Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney had a career year.
Same for Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph. Both were recognized as first-team All-Pro players after the 2024 season. Joseph was first and McKinney was second in the NFL in interceptions.
But when the finalists were announced for the Associated Press' NFL Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday, neither were anywhere to be found.
Safety is still a defensive position, right? And there's more to defense than sacks and tackles, right? To the voters, it doesn't appear so.