Chiefs’ Mahomes wins NFL MVP award in landslide after breakout year

ATLANTA — Patrick Mahomes’ breathtaking breakthrough season earned him the NFL’s MVP award.

The Chiefs quarterback landed a pair of honours Saturday night, taking The Associated Press MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards. In his second pro season, Mahomes led Kansas City to its first AFC title game since 1993 with some of the most creative and clutch plays the league has seen in years.

Mahomes received 41 votes from a nationwide panel of media members. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees got the other nine.

With only one previous start, Mahomes threw for 50 touchdowns, 5,097 yards and had a 113.8 QB rating, trailing only Brees.

He was also selected as the top offensive player, beating Brees 30 votes to 16.

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald took his second straight Defensive Player of the Year award.

Chicago’s Matt Nagy, in his first season with the Bears, was voted Coach of the Year.

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck was chosen the Comeback Player of the Year, following a lost 2017 season to a shoulder injury with a sensational 2018 campaign.

Giants running back Saquon Barkley was the top offensive rookie, while the defensive rookie award went to Indianapolis linebacker Darius Leonard.

For his work as defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears, new Denver head coach Vic Fangio won the Assistant Coach of the Year award.