#28 Jonathan Taylor walks into the endzone for the game-winner in overtime versus the Atlanta Falcons at Olympic Stadium Berlin on Nov. 9, 2025. (Martin Meissner/AP Photo)

Welcome to part two of the 2025-26 NFL Honors series. A lot has happened since Week 6; how has that affected co-sports editors Nate Szarzynski and Connor Butts’ picks? 

Note: neither of us picked Comeback Player of the Year (CPOTY) or Protector of the Year (POTY) because CPOTY is vague (whether players returned from injury or a massive increase in performance), and POTY is a brand new honor in 2025, with the selection criteria unknown.

*All stats are provided by PFF via NFL and ESPN via NFL.*

Most Valuable Player

Nate’s and Connor’s pick: Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Matthew Stafford

Stafford has put together an impressive, potential Hall of Fame résumé in his 17-year career thus far. However, one accolade that has eluded the quarterback is the league’s Most Valuable Player award. As of Week 10 in the NFL season, we can comfortably say Stafford has taken a lead in the MVP race, surpassing fellow quarterbacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Baker Mayfield and reigning MVP Buffalo Bills Josh Allen.

Stafford and the Rams have the best offense in football and continue to improve week to week. Even at age 37, Stafford continues to play at an elite level, bad back and all.

• Stats: 67.1% completion | 2,427 passing yards | 25 passing touchdowns | two interceptions | 114.8 passer rating | 14 sacks taken

Offensive Player of the Year

Nate’s and Connor’s pick: Indianapolis Colts, running back Jonathan Taylor

What is better than one, two, three or four 100-plus yard rushing games? How about five? In those five games, Taylor recorded 165 versus the Denver Broncos in Week 2; 102 against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3; 123 versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6; 153 versus the Titans in Week 8 and, most recently, an insane 244 versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10. He also just missed the mark in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Chargers at 94 but more than made up for it with three rushing touchdowns.

Taylor has been the most dominant player in football this season and easily has an argument for the MVP award. If there was ever a year for a non-quarterback to claim the title, this would be the year. Last achieved in 2012 by former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Taylor has a chance with his current pace of 2,379 total yards and 30 total touchdowns.

• Stats: 189 carries | 1,139 rushing yards | 15 rushing touchdowns | 30 receptions | 260 receiving yards | two receiving touchdowns

Defensive Player of the Year

Nate’s pick: Denver Broncos, defensive end Nik Bonitto

While Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has had a slightly better season so far, it is difficult to give awards to players on bad teams. The Broncos’ defense has taken a major step forward in 2025, in large part because of Bonitto’s production.

• Stats: 22 tackles | 9.5 sacks | 16.6% pass rush win rate | 48 pressures

Connor’s pick: Cleveland Browns, defensive end Myles Garrett

Like Nate mentioned, it was hard to consider Garrett when you look at the Browns’ record, but no defensive end—maybe even no defensive player—dominates the way he does. You cannot game-plan for Garrett. You cannot block Garrett. All you can do is pray he misses a step. This season has been no different, as Garrett has broken several records.

To start, he broke the record for most sacks before the age of 30 with 108.5. In the Browns’ Week 8 matchup against the New England Patriots, Garrett broke the Browns’ single-game sack record with five. Also in that game, he became just the fourth player in NFL history to record five or more sacks in a single game yet lose.

• Stats: 34 tackles | 11.5 sacks | 9.5 stuffs | 26.9% pass rush win rate | 34 pressures

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Nate’s and Connor’s pick: Indianapolis Colts, tight end Tyler Warren

Warren has been Mr. Reliable and Mr. Dependable for the Colts offense and quarterback Daniel Jones this season. Warren has shown the ability to create unlike most other rookie tight ends in NFL history and is a cornerstone for one of the most impressive teams in the NFL.

• Stats: 50 receptions | 617 receiving yards | three receiving touchdowns | one rushing touchdown

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Nate’s pick: Atlanta Falcons, safety Xavier Watts

The value of the safety position in the NFL Draft will always be a topic for debate. Watts’ value to the Falcons as a third-round selection has proven to be a steal so far. Watts, who was viewed as a potential first-round talent, fell out of the top two rounds and right into the hands of the Falcons at pick No. 96.

Watts has started all nine games in 2025 alongside All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III, and the two have formed a formidable duo.

• Stats: 34 tackles | two interceptions | four pass deflections

Connor’s pick: Atlanta Falcons, defensive back Billy Bowman Jr.

When Bowman came into the NFL, many wondered whether he would play safety or cornerback; he had experience at both in college. He ended up at neither spot, instead he has played nickel—a cornerback position, but one that functions differently. Bowman has quickly proven to be not only a great draft selection but also a great nickel and a major factor in the Falcons’ defensive turnaround from 2024 to 2025.

• Stats: 22 tackles | one interception | two pass deflections | one forced fumble

Coach of the Year

Nate’s pick: Indianapolis Colts, head coach Shane Steichen

Barring a major collapse from Jones, Steichen is a NFL Coach of the Year candidate and my pick to win the award. What he has accomplished so far with Jones at quarterback is too difficult to ignore. In addition, Taylor has had a historic year rushing the football. All this equates to an impressive eight wins through 10 weeks.

• Record: 8-2 overall | 2-0 in the division | 6-0 at home | 2-2 on the road

Connor’s pick: Seattle Seahawks, head coach Mike Macdonald

Short and simple: The Seahawks are the best team in football, and I think there is only one other team that has a claim for that position—the Rams. The other team aside, Macdonald, now in his second season in Seattle, has turned this defense into a juggernaut and has played a key role in this team’s road success, where they have yet to lose a game.

• Record: 7-2 overall | 2-1 in the division | 3-2 at home | 4-0 on the road