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The NFL Rookie of the Year (ROTY) Award is a coveted honor bequeathed to the most outstanding first-year players in the league. Recognized for their immediate impact on the field, winners of this award often go on to have illustrious careers. Understanding the history of the ROTY Award offers insight into the emergence of football’s brightest stars and their contributions to the sport.
The Associated Press (AP) began awarding its version of the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1967, creating a more widely recognized accolade. Over the years, other organizations such as the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) and Sporting News have also issued their own ROTY awards. The AP’s version remains the most esteemed and sought-after honor among them.
The award recognizes an Offensive (OROTY) and Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROTY), acknowledging the best new players on both sides of the ball. The selection process involves votes from a nationwide panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, ensuring the winners have truly impressed the game’s experts.
Some NFL teams have had more success than others in producing top-performing rookies. The following teams have the most ROTY winners:
Detroit Lions: The Lions lead NFL history with seven total NFL Rookie of the Year winners (4 OROTY & 3 DROTY), highlighted by Barry Sanders (1989), who became one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
Minnesota Vikings: With five OROTY winners, the Vikings are the only NFL team to reach this mark. Their winners include iconic players like Randy Moss (1998) and Adrian Peterson (2007), who both went on to become some of the best at their respective positions.
New York Jets: The Jets boast five DROTY winners, making them the only NFL team to achieve this. The Jets have produced a DROTY in five straight decades, going back to defensive back Erik McMillan in 1988. Most recently, defensive back Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner captured the award in 2022.
Jim Brown (1957): As the first-ever recipient of the ROTY Award, Jim Brown set the standard for excellence. Brown’s rookie season was a sign of things to come, as he dominated the league for years and is still considered one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
Lawrence Taylor (1981): Taylor’s rookie year was nothing short of extraordinary. His aggressive style of play and game-changing abilities earned him the NFL Rookie of the Year Award and later helped him secure two Super Bowl titles with the Giants. Taylor’s influence on the game is profound, making him one of the greatest defensive players ever.
Ben Roethlisberger (2004): Roethlisberger’s debut season included a remarkable 13-0 record as a starter, earning him the ROTY Award. He would later lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to two Super Bowl victories and establish himself as one of the top quarterbacks of his era.
Joey Bosa (2016) and Nick Bosa (2019): The Bosa brothers have significantly impacted the NFL with their defensive prowess. Joey Bosa, drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, and Nick Bosa, drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, both won the Defensive ROTY Award in their debut seasons. Their powerful presence on the field has made them household names and critical components of their teams’ defenses.
Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner (2022): The New York Jets made history by having both the Offensive and Defensive ROTY winners in the same year. Despite uncertain and poor quarterback play, wide receiver Garrett Wilson secured 83 catches for 1,103 yards, while cornerback Sauce Gardner showcased exceptional talent shadowing and limiting stud top-target receivers across the league.
C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson (2023): The Houston Texans achieved a remarkable feat by following the Jets with both the Offensive and Defensive NFL Rookie of the Year winners in 2023. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and linebacker Will Anderson brought the team a new energy level and skill, quickly becoming fan favorites and demonstrating the Texans’ bright future. Stroud eclipsed 4,000 passing yards, while Anderson totaled seven sacks.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.