The NFL season will reach its midpoint at the end of this week. So why not get ahead of the narrative and give out some midseason NFL awards.
Find out who is the midseason MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year.
MVP
Kyler Murray: The electric quarterback has come into his own this season, leading the Cardinals to a 7-1 mark thus far. The Cardinals dropped one at home last Thursday night, but did not take away from Kyler’s total command of the offense this season.
Murray’s unique skill set allows for the Cardinals to call plays that the 31 other NFL teams cannot call. The former Oklahoma Sooner should be rewarded with the midseason MVP.
Other names to consider in this spot are Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, and Josh Allen, each of which have a chance to knock Murray off his throne by season’s end.
Defensive Player of the Year
Trevon Diggs: Maybe the easiest pick of them all. Diggs has been a difference maker unlike any other on the defensive side of the ball.
Although Diggs tends to let up big plays at times, he brings to the table exactly what the Dallas Cowboys need. The Cowboys electric offense allows for their defense to play more aggressively, which turns into more explosive plays for the opposing team.
The flip side is 7 interceptions in 7 games and Diggs dominating the midseason Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
Other names to consider are Myles Garrett and TJ Watt.
Coach of the Year
Sean Payton: Payton deserves recognition for the job he’s done this season. New Orleans started the season without the luxury of playing games on their home field. Hurricane Ida kicked the Saints out of their home stadium for nearly a month. Let alone the loss of Drew Brees, Payton has managed this team to perfection.
The Saints, currently at 5-2 are in position to make another run at the playoffs. The loss of Jameis Winston adds another obstacle to New Orleans’ campaign, but it’s hard to bet against Sean Payton moving forward.
Zac Taylor and Kliff Kingsbury are next in line for the award.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Ja’Marr Chase: The reunion between Joe Burrow and Chase has put the Bengals in position to make a run at a playoff spot. Chase has totaled 786 yards and 7 touchdowns to start the season.
It’s laughable to think that people doubted Chase for dropping a few balls during the preseason. The public was quick to forget that Chase took the last season off at LSU and it was going to take some time for the rookie receiver to get going. Welp, he’s here and he is already among the best receivers in the NFL. The Bengals have a dynamic duo for years to come.
Mac Jones is next in line for the award.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Micah Parsons: Similar to Chase, Parsons sat out last season at Penn State. Also similar to Ja’Marr, Parsons has shown no signs of rust leading the Cowboys defense.
Micah Parsons has been one of the best defensive players in football as a rookie. The Penn State product has been disruptive as a middle linebacker and a defensive end. Effectively, Parsons is the do-it-all guy on defense for the 7-1 Cowboys.
It’s amazing to remember how putrid the Cowboys defense was last season, and think that they currently have the Defensive Player of the Year and the Defensive Rookie of the Year one short year later. The defense is one of the many reasons Dallas has turned into a Super Bowl contender.
Patrick Surtain II has also been a great player so far for the Denver Broncos.
