Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons and New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter were recognized as some of the NFL's best, being named finalists for The Associate Press' NFL awards. The list for all awards was released on Thursday, Jan. 22.
The former Penn State football players will find out if they won their respective awards on Feb. 5 at NFL Honors. The award show will air live on NBC and NFL Network on 9 p.m. ET. It can also be streamed on Peacock and NFL+.
Green Bay Packers DE Micah Parsons named finalist for 2025 AP Defensive Player of the Year
Parsons was named one of five finalists for Defensive Player of the Year. Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr., Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, and Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson were also named finalists for DPOY.
Parsons suffered a torn ACL injury in Week 15, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. However, over 14 games and 13 starts, the former Nittany Lion still did enough to earn a spot among the top five defensemen of the year. In his first season as a Packer, Parsons registered 41 tackles, 26 quarterback hits, 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one pass defensed.
Parsons repped the blue and white from 2018-19 and was a first round selection of the 2021 NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys chose him 12th overall. He and the Cowboys had a dramatic split ahead of the 2025 season.
New York Giants LB Abdul Carter named finalist for 2025 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
Carter got his first taste of the NFL in 2025. He, Seattle Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori, Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr., Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, and Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts were named finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
In his first pro season, Carter played in all 17 games for the Giants and started in six matchups. He logged 43 tackles, 23 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, and two fumble recoveries.
Carter was a three-year player for the Nittany Lions from 2022-24. New York selected him third overall of the 2025 NFL Draft in the first round.