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)