Defensive Player of the Year: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings
Dallas Turner is ramping up as a breakout star for Minnesota. In a Sunday comeback win over Green Bay, Turner registered eight pressures (second-most in the NFL for the week), six quarterback knockdowns (the highest total) and a sack. Drafted 17th overall in 2024, Turner has shown steady improvement, and his current pace would put him on a trajectory toward a season resembling his best defensive breakthrough yet. His early surge is closely tied to the aggressive schemes of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, which are leveraging Turner’s quickness and power to disrupt opposing pass games.
Offensive Player of the Year: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs opened Week 1 with a statement performance, earning a career-high 29 carries in a game that went to overtime. He exceeded 150 rushing yards (156) and scored twice, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt. Gibbs also contributed as a receiver, catching all five of his targets for 30 receiving yards. This workload reinforces Detroit’s commitment to Gibbs as the focal point of their offense. If he maintains this level of production, hitting 2,000 scrimmage yards and around 20 total touchdowns is within reach.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jadarian Price, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Jadarian Price made an impression despite a modest 12 touches in his NFL debut. On 10 carries, he tallied four first downs and averaged 5.2 yards per carry, flashing big-play potential and efficiency. Price appears set to inherit a larger role in Seattle’s backfield, especially with teammates facing varying injury concerns. The early pace suggests Price could emerge as the leading candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year if he continues to capitalize on opportunities and maintain productive efficiency.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Josiah Trotter, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Josiah Trotter is making a compelling case for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The 46th pick in the 2026 draft contributed a sack on a key quarterback, plus a pass deflection, one tackle for a loss, and four solo tackles in Week 1. His playmaking appears ready to translate into more impact plays—interceptions and continued sack production—keeping him squarely in the DROY conversation as the season unfolds.
Most Valuable Player: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen wasted no time reasserting himself as a top MVP contender. In Week 1, he delivered for the Bills with 334 passing yards and four total touchdowns in a 36-31 victory over Houston. This performance helped erase some of the recent concerns about his play against that particular opponent and suggested that Buffalo could contend for a top seed in the AFC. If Allen can sustain this level of production and efficiency, he’ll remain a front-runner for MVP consideration.
Coach of the Year: John Harbaugh, New York Giants
The New York Giants opened the season with a statement win on Sunday Night Football, highlighting a well-coached, cohesive unit on both sides of the ball. Under defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, the defense looked poised and aggressive, while new personnel additions and system tweaks appeared to pay immediate dividends. Harbaugh’s leadership has the Giants positioned as a compelling early favorite for Coach of the Year, with strong execution across a demanding schedule.
Additional context and notes
– The early NFL landscape is showing a mix of veteran excellence and fresh breakthroughs. A continued focus on defense, especially pass rush and disruption, could shape several award races this season.
– The interplay between coaching philosophy and player development remains central to several of these stories, with veteran coordinators helping to unlock the potential of younger talents.
What to watch next
– Week 2 matchups that feature top defensive line contests and running back duels could provide further clarity on the early award outlook.
– Monitoring how teams manage usage, workload, and health of feature backs like Gibbs and Price will be crucial for projecting season-long success.
– Keeping an eye on playmaking defenders like Trotter and Turner, especially in schemes designed to maximize pressure and turnover opportunities, will help gauge their continued impact.
This week’s results set an exciting foundation for a season that could bring multiple players into the conversation for major NFL awards. With continued strong performances, the early favorites highlighted here could solidify their positions as the stakes rise in the coming weeks.
