The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), a group of reporters and writers who cover the NFL and its teams, has recently unveiled the 2024 player awards, featuring the prestigious All-NFL and all-conference teams for both the AFC and NFC. These teams highlight the league's most exceptional talents, showcasing the standout performers of the season. However, as is often the case, some players and teams did not make the cut, leaving fans to wonder why certain names were left off the list. One of the most surprising omissions this year came from the Arizona Cardinals, who saw two of their key stars—safety Budda Baker and tight end Trey McBride—snubbed from both the All-NFL and All-NFC teams. Despite impressive individual performances, neither player was recognized for their outstanding seasons.
Budda Baker's Notable Absence
Budda Baker, the veteran safety for the Arizona Cardinals, was one of the more puzzling exclusions from the All-NFL and All-NFC teams. The 2024 season was a remarkable one for Baker, who piled up 164 tackles, including 95 solo tackles, showcasing his relentless playmaking ability on defense. He also broke up five passes during the year. While these stats would earn recognition from many, it wasn’t enough to secure a spot on the prestigious lists. Instead, players like Detroit's Brian Branch and Green Bay's Xavier McKinney were selected over him.
Branch had a standout season, racking up 108 tackles and showcasing his ability to disrupt the passing game with four interceptions and 16 pass breakups. Meanwhile, McKinney was even more impressive, finishing the season with a whopping eight interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and 88 total tackles. The sheer volume of production and the impact these players had on their respective defenses likely tipped the scale in their favor. However, one could argue that Baker’s total tackles and his leadership on the field still make him a worthy contender. Despite the snub from the PFWA, it’s important to note that Baker's stellar season did not go entirely unnoticed, as he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the seventh consecutive year and earned second-team All-Pro honors. So while he might have missed out on the ultimate accolade, his reputation remains strong, and his achievements on the field continue to impress.
Trey McBride's Tight End Snub
Another Arizona Cardinals player who found himself on the outside looking in was tight end Trey McBride. While McBride's season was nothing short of stellar, with 111 catches for 1,146 yards and two touchdowns, he was passed over for top honors in favor of other tight ends. Notably, rookie Brock Bowers from Las Vegas, who enjoyed a breakout year with 112 receptions, 1,194 yards, and five touchdowns, claimed the top tight end spot. Bowers' remarkable performance, especially as a rookie, earned him widespread praise and certainly made him one of the most exciting players of the season.
But McBride’s case is a bit more complicated. While Bowers had the edge in overall production, McBride's consistency and impressive stats could have justified his inclusion as well. The fact that McBride put up nearly identical numbers to Bowers, with just a few less catches and yards, speaks to his abilities and growth as a key target for the Cardinals. On top of that, McBride was also overlooked for San Francisco’s George Kittle, who posted a solid 78 catches, 1,106 yards, and eight touchdowns. Kittle has been one of the league’s premier tight ends for years, making it difficult for any newcomer to surpass his longstanding excellence.
Why Did McBride and Baker Miss the Cut?
The exclusion of both Baker and McBride from the All-NFL and All-NFC teams brings to light an important aspect of NFL player recognition: success as a team matters. While both players had excellent individual seasons, the Cardinals’ overall performance likely played a significant role in their lack of recognition. With only eight wins on the season, the Cardinals struggled to make an impact in the competitive NFC, and as a result, their top performers didn’t get the attention they perhaps deserved. In contrast, players on teams that enjoyed greater success, like Branch and McKinney, gained more visibility and had their strong individual performances highlighted by the team’s overall achievements.
It's a harsh reality for players like Baker and McBride, who may have been statistically comparable or even superior in some aspects to their counterparts, but lacked the team success to boost their candidacies. Awards like these often require a combination of personal excellence and a competitive team effort, and when a player is on a team that doesn’t make much noise in the standings, their individual efforts can sometimes be overlooked.
The Case for McBride and Baker
Despite their exclusion from the All-NFL and All-NFC teams, it’s important to recognize just how valuable both Baker and McBride are to the Arizona Cardinals. Baker, with his relentless tackling and leadership in the secondary, has been one of the league’s top safeties for years. He continues to be a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ defense, and his Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections are a testament to his long-standing excellence. While he may have been snubbed for a spot on the prestigious All-NFL and All-NFC teams, it’s clear that his peers, coaches, and fans still recognize his greatness.
Similarly, McBride’s breakout season proved that he is one of the league’s most promising tight ends. With his impressive numbers, including over 1,100 receiving yards and more than 100 catches, McBride solidified his place as one of the Cardinals’ top offensive weapons. The future looks bright for McBride, and while he may have missed out on All-NFC recognition this time around, his performance this season sets the stage for even greater success in the years to come.
The Impact of Team Success
Ultimately, the absence of these two talented players from the All-NFL and All-NFC teams is a reflection of the importance of team success in earning accolades like these. While both Baker and McBride delivered remarkable performances, their individual efforts weren’t enough to elevate the Arizona Cardinals to a level where their players could garner the same recognition as those on teams that performed better in the standings. This serves as a reminder of how much the NFL awards are influenced by team success and how players on winning teams often get more opportunities to shine in the eyes of those who vote on these prestigious honors.
In the end, the 2024 player awards from the Pro Football Writers of America are a celebration of the top talent in the NFL, but they also show how the dynamics of team performance can impact individual recognition. While Baker and McBride may have been snubbed this time around, their efforts have not gone unnoticed by those who follow the game closely. As the NFL continues to evolve, players like them will undoubtedly have more chances to showcase their skills and receive the recognition they deserve. For now, it’s a matter of waiting for the team success to match their individual brilliance.
The road to future recognition may be tough, but with their talent, determination, and leadership, both Budda Baker and Trey McBride will continue to make their mark on the NFL and prove that individual excellence can shine through, even in the face of adversity.
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