Every year Nilbog’s members vote on GM of the Year. The award comes with a custom trophy and a cash award equal to double the buy-in. The purpose of the award is to give owners a chance to win back their buy-in for trying their best and showcasing good stewardship. It also encourages GMs to stick with rebuilds instead of orphaning teams since a successful rebuild can net you a cash reward regardless of how you perform in the playoffs.
Previous Winners
To see what it takes, let’s take a brief look at why GMs won in previous years.
(Regular Season Record, Playoff Seed, Season Finish)
2019: Tim (9-3, Division, 4th)
TSteggs was awarded the first GMOTY award directly by the commissioner in 2019. The basis for recognition was scoring the most points-for in the regular season and never having a week under 100 points. It was immediately obvious that scoring 100+ every week would be an incredibly difficult achievement to replicate, and it stands as one of Nilbog’s greatest accomplishments having only been repeated two other times (DReid 2020 & 2021).
2020: Ben (12-1, Conference, 4th)
Heff was awarded the second GMOTY award directly by the commissioner in 2020. The basis for recognition was the incredible stewardship of the GM in turning a team that went 5-7 the year before into a 12-1 powerhouse. The award was not without minor controversy, with some arguing it should have gone to DReid who achieved the first ever undefeated regular season.
2021: Plumley (9-5, Division, 1st)
Perhaps the most famous single season performance by a GM in Nilbog so far, Plumbob was unanimously awarded the third GMOTY award by a four person commission in 2021. The GM began by drafting only a handful of Detroit players at the inaugural draft. After winning just five games in each of the first two seasons, this team shocked the league when they won The Lisa in 2021. Initially considered a fun playoff novelty, they silenced doubters with a miraculous Goblin Bowl win and became the patron saint of Nilbog’s underdogs.
Highlights of Plumbob’s stewardship include:
- Drafting Kyle Pitts (finished TE3).
- Darnell Mooney for free off waivers.
- Elijah Mitchell for free off waivers.
- Khalil Herbert for free off waivers.
- Jamaal Williams for $50 off waivers.
- Getting pre-breakout Amon-Ra St. Brown and the 2022 1.05 (Chris Olave) for Cam Akers. Thanks, Eliel!
2022: Morgan (10-4, Wild Card, 3rd)
Tiger’s Mom was awarded the fourth GMOTY in the first league-wide vote in 2022. She’d already had consistent success in Nilbog each year, including wild card berths in 2019 and 2021. A minor improvement to 10-4 and another wild card slot may not seem like enough for an award, but this was a team who faced what was possibly the hardest schedule in Nilbog history and kept winning anyway.
For the first couple years in Nilbog, Tiger’s Mom had been the primary rival to TarmoTim’s dominance in The Johnny. But by 2022, division mates Eliel and TheCarlos had finished rebuilds and also become powerful contenders. With a disappointing 4th place finish the year before and considered too weak to contend again in the toughest division, most GMs would have chosen to restructure their assets for a rebuild. Instead, Tiger’s Mom went all-in, trading away nearly every future pick in an attempt to compete.
Considered the weakest team in the division that year, Tiger’s Mom came into matches most weeks as the underdog – and for ten of those fourteen weeks she emerged victorious and secured her third playoff berth in four years. The league rewarded her for her ability to consistently surpass expectations in 2022 and for previous years of quiet, excellent stewardship.
2023: Turner (11-3, Wild Card, 5th)
In 2022, TWatkins took over a team that went 4-10 in 2021. He improved to 6-8 in the first year and further improved the team to 11-3 in 2023. He also swept TarmoTim in the regular season which means he would have held the #1 seed that year if we had used the current tiebreaker rules. In recognition of his success he was voted the fifth GMOTY in 2023.
He received the highest grade in that year’s trade compendium and made valuable adds off waivers like Sam Howell (QB #12), Zach Moss (RB #29), and Jonnu Smith (TE #17). He also succeeded in finding valuable depth in the late rounds of the draft that year, taking Josh Downs in the 2nd and Michael Wilson in the 3rd. This was a classic example of really strong stewardship at every level over the course of the year.
2024: Lee (10-4, Wild Card, 2nd)
Lee’s 2024 will go down as one of the all-time underdog seasons, second only to Plumbob’s 2021. After two straight 7-7 records, the team finally had their first winning season and made the playoffs. In recognition of his years of grinding finally paying off, he was voted the sixth GMOTY.
Lee began the season by drafting Bo Nix, then paired him with Courtland Sutton by trading Rashee Rice – creating a stack that averaged a combined 35.2 PPG. His draft and hold strategy for Chase Brown and Chuba Hubbard finally paid off. And 3rd round pick Jalen McMillan averaged 17 PPG in the playoffs. LBTown’s 2024 profile is that of a GM who never panic sold, who trusted in the ability of his players, and consistently made good decisions at every point of the season.
Fun Fact #1: Lee has met or exceeded his previous season’s win total every year.
Fun Fact #2: Lee’s 2024 started with a 40 point loss to RAllen. So if you feel like you’re off to a bad start, just remember how quickly it can turn around.
How You’ll Win
Below are what I predict would be the necessary conditions for each GM to make a strong case for GMOTY. These aren’t definite, just what I expect would resonate with voters. I’ve organized the list from who I think is the most likely to least likely GM to win this year.
Strong Candidates
Kenjifonn
Goal Record: 11-3
Win Condition: Win the division
Analysis: Kenjifonn was a contender for GMOTY two years ago but lost to TWatkins. I think the owners are well aware of what an asset he’s been to the league and will take the opportunity to finally give him GMOTY if his season makes a sufficient case for it. Still, it will likely take an even better record than 2023. I’m predicting he’ll be undeniable if he can achieve 11 wins and convincingly win The Mark.
CoachesCoach
Goal Record: 10-4
Win Condition: Win the division
Analysis: CoachesCoach had a disappointing 2024. Rebounding with a division win in 2025 would be a classic example of the kind of year-over-year improvement owners look for when voting on GMOTY. So far the GM looks like they’ve put their team in a great position to achieve that.
GreysonH
Goal Record: 8-6
Win Condition: Achieve a winning record
Analysis: Owners were frustrated with this team’s previous GM for years. And when the team went 3-11 last year, many people felt that he wasn’t doing enough to strategically rebuild. Now that the team is under new management, I think several voters would be eager to reward a new GM if they can get this team to a winning record in the first year. Hell, it may not even take a winning record as long as the league feels it has been made sufficiently competitive. This team’s most regular season wins is 5 – and that was in 2019!
DReid
Goal Record: 14-0
Win Condition: Go undefeated
Analysis: GMOTY has always prioritized stewardship as shown through year-over-year improvement. That puts DReid at a disadvantage since it’s hard to improve upon perfection. Still, he consistently receives GMOTY votes for his team’s dominance and only narrowly lost last year by one vote. I think that if he becomes the first owner to win 14 games in the regular season it would be an easy decision to finally award DReid his first GMOTY. Of course, it may not take something so extreme. If the team finishes 12-2 again and nobody else makes a strong case, the owners will likely be willing to reward DReid for his years of dominance.
Dylan614
Goal Record: 9-5
Win Condition: Clinch a wild card berth
Analysis: This is a quality team that struggled in it’s last couple years under Plumbob. I anticipate that owners would be willing to vote for a GM who could turn this team back into a playoff contender within the first year.
Eliel
Goal Record: 11-3
Win Condition: Clinch a playoff berth and beat DReid at least once
Analysis: It feels like Eliel has been on the periphery of GMOTY voting for the past several years. The GM is consistently making moves – some of which have been very successful – and the team made the playoffs in 2023 and 2024. An 11-3 record would be an improvement over last year despite being in a harder division. Additionally, a win against division rival DReid would prove that this team is definitively capable of winning it all. I think the GM finally gets their flowers if the other owners feel like Eliel has finally built a team on par with TarmoTim and DReid.
Possible Candidates
HaffCaff
Goal Record: 9-5
Win Condition: Clinch a wild card berth
Analysis: Taking over from the notorious FoxyRoxy was never going to be an easy task, but HaffCaff hasn’t had a winning record since 2021. 9-5 would be the best record in this team’s history and a wild card berth would signify that this GM has finally succeeded in turning one of the league’s historical losers into a competitive playoff contender.
JamesMyers
Goal Record: 8-6
Win Condition: Achieve a winning record
Analysis: James inherited a seemingly impossible rebuild when they took over his team in 2023. Since then, the GM has made great progress thanks in part to the recent parity project. It will be difficult to achieve this year, but if they can finish with a winning record I think the owners would be likely to reward this GM for finally achieving a rebuild.
DHenman
Goal Record: 10-4
Win Condition: Clinch a wild card berth
Analysis: Things weren’t made easy for new GM DHenman when his team was pilfered for the parity project before the start of the season. But his team still contains a considerable amount of talent from the previous GM’s efforts. If DHenman can finish the rebuild Tiger’s Mom started and make the playoffs, I think it will make a very strong case for a first year GMOTY.
Unlikely Candidates
RKMay
Goal Record: 10-4
Win Condition: Clinch a wild card berth
Analysis: Every year RKMay comes into the season as a wildcard contender and every year the team is derailed by underperforming players. When the day finally comes that this team makes the playoffs I think RKMay will receive some consideration by voters for her years of effort.
RestingHollow
Goal Record: 10-4
Win Condition: Clinch a wild card berth
Analysis: It’s hard to remember but there was a time when this team was a legitimate contender. For the last several years the team has been stuck in a difficult rebuild. I think that once they finally make the playoffs the voters will be inclined to reward RestingHollow’s persistence with GMOTY.
TWatkins
Goal Record: 12-2
Win Condition: Clinch the Bedroom’s #1 seed
Analysis: It won’t be easy to win votes again after having just won GMOTY in 2023, but clinching the conference’s #1 seed would be a good start. If this team can have an even better season than 2023 I think there’s a chance TWatkins become the first two time winner.
TheCarlos
Goal Record: 12-2
Win Condition: Clinch the Roof’s #1 seed
Analysis: You guys hear about the Perfect Blue 4K restoration coming to theaters this October? I’m stoked. My 6th favorite film.
PlayboyHeff
Goal Record: 12-2
Win Condition: Clinch the Roof’s #1 Seed
Analysis: Having already won once, it’s going to be difficult to convince owners to give Heff a second GMOTY. Last year the team won their division (9-5) and only received a couple votes, so I predict it will take a more dominant performance like winning the conference to secure a victory.
Just Put The Season in the Bag Lil’ Bros
TSteggs
Goal Record: 13-1
Win Condition: Set a new points-for record (1,868)
Analysis: To win, other owners have to vote for you. That’s going to be an uphill battle for Tim. Plus he’s one of only four active GMs to have won before and the voters will likely prefer to honor someone new. His dominance could become undeniable, however, if his team breaks the Nilbog points record. To do that he would need to average 134 points over the next twelve weeks.
LBTown
Goal Record: 13-1
Win Condition: Clinch the Roof’s #1 seed
Analysis: It will be close to impossible to win two years in a row. The only way I see a back-to-back happening is if LBTown massively surpasses everyone’s expectations and there isn’t a case to be made for anyone else.
Nilbog Fantasy League 