The Seahawks had two finalists for NFL defensive player of the year honors, but both Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman finished behind Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, who won the award a year after being named the league’s defensive rookie of year ahead of Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Either Thomas or Sherman likely would have had a better shot of winning if not for other having such an outstanding season—both were named first-team All Pros—but to argue that they cost each other by splitting the vote isn’t entirely accurate either, because Kuechly finished with 19 votes, while Thomas and Sherman combined to earn 11.5.
Colts linebacker Robert Mathis, who led the NFL in sacks this season, finished second behind Kuechly with 11.5 votes, while Thomas was third with 7.5 with St. Louis’ Robert Quinn finishing fourth (6) and Sherman finishing fifth (4).
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