The NFL has announced its Players of the Month for December and January, recognizing outstanding performances during the closing stretch of the season. Among the highlighted players is Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, who concluded an impressive season as the league leader in passing yards with 4,918, touchdown passes with 43, completions with 460, and attempts with 652. Burrow's remarkable finish included 1,890 passing yards (averaging 315 per game), 16 touchdown passes, only five interceptions, and a passer rating of 111.2 over his last six games.

Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions emerged as a significant contributor, finishing the season with an NFL-high 16 rushing touchdowns, six of which came in the final six games. During this stretch, Gibbs garnered 674 scrimmage yards, consisting of 439 rushing yards and 235 receiving yards. He also recorded three receiving touchdowns, solidifying his role as a scoring asset for the NFC North champions, who are the top seed in the NFC.

As the Los Angeles Chargers prepared for the playoffs, safety Derwin James played a crucial role, concluding the season with a total of 28 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, an interception, and a fumble recovery during the December and January stretch. Meanwhile, cornerback Jamal Williams had a standout final six games, highlighted by a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown, contributing to his 33 tackles, six sacks, nine tackles for loss, and two pass breakups during the same period.

Jason Sanders of the Miami Dolphins exhibited remarkable efficiency by converting all 15 of his field goal attempts in the last five games, with five of those being from 50 yards or longer, totaling 51 points. Likewise, rookie kicker Evan Karty concluded his inaugural season strongly, making 13 field goals in as many attempts during the last six games, including two from 40-49 yards and three from over 50 yards, in addition to 11 successful extra point conversions.

Christian Kirk of the Jacksonville Jaguars provided encouraging performances for fans, finishing the season with three 100-yard games in his last four appearances. Over the final six contests, he totaled 45 receptions, 593 receiving yards, and five touchdowns, showcasing his receiving prowess.

On the defensive side, the Green Bay Packers' linebacker emerged as a candidate for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, closing his first season effectively. In the last four games, he registered 30 tackles, eight of which were for loss, along with two pass breakups, a sack, an interception, and a fumble recovery, showcasing a commendable defensive impact.

In preparation for the upcoming season, Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot expressed openness to bringing back Kirk Cousins as the backup quarterback to Michael Penix Jr., despite Cousins' significant salary-cap hit in 2025. Observers noted that top-seeded Kansas City resting its starters against Denver led to speculation about a calculated move to block the Bengals from making the playoffs; however, Travis Kelce dismissed such notions.

Joe Brady's recent accomplishments with the Buffalo Bills have caught the attention of teams looking for new head coaches, prompting Bills quarterback Josh Allen to advocate for a temporary “forgetting” of Brady's presence in the league's landscape. While the San Francisco 49ers faced scrutiny over expectations following a tumultuous 2024 season, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan found reasons for optimism despite the challenges.

For the latest updates on league transactions, NFL.com provides a comprehensive overview. The Chicago Bears are preparing to interview Pete Carroll for their vacant head-coaching position, while Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts returned to practice following a concussion. Additionally, NFL.com continues to monitor news and developments concerning coaching and GM vacancies as the 2025 hiring cycle begins. Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs earned offensive honors in the final week of the regular season, and the Broncos are poised to return to the playoffs after nine seasons. Former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller will be on the field again, now as a member of the Buffalo Bills.