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National Football League - Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year Award

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The National Football League (NFL) is the highest level of professional American football in the United States. It was formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing its name to the National Football League in 1922. The league currently consists of thirty-two teams from the United States. The league is divided into two conferences, the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC).

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NFL - Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year Award


The Sporting News began awarding a National Football League (NFL) player of the year award in 1954. From 1970 to 1979, The Sporting News chose American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) players of the year returning to a single winner in 1980. Beginning in 2008 The Sporting News chose an offensive player of the year and a defensive player of the year.

National Football League - Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year Award

Season Player/Coach Position League Team
2024-2025 Myles Garrett DE NFL Cleveland Browns
2023-2024 Myles Garrett DE NFL Cleveland Browns
2022-2023 Nick Bosa DE NFL San Francisco 49ers
2021-2022 T.J. Watt OLB NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
2020-2021 Aaron Donald DT NFL Los Angeles Rams
2019-2020 Stephon Gilmore CB NFL New England Patriots
2018-2019 Aaron Donald DT NFL Los Angeles Rams
2017-2018 Calais Campbell LDE NFL Jacksonville Jaguars
2016-2017 Khalil Mack OLB NFL Oakland Raiders
2015-2016 J.J. Watt DE NFL Houston Texans
2014-2015 J.J. Watt DE NFL Houston Texans
2013-2014 Luke Kuechly ILB NFL Carolina Panthers
2012-2013 J.J. Watt DE NFL Houston Texans
2011-2012 Jared Allen RDE NFL Minnesota Vikings
2010-2011 Clay Matthews ROLB NFL Green Bay Packers
2009-2010 Charles Woodson LCB NFL Green Bay Packers
2008-2009 Albert Haynesworth RDT NFL Tennessee Titans