Eagles Rookie Andrew Mukuba Sparks Debate: Did Derrick Henry Deserve Offensive Player of the Year?
Philadelphia, PA – June 2, 2025 – There’s a storm brewing in Philly! A viral video has thrust Philadelphia Eagles rookie safety Andrew Mukuba into the spotlight, with the second-round pick boldly claiming that Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry was “robbed” of the 2024 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. The comments, captured before his draft, have ignited heated discussions among Eagles fans and reopened debates about last season’s voting.
Mukuba, selected 64th overall by the Eagles in the 2025 NFL Draft, made the statement during a pre-draft interview at the NFL Combine. When asked about his pick for a hypothetical NFL award, the 6-foot, 185-pound Texas standout said, “Derrick Henry,” adding, “He got robbed,” according to a clip now trending across X and social media platforms.
Here’s the context: Eagles star Saquon Barkley clinched the 2024 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year at the NFL Honors on February 6, 2025, dominating with 35 first-place votes and 406 points, per AP. Henry, a finalist, posted an impressive 2,114 yards from scrimmage, including 1,636 rushing yards and a league-best 5.9 yards per carry, but finished fourth with 92 points, per NFL.com.
The video, shared by NFLBuzz on June 1, 2025, has created some awkward tension—Mukuba’s teammate Barkley was the winner! Reactions on X are pouring in: “Mukuba calling out Saquon’s award? That’s bold!” one user wrote, while another snapped, “Saquon deserved it—focus on the field, rookie!” Ravens fans, meanwhile, are backing Mukuba, pointing to Henry’s dominance and claiming voter bias favored Barkley’s 2,005-yard rushing season.
The 22-year-old safety, a First-Team All-Big 12 pick at Texas, brought a stellar resume with 69 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 12 pass deflections in his final college season, per ESPN. Eagles GM Howie Roseman drafted him to bolster a secondary impacted by C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s trade, pairing him with Reed Blankenship, per SI.com.
Henry’s case was strong—2,114 scrimmage yards, second only to Barkley, with a punishing style that wore down defenses. But Barkley’s historic 2,000-yard rushing mark, 13 touchdowns, and key role in Philly’s Super Bowl LIX win swayed voters, who also valued his versatility, per AP.
Now an Eagle, Mukuba finds himself in a tricky spot. His pre-draft praise for a rival star, contrasted with teammate Barkley’s win, has sparked intrigue. “Mukuba’s got a point, but he’s gotta back Saquon now,” an X user noted, capturing the tension as Philly fans rally behind their Offensive Player of the Year.
Will Mukuba’s viral claim fuel Henry’s 2025 campaign, or will it create ripples in the Eagles’ locker room? As Philly eyes another Super Bowl run, Mukuba’s tape—blazing speed and 7 pass breakups at Texas—suggests he’ll let his play do the talking. Stay tuned for the fallout!
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