NFL Awful Awards: Handing out gongs to the worst of the worst

The NFL can be great. It can also suck - consistently and without mercy.

And the 2017 season was one of the suckiest years in recent memory. The officiating was consistently terrible, stars like J.J. Watt, Aaron Rodgers, and Deshaun Watson went down with injuries seemingly every week, and President Donald Trump took every opportunity to attack the league and its protesting players.

So, let's celebrate everything that was bad about the 2017 season with the NFL Awful Awards, looking at some of the worst personnel moves, decisions, and players from the campaign:

Worst coaching decision

And the award goes to ... Sean McDermott starting rookie Nathan Peterman

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott may have been the only person on the planet who thought it was smart to bench Tyrod Taylor for Peterman as a response to his defense giving up 47 points the week prior.

Disaster was predicted, but few could have foreseen how quickly and spectacularly Peterman would implode as he threw five interceptions in the first half. If Andy Dalton hadn't saved the Bills' season, McDermott's horrendous call likely would've ensured another playoff-less January. - Browne

Biggest draft bust

And the award goes to ... John Ross

Billed as the fastest receiver in the draft, the No. 9 overall pick contributed zero receptions, zero yards, zero touchdowns, and a lost fumble on one rushing attempt in his rookie campaign for the Cincinnati Bengals. - Chippin

Worst social media presence

And the award goes to ... Russell Wilson

Wilson seems like a good guy, but his Twitter account is like being stuck in an awkward conversation with that weird but well-meaning cousin at a family dinner. From his cringy "inspirational" selfie videos to his constant promotional tweets, Wilson is social media at its worst.

Also, did you know Wilson is married to Ciara?! - Browne

Cringiest team celebration

And the award goes to ... JuJu Smith-Schuster and Martavis Bryant

Smith-Schuster thought it would be a good idea to recreate his illegal hit on Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict - which landed him a one-game suspension - along with Bryant after a touchdown versus the New England Patriots. - Chippin

The Albert Haynesworth award

And the award goes to ... Mike Glennon

Kenny Britt didn't even last one season with the Cleveland Browns, Terrelle Pryor bet big on himself and lost, and the Carolina Panthers somehow paid $55.5 million to Matt Kalil - but Glennon was a free-agent bust that stood far above the others.

The quarterback earned a whopping $18.5 million for just four poor starts, and while the Bears likely aren't sweating the cost with Mitch Trubisky in the building, it remains a mind-bogglingly poor decision. - Browne

The Triplette

And the award goes to ... Gene Steratore and his index card

Steratore using an index card to measure for a first down in the year 2017 highlighted an atrocious season for NFL officials. - Chippin

Worst play of the year

And the award goes to ... Corey Coleman's drop to seal 0-16 season

Sure, there were worse plays if viewed in a vacuum, but Coleman's drop had everything. It was on fourth down from the Pittsburgh Steelers' 27-yard line with the Browns down just four points and less than two minutes remaining, DeShone Kizer made one of his best plays of the year to avoid pressure and give Cleveland a shot at the win, and it was the simplest of catches.

As painful as it was for Browns fans and Coleman, there couldn't have been a more fitting end to Cleveland's 0-16 season. - Browne

Most disappointing team

And the award goes to ... Oakland Raiders

The Raiders may have been a healthy Derek Carr right leg away from going to the Super Bowl last year, but they regressed to 6-10 in 2017 despite a promising offseason that saw Marshawn Lynch come out of retirement to join his hometown team. - Chippin

Worst coach of the year

And the award goes to ... Ben McAdoo

Hue Jackson didn't win a game, but McAdoo feuded with players, ruled with a destructive iron fist, and somehow got the entire league to feel sorry for a two-time Super Bowl-winning millionaire by utterly botching the benching of Eli Manning. - Browne

Least Valuable Player

And the award goes to ... Jay Cutler

Granted, the Miami Dolphins were noticeably worse in the one game they played without Cutler, but Adam Gase had to be expecting better than 19 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, an 80.8 passer rating, and a 6-10 record when he signed the veteran pivot to a one-year, $15-million contract following Ryan Tannehill's injury. - Chippin

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)