The 15th annual NFL Honors was the last chance for the Detroit Lions to salvage any positivity after a disappointing season. It was only fitting that that night, too, would end in disappointment.
There may not have been a (current) Lion up for Most Valuable Player, but tackle Penei Sewell, pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, defensive tackle D.J. Reader, linebacker Jack Campbell, and linebacker Derrick Barnes were all up for prestigious awards.
Entering Thursday's ceremony, Sewell was the most likely Lion to win an award, as one of the leading candidates for the inaugural Protector of the Year award, given to the league's best offensive lineman. Sewell competed against Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney, Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz, Broncos tackle Garett Bolles, Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, and Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer.
It wasn't meant to be for Sewell, as the honor of being the first recipient of the Protector of the Year award winner going to Thuney, in his first season with the Bears. The future Hall of Fame guard has a legendary résumé that includes three First-Team All-Pros and four Super Bowls across his time with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.
Because Protector of the Year isn't an Associated Press-voted award, how close Sewell came to winning is currently unknown. The award is voted on by a panel that includes offensive line legends like Jason Kelce, Andrew Whitworth, and Orlando Pace.
It's a disappointing result, but Sewell is only 25 years old and just wrapped up his fifth season. He should have plenty of opportunities to win Protector of the Year multiple times in his own Hall of Fame career.
Hutchinson loses out on Defensive and Comeback Player of the Year
Hutchinson was up for two awards: Defensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year, and it shouldn't come as a surprise that he lost both.
Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett was a unanimous selection for Defensive Player of the Year after his record-breaking 23.0-sack season. It's Garrett's second time winning the award, becoming the ninth player to win it multiple times.
Hutchinson (42 points) finished fifth behind Houston Texans' pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. (77), Green Bay Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons (63), and Denver Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto (52).
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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey took home the Comeback Player of the Year award after playing all 17 games one season after missing 13 due to injury. McCaffrey went on to be selected as First-Team All-Pro for an all-purpose player, and helped the battered and injured 49ers to the playoffs. McCaffrey was also a finalist for MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, losing both.
Hutchinson finished second after coming back from a broken leg early in the 2024 season. Hutchinson didn't miss a beat, amassing a career high 14.5 sacks without missing a game. Hutchinson would go on to become a Second-Team All-Pro selection. Hutchinson ultimately received nine first-place votes for a total of 221 points, to McCaffrey's 31 and 395 points.
Campbell, Barnes, and Reader also fell short of winning awards
McCaffrey's winning night was not done as he would also win the USAA Salute to Service award, which Campbell was the Lions' nominee for. The USAA Salute to Service award goes to players who honor and connect with U.S. service members as a part of the NFL's Salute to Service initiative. Similar to the Art Rooney Award and the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, each team has one player nominated.
Barnes was up for the Art Rooney award, which is given to players who exemplify sportsmanship. However, Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker would go home with the award.
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Last, but certainly not least, Reader fell short of becoming the first Lion to win the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, losing to Washington Commanders LB Bobby Wagner.
As the Walter Payton Man of the Year award goes to players who make an impact on the field and in their communities, simply being nominated is one of the highest honors a player can earn. There's no shame in losing out on that award, or the USAA Salute to Service and Art Rooney awards, as the effort players put in will continue to be felt for years to come by those who need it most.
The final chapter of the Lions' 2025 season is officially written. While Super Bowl LX still has to be played, for the Lions, it's now time to look ahead to the 2026 season. The goal remains the same: bring home hardware, preferably the Lombardi trophy. Yet, it would still be cool to see Lions also dominate next year's NFL Honors as well.