In my 20+ years of being a Washington Football Team fan this is the first time I have witnessed competence from top to bottom of this organization (outside of Owner Daniel Snyder). From Team President all the way down to the Kicker with some holes in between that will be addressed in the offseason (like the General Manager position). I’m excited to say there will be consistency for years to come. This has led to many accomplishments this season like becoming the NFC East Champions and individual awards that this coach and these players hopefully will receive.

 

Chase Young, Rookie of the Year

Chase Young from PG County, MD has lived up to his expectations as the No. 2 overall pick this past draft. Entering his battle against Tom Brady this Saturday he currently has 7.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 1 touchdown. He’s been nothing but a monster on the field with his game saving play making abilities like what he showcased against Pittsburgh stopping Benny Snell Jr. on a 4th and goal. Young has helped lead a defense that ranks 4th in the league.

 

Alex Smith, Comeback Player of the Year

This might possibly be the easiest award to give out in the history of its inception. I think everybody knows the story of Alex Smith almost losing his leg. Multiple infections and surgeries were performed to save his leg. We would all understand if he retired but instead he came back on the field like a boss to lead this Football Team to the playoffs. Disregard the record because as a starter Smith is 5-1. This award should have literally been handed to him right after his first play in week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams.

 

Ron Rivera, Coach of the Year

Rivera dealt with a lot both on and off the field this season. We are all thankful he was able to beat Cancer. Coaching a professional football team (especially this team) is already tough as it is but doing it while going through chemo therapy is something else.

Of course playing and coaching in Washington is never “normal”. Coach Rivera had to deal with a lot as soon as he signed his contract. There is so much drama in Washington all the time I feel like I’m going to miss something here. Ron Rivera had to deal with…

• Derrius Guice Sexual Assault report (when he was in college)
• Decades long sexual harassment scandals that were revealed by the Washington Post
• The Washington Football Team name change
• Dwayne Haskins constant distractions

Dealing with players like Guice and Haskins is a part of the job as a head coach of a football team. But dealing with a team name changing that has a racist history and a decades long sexual harassment cases which involved the owner and employees that had nothing to do with Rivera is something entirely different. He had no business answering questions from the media and dealing with the situation but he handled it like a pro. With no Team President half the time as well. I questioned if he ever had time to actually coach the Football Team. As the NFC East Championship shows he did. Giving a dysfunctional team hope for years to come is enough for Ron Rivera to be Coach of the Year.

My bias for Ron Rivera to win Coach of the Year is showing a lot here. Where would you rank Ron Rivera for the Coach of the Year award? Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to Amazon or fanatics.com. Contest Ending January 31st.