Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who had an outstanding season in 2024 after missing most of the second half of the 2023 season after a wrist injury, was selected as the 2025 George Halas Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).
Burrow, the 57th Halas Award winner, is the third member of the Bengals franchise to receive the honor from the PFWA, joining Tim Krumrie (1990) and Mike Zimmer (2010).
Other 2025 finalists for the Halas Award were Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold and Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins.
The Halas Award is given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed. The award is named for Halas, a charter member (1963) of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who was associated with the Chicago Bears and NFL from their inception in 1920 until his death in 1983 as an owner, manager, player and promoter. Halas won 324 games and six NFL titles in 40 seasons as a coach.
The Halas Award is one of the two oldest awards presented by the PFWA, along with the Bill Nunn Jr. Award, presented to a reporter who has made a long and distinguished contribution to pro football through coverage.
Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in the 10th game of the 2023 season, which required surgery and an extensive rehab process. He returned to action in time to start the 2024 preseason opener, and he went on to set Cincinnati regular season team records while leading the NFL in passing attempts (652), completions (460), passing yards (4918) and TD passes (43). Burrow was twice named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month (November, December/January), and he was voted as the PFWA's 2024 Comeback Player of the Year.
GEORGE HALAS AWARD WINNERS
(To the NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed) Year indicates when award was presented for previous season: 1969 – Joe Namath (New York Jets); 1970 – Gale Sayers (Chicago Bears); 1971 – Tom Dempsey (New Orleans Saints); 1972 – Jimmy Johnson (San Francisco 49ers); 1973 - Mike Tilleman (Atlanta Falcons); 1974 – Dick Butkus (Chicago Bears); 1975 – Rocky Bleier (Pittsburgh Steelers); 1976 – Billy Kilmer (Washington Redskins); 1977 – Tom DeLeone (Cleveland Browns); 1978 – Pat Fischer (Washington Redskins); 1979 – Bert Jones (Baltimore Colts); 1980 – Roger Staubach (Dallas Cowboys); 1981 – Rolf Benirschke (San Diego Chargers); 1982 – Joe Klecko (New York Jets); 1983 – Eddie Lee Ivery (Green Bay Packers); 1984 – Ted Hendricks (Los Angeles Raiders); 1985 – John Stallworth (Pittsburgh Steelers); 1986 – Gary Jeter (Los Angeles Rams); 1987 – William Andrews (Atlanta Falcons); 1988 – Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers); 1989 – Karl Nelson (New York Giants); 1990 – Tim Krumrie (Cincinnati Bengals); 1991 – Dan Hampton (Chicago Bears); 1992 – Mike Utley (Detroit Lions); 1993 – Mark Bavaro (Cleveland Browns); 1994 – Joe Montana (San Francisco 49ers); 1995 – Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins); 1996 – Larry Brown (Oakland Raiders); 1997 – Jim Harbaugh (Indianapolis Colts); 1998 – Mark Schlereth (Denver Broncos); 1999 – Dan Reeves (Atlanta Falcons); 2000 – Bryant Young (San Francisco 49ers); 2001 – Kerry Collins (New York Giants); 2002 – Garrison Hearst (San Francisco 49ers); 2003 – Robert Edwards (Miami Dolphins); 2004 – Sam Mills (Carolina Panthers); 2005 – Mark Fields (Carolina Panthers); 2006 – Tony Dungy (Indianapolis Colts); 2007 – Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints); 2008 – Kevin Everett (Buffalo Bills); 2009 – Matt Bryant (Tampa Bay Buccaneers); 2010 – Mike Zimmer (Cincinnati Bengals); 2011 – Mike Heimerdinger (Tennessee Titans); 2012 – Robert Kraft (New England Patriots); 2013 – Chuck Pagano (Indianapolis Colts); 2014 – O.J. Brigance (Baltimore Ravens); 2015 – Steve Gleason (New Orleans Saints); 2016 – Eric Berry (Kansas City Chiefs); 2017 – David Quessenberry (Houston Texans); 2018 – Marquise Goodwin (San Francisco 49ers); 2019 – Ryan Shazier (Pittsburgh Steelers); 2020 – Travis Frederick (Dallas Cowboys); 2021 – Alex Smith (Washington Football Team); 2022 – Ron Rivera (Washington Football Team); 2023 – Damar Hamlin (Buffalo Bills); 2024 – John Metchie III (Houston Texans); 2025 – Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
ABOUT THE PFWA
In its 62nd season in 2025, the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) is the official voice of pro football writers, promoting and fighting for access to NFL personnel to best serve the public. The PFWA is made up of accredited writers who cover the NFL and the 32 teams daily. Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post is the PFWA president for the 2025-26 seasons and the organization's 32nd president. Mike Jones (The Athletic) is the PFWA's first vice president, Stephen Holder (ESPN.com) is the second vice president, Lindsay Jones (The Ringer) is the advisor to the president and Mike Sando (The Athletic) is the secretary-treasurer. At-large board members include Jeff Legwold (ESPN.com), Joe Reedy (Associated Press), Calvin Watkins (Dallas Morning News) and Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk.com). Follow the PFWA at ProFootballWriters.org and on Twitter/X at @PFWAwriters.
See the best shots from Bengals QB Joe Burrow from the 2024 season

QB Joe Burrow celebrates a Week 17 over the Denver Broncos, Saturday, December 28, 2024.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow gestures forward against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, Sunday, September 15, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow smiles after a Week 9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, November 3, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow escapes and completes a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9 at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, November 3, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, December 28, 2024

QB Joe Burrow celebrates a Week 17 over the Denver Broncos, Saturday, December 28, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow throws a touchdown to WR Tee Higgins in the first quarter against the Browns in Week 16, Sunday, December 22, 2024.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)

QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja'Marr Chase celebrate a Week 14 over the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, December 9, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow arrives at AT&T Stadium ahead of the Bengals Week 14 primetime matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, December 9, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow throws the ball during the Bengals Week 13 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, December 1, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow celebrates a a touchdown run in the first quarter of a Week 6 game against the New York Giants, Sunday, October 13, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow before a Week 6 game against the New York Giants, Sunday, October 13, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow avoids pressure against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4, Sunday, September 29, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow signs autographs for fans.

QB Joe Burrow looks to throw against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, Sunday, October 27, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow walks into the tunnel during Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, October 6, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow throws on the run in Week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, November 7, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow celebrates a touchdown in Week 1 against the New England Patriots, Sunday, September 8, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow throws on the run against the Chargers in Los Angeles in Week 11, Sunday, November 17, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow lunges for a first down against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, Sunday, October 27, 2024.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow celebrates a touchdown pass during Cincinnati's Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, October 6, 2024.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow scrambles during Cincinnati's Week 1 game against the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, September 8, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja'Marr Chase celebrate a touchdown against the Panthers in Carolina in Week 4, Sunday, September 29, 2024.

QB Joe Burrow ahead of the Bengals Week 6 primetime game against the Giants in New York, Sunday, October 13, 2024.