A Lamar-velous Season: NFL 2026 Season Awards Predictions

The NFL kicks off this week, and there’s no better time than the present to predict the prestigious award winners for this season. Building on my award predictions last season, I’m hopeful that we can get more correct winners for the NFL Honors, starting with the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

 MVP: Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens

Call me a broken record, but it’s difficult to imagine a clear frontrunner for this award outside Jackson and last year’s MVP Matthew Stafford. The Los Angeles Rams upgraded their roster with defensive end Myles Garrett, which subsequently removed him from the Ravens’ division: the AFC North. The Ravens have the ninth-easiest strength of schedule, and the only MVP candidates with easier schedules are the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow and any eligible player on the Detroit Lions. Also consider that the Ravens roster has improved since last season, with aging star Trey Hendrickson and a stacked rookie cast that includes guard Olaivavega Ioane and linebacker Zion Young. Most importantly, nothing signals an MVP-caliber season from Jackson like outrageous disrespect from NFL media pundits. Jackson will be on a mission to prove that he’s not the 69th-best player in the league, but the MVP — for the third time. 

Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY): Jahmyr Gibbs, Running Back, Detroit Lions

The OPOY is, in essence, between two candidates: the Atlanta Falcons’ running back Bijan Robinson and Gibbs. Both running backs lost their previous backfield partners and gained new backups, with Tyler Allgeier and David Montgomery giving way to Brian Robinson and Isiah Pacheco. While Robinson is arguably an upgrade from Allgeier, Pacheco is certainly not compared to Montgomery. More importantly, the Lions placed Pacheco on injured reserve, and he will likely miss several weeks this season. Gibbs not sharing snaps with Montgomery presents an opportunity to either grow or regress in efficiency, and I’d bet on the latter. Robinson has a very fair shot to take home the OPOY, but I like Gibbs’ odds better. 

Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY): Will Anderson Jr., Defensive End, Houston Texans 

Historically, the best defensive players in the league have won back-to-back DPOYs. Yet, while the Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett delivered one of the best defensive performances in league history last season, I find it difficult to believe he can replicate that success and also avoid voter fatigue. The two likeliest options here are, to me, the Los Angeles Rams’ Jared Verse and Anderson. While Verse joins a great Browns defense, he also joins one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. Anderson has been much more efficient than Verse in terms of his total tackle volume per sacks and forced fumbles. Anderson has also had back-to-back seasons with double-digit sacks and has played one more season than Verse, though being an entire year younger. I hope that Verse can leap into elite player territory, but Anderson is far more likely to lead the DPOY conversation.

Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY): Jadarian Price, Running Back, Seattle Seahawks

The rookies this year will need a few seasons to blossom, based on how many of them don’t guarantee starting positions or clear opportunities. Several first-round wide receivers drafted are joining fairly crowded receiver rooms. Jeremiah Love, one of the most highly anticipated rookies, joined the Arizona Cardinals —  a team without a clear quarterback room and a subpar offensive line. The first-overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, is not yet starting for the Las Vegas Raiders. Given these situations, Price seems like the most reasonable candidate for OROY. Price was wildly efficient as the backup to Love in college, and is set to start with fellow Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet injured. It may not be the most exciting rookie campaign we’ve seen, but he’ll be crucial to the Super Bowl Champions’ success this season, and that’s enough for ROTY.

Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY): Reuben Bain Jr., Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bain was one of the premier talents in the draft this year, selected 15th overall by the Buccaneers — lower than expected. As the former ACC Defensive Player of the Year, many thought he was worthy of a top 10 draft selection. However, concerns about his arm length and a 2024 car crash may have caused Bain to fall down the board. Regardless, Bain’s performance in the preseason has led many to believe, myself included, that he will perform exceptionally well for the Buccaneers, earning a DROY in the process.

Comeback Player of the Year (CPOY): Kyler Murray, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings

Last year, running back Christian McCaffrey broke the tradition of a quarterback winning the CPOY. This season, the NFL will go back to tradition. Murray has the best circumstances to succeed this season, going from one of the worst teams, the Arizona Cardinals, to the consistently great Vikings. He will have one of the best wide receivers, Justin Jefferson, a much-improved offensive line, and an excellent defense to help close out games. What benefits Murray most is how well the other candidates for this award performed last season. The Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Green Bay Packers’ Micah Parsons were statistically not their best last year, but would have to take drastic measures to outdo themselves enough to warrant winning CPOY. Other contenders include the New York Giants’ Malik Nabers or the Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, whose years were cut short early on in the season, but, based on their current team situations, I don’t believe they’ll have a better chance than Murray to take home CPOY.

Coach of the Year (COTY): Kellen Moore, New Orleans Saints

The COTY is typically awarded to the coach of a team that overperforms comparatively to the roster’s perceived talent. While the past two years have seen coaches win with 14 regular-season victories and little to no controversy, I predict a more divisive COTY winner in Moore. The Saints have done nothing but improve their roster in one of the NFL’s worst divisions. The team added more offensive weapons in the draft, like wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, and made smart signings in free agency, such as running back Travis Etienne Jr. Moore may not be the best coach in the NFL this season. Still, his team will outperform expectations enough in their easy division for Moore to win a controversial COTY.

Protector of the Year (POTY): Penei Sewell, Tackle, Detroit Lions

The Chicago Bears’ Joe Thuney won the inaugural POTY last season after a great campaign. While I wish I had someone unique to propose as the next winner, I’m quite confident that Sewell will take home POTY. As one of the best offensive linemen in the league, Sewell’s skill will be further highlighted by the Lions’ sixth-easiest strength of schedule. The Lions will want to bounce back after finishing dead last in their division last season, and Sewell’s blocking success should be a key part of that.