Lions' 2022 Season Awards

Read more on the superlatives from the Detroit Lions' 2022 season.

The Detroit Lions surprised many with their 9-8 finish to the 2022 season. A 1-6 start to the season didn’t faze the team, as head coach Dan Campbell rallied the troops to win eight of their final 10 games.

Along the thrilling ride, there were several players who ascended to a higher level of play. The Lions have plenty to be encouraged with, given the performance of the young team.

Here are the All Lions' season superlatives for the Detroit Lions’ 2022 season. 

Offensive Player of the Year: Jared Goff, QB

Stats: 4,438 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, seven interceptions

Goff enjoyed a hot start to the year, cooled off during the middle weeks and then played some of the best football of his career over the final nine games. During that span, he avoided throwing even one interception.

With an improved cast of playmakers around him, the seventh-year signal-caller showed better chemistry with the wide receivers, along with new offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The Lions' offense soared to a top-10 level, as the veteran improved his connection with Amon-Ra St. Brown and fostered one with offseason addition DJ Chark.

Goff’s impact on the offense makes him this year’s "Offensive Player of the Year.” He was turnover free in the team’s biggest games this season, while providing a steady presence as a leader.

Finalists: RB Jamaal Williams, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown

Defensive Player of the Year: Aidan Hutchinson, DE

Stats: 9.5 sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries

Hutchinson was everything the Lions’ coaching staff hoped he’d be in his first professional season. Campbell praised his “football player” mentality, one that came to light as the Michigan product did a little bit of everything.

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In addition to his team-best 9.5 sacks, Hutchinson also flashed his athleticism with a trio of interceptions. He never stopped improving over the course of the season, notching four of his sacks across the final six games.

Hutchinson made plenty of highlight plays over the course of the season that should excite Lions fans for the future. He seems to embody what the team is looking for culturally, but must continue to play at a high level as the Lions hope to revamp what was one of the league’s worst defenses.

Finalists: S DeShon Elliott, LB Alex Anzalone

Rookie of the Year: Hutchinson

Hutchinson isn’t a runaway winner in this category. Detroit asked a lot of its 2022 draft class and got plenty in return. Along with Hutchinson, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez was a day one starter.

After Tracy Walker III went down, Kerby Joseph stepped in as the everyday starter at safety. James Houston, who spent the first 11 weeks on the practice squad, notched eight sacks over the season’s final seven games.

Offensively, James Mitchell and Jameson Williams flashed their potential in limited opportunities. Both entered the league coming off injuries, so expect more from each of them in 2023.

Finalists: S Kerby Joseph, DE James Houston, LB Malcolm Rodriguez

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Most Improved Player: RB Jamaal Williams

Stats: 1,066 rushing yards, 17 touchdowns

Williams was already an endearing character to the Lions fanbase, because of the emotion he plays with. But, he took his fame to another level with a breakout campaign in 2022.

He notched 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career, and set the franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a single season with 17. With D’Andre Swift dealing with lingering injuries, Williams showed he’s capable of being an every-down back.

Williams is set to be a free agent this offseason, so expect the Lions to make a large effort to bring him back. Not only was he an excellent force on the field, but he had as large an impact on the team off the field with his leadership.

Finalists: WR Kalif Raymond, CB Jeff Okudah

Assistant Coach of the Year: Ben Johnson

Johnson was a resounding success in his first year as offensive coordinator. Under his guidance, the Lions finished in the top 10 in several categories, including points per game, yards per game, red-zone touchdown percentage and passing yards per game.

He showed he’s creative, finding unique ways to get the ball to skill players like D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Over the course of the year, Lions fans were treated to plenty of creative play-designs, with a pass to Penei Sewell and a hook-and-ladder from St. Brown to Swift in the finale serving as prime examples.

Unfortunately for the Lions, Johnson’s phenomenal campaign may have been good enough to get him a head coaching job. There are reports that the Carolina Panthers could come calling, and he’s already interviewed with the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans.

Finalists: Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard, tight ends coach Tanner Engstrand

Moment of the Year: Lions stun Packers at Lambeau in season finale

In a season where the second half featured many highs, none reached the pinnacle like Detroit’s season-ending win over the rival Packers. That win took a little bit of everything, with the defense creating a turnover and the offense making key plays at key times.

Jamaal Williams scored the go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, and rookie safety Kerby Joseph picked off future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the clock ticking under four minutes.

It was a big day for Williams, who broke the single-season rushing touchdown record with two in the finale against his former team.

The Lions hit on the hook-and-ladder to create a third-and-short, then converted on fourth down to seal the victory. It was a phenomenal end to what was the ultimate turnaround over the season’s final 10 weeks.

Many Lions players stayed after the game to celebrate with fans, including Hutchinson who did the famed "Lambeau Leap" into a sea of Lions fans.

Finalists: Penei Sewell's first-down catch vs. Vikings, Comeback win at Chicago for Campbell’s first road win as HC