for the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Does that mean the Bears made the wrong pick last April, or that I see Jayden Daniels as a better quarterback than Caleb Williams long-term?
Absolutely not.
Two things can be true. This is one of those scenarios.
1. Jayden Daniels had an excellent rookie season, helped his team win 12 games and reach the playoffs. He also helped the Commanders win a playoff game Sunday night after I submitted my ballot. So, credit where credit is due.
2. Caleb Williams also had an excellent rookie season, and I still see him as a higher-ceiling quarterback prospect than Jayden Daniels.
The only Jayden vs. Caleb argument I’ll entertain after one season is that Daniels’ floor may be higher than Williams. That’s it. Nothing else. Daniels earned my vote, and I’m sure most PFWA voters will feel the same way.
That means nothing regarding Daniels’ and Williams’ long-term outlooks. It doesn’t mean the Bears made the wrong selection, either. Perspective is important.
Here’s the schedule for the 2024 PFWA on-Field Awards Announcements:
Monday, January 20: All-NFL, All-AFC, All-NFC teams
Tuesday, January 21: Rookie of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, All-Rookie Team
Wednesday, January 22: Most Valuable Player, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year
Thursday, January 23: Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year
Friday, January 24: Comeback Player of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year
