To many, the 2020 NFL season seems like it just got started. To others, the offseason can’t come soon enough. However, we have roughly a quarter of the season left and it’s time to start thinking about the yearly award winners. In our first roundtable this season, five of the Prime Time Sports Talk team writers (Mike Fanelli, Chris Gallagher, Ethan Hewett, Kyle O’Connell, and Nicolette Rojo) have given their opinion on who will win five yearly awards. Those five awards are offensive MVP, defensive MVP, offensive rookie, defensive rookie, and coach of the year. So, without further ado, let’s dive into it.
Offensive Most Valuable Player
Mike: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
You can make an argument for Kyler Murray given his numbers and how they are similar to Lamar Jackson’s last season when he won MVP. However, the Cardinals aren’t winning like the Ravens did last season and he’s been inconsistent week to week at times. Mahomes leads the league’s most explosive offense and makes throws no one else can. With Mahomes, no lead is safe when facing the Chiefs and he should win his second MVP award in the last three seasons.
Chris: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Coming down to a two-person race between Rodgers and Mahomes as the season enters the final stretch, Rodgers currently leads the NFL in touchdown passes and passer rating through 12 weeks. Enjoying a resurgence in his second year in head coach Matt LaFleur’s system, the 37-year-old is on pace to throw for a career-high 48 touchdown passes. That’s three more than his previous career-high set in 2011. The 16-year veteran is also on pace for a career-best completion percentage at 68.8, leading to a second 4,500 yard season. Six years removed from his last MVP trophy in 2014, and with the writing on the wall after the selection of Jordan Love, a revitalized Rodgers will capture his third most valuable player honor.
Ethan: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Take Rodgers away from the Packers, and what do you have? A defense that has struggled all year, an offensive line that has struggled to stay healthy all year, management that refuses to address positional needs, and Davante Adams. Rodgers has been one of the most valuable players in the entire league his whole career. This season Rodgers is top-six in nearly every relevant passing category, including 3,395 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, a 118.5 passer rating, and just four interceptions. Rodgers currently leads the league in both touchdowns and passer rating.
Kyle: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
With the NFL into the back half of the season, Mahomes is the front-runner for the MVP award. He’s accumulated a league-best 3,497 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and has led the Chiefs to a 10-1 record. Add in only two interceptions and a 115.5 passer rating, and Mahomes should get his second MVP trophy in three seasons.
Nicolette: Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Several players can win this award, and while usually, it’s a quarterback, Cook deserves serious consideration. Without Cook, the Vikings’ offense falls apart. He is averaging five yards per carry and nine per reception this season. Cook’s versatility and value to the Vikings’ offense have made him the most valuable running back this season.
Defensive Most Valuable Player
Mike: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Watt is among the league leaders in sacks and leads arguably the best defense in the NFL. With Bud Dupree done for the season with a torn ACL, Watt will have more attention on him. However, don’t expect that to slow him down. Watt plays a critical role in the Steelers’ defense, whether it’s rushing the passing, stopping the run, or dropping into coverage. He is so versatile that against the Baltimore Ravens a week ago, he covered Marquise Brown in man coverage and didn’t give him any chance at catching a pass. Watt’s versatility and role in the Steelers’ defense should make him the defensive player of the year winner.
Chris: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
The leader of the league’s best defense, Watt leads the NFL in sacks (11) and tackles for loss (17) through 12 weeks of the season. In addition to this, the former first-round pick has also added 38 tackles, an interception, and 33 quarterback hits. Showing off his versatility as a defender, Watt has also added six passes defended to his stellar resume. A two time Pro Bowler and a member of the All-Pro team a year ago, the 23-year-old finished in a tie for third in the defensive player of the year voting after a breakout campaign. In a close race with Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, the Steelers star should capture his first defensive player of the year honor.
Ethan: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Watt has been a critical part of a dominant Steelers defense. The youngest Watt brother has once again been a force to be reckoned with coming off the edge totaling a league-high 11 sacks and, according to Pro Football Reference, 44 pressures. Not only has Watt gotten after the quarterback, but he has also been a big part of the run defense totaling a league-leading 17 tackles for loss. Watt has become a do-it-all defender, and he does it all incredibly well, which is why he is the defensive MVP.
Kyle: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Watt has been phenomenal through the first 11 games of the season. He leads the league with 11 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, also adding an interception. Watt has been a major factor in the Steelers’ dominant defense and will be the Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in his career.
Nicolette: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
This award is up for grabs, but Watt deserves to win it. While his brother J.J. Watt gets a lot of credit, and deservedly so, T.J. is arguably the better player at this point in their careers. He is the leading force for the Steelers’ defense and has 12 sacks this season. Watt is a critical part of why the Steelers have such a dominant defense and the top seed in the AFC playoff picture.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Mike: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
With the unfortunate injury to Joe Burrow, this seems like a lock. Herbert has electrified a Chargers offense that struggled to move the ball with Tyrod Taylor at the helm in Week 1. After being forced into his first career start at the last minute against the Chiefs, Herbert has held his own. He has thrown multiple touchdowns in most of his games this season despite limited weapons on offense. Furthermore, he has played better than any other rookie quarterback this season despite several injuries to his supporting cast.
Chris: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
The runaway favorite to capture this award after the season-ending injury to Burrow, Herbert has been stellar this season. The 22-year-old has completed over 66 percent of his passes for 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. Recently named the Rookie of the Month for November, the University of Oregon alumni tossed 10 scores over the month, becoming the first rookie quarterback to reach the mark since Peyton Manning. The beneficiary of some unfortunate outcomes at the end of games, leading to a disappointing 3-8 record, Herbert continues to impress in his rookie campaign and should win this award easily.
Ethan: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
If not for a season-ending injury, Burrow would, without question, be in this spot. However, fellow rookie quarterback Herbert has also impressed this season. The former Oregon Duck, despite a losing record as a starter, has shown tremendous promise throwing for 3,224 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions. Herbert has made incredible throws every single week, including his Week 2 career debut in which he had only seconds to prepare. Chargers fans should be ecstatic to have Herbert leading their team into the future.
Kyle: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert has thrown for over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns as a rookie. He is only five touchdowns away from breaking the record for most touchdown passes by a rookie, set by Baker Mayfield in 2017 with 27. It’s looking more and more likely each week that the Chargers have found their next franchise quarterback.
Nicolette: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert has been the best rookie quarterback this season, especially after the season-ending injury to Burrow. The Chargers aren’t winning games, but Herbert is playing excellent. The Chargers have their franchise quarterback, and that’s something a lot of teams can’t say.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Mike: Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers’ 2020 season hasn’t gone as they have hoped, but one of the bright spots has been Chinn. After trading up in the second round to select him, the Panthers have used Chinn in several ways, from linebacker to nickel to safety. He had two fumble recoveries in their Week 12 game against the Minnesota Vikings and is among the league leaders in tackles. While it’s unlikely the Panthers make the playoffs this season, they’ve found the leader of their defense for the next decade.
Chris: Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers
Against the Minnesota Vikings, Chinn had 13 tackles and two fumble recoveries. He is on pace for the most tackles every by a rookie safety. A dynamic player in the Panthers secondary, the 22-year-old has started in 11 games for the team this season, racking up 87 tackles, five passes defended, and one interception. Displaying tremendous versatility, range, and instincts during his 2020 campaign, he looks to be a cornerstone piece for an emerging Carolina team.
Ethan: Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers
There should be little doubt in anyone’s mind who the defensive rookie of the year is. Chinn stepped into some very large shoes with the departure of Luke Kuechly, and he has filled them this season. He currently leads the Panthers in total tackles with 87. Chinn is one of the most athletic and explosive young linebackers in the NFL and has All-Pro potential.
Kyle: Chase Young, Washington Football Team
Young has been the front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year most of this season. While his sack total isn’t anywhere near the top of the league, Young’s impact on the defensive end is far greater than the stats show. He is on the path to becoming one of the next best defensive linemen in the league.
Nicolette: Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers
After selecting two defensive linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Panthers traded up for Chinn. That decision has proven to be smart as Chinn has emerged as a solid safety, who leads the team in tackles. He is a star in the making and a centerpiece of the Panthers’ defense for the next several years.
Coach of the Year
Mike: Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins
This award is all about expectations compared to results. While Mike Tomlin, Andy Reid, Sean Payton, and LaFleur will likely have the four best records this season, all four teams were expected to make the playoffs and be Super Bowl contenders before the season started. However, the Dolphins finished last season 5-11, and even with Tom Brady leaving the division, they were expected to finish third or fourth in the AFC East. However, not only are they in the middle of the playoff race but they are pushing the Buffalo Bills for the division title. If the Dolphins make the playoffs, Flores is a lock to win this award.
Chris: Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
Looking to capture his first coach of the year honor since 2008, Tomlin has led the Steelers to an 11-1 record through 13 weeks of the season. Navigating multiple schedule changes due to Covid-19, the Steelers saw their week eight bye moved to week number four after the Tennessee Titans outbreak. Rattling off a 13 game stretch of football to close out the season, he has guided Pittsburgh to a 10 ranking in both points scored and points allowed. Recently passing Tony Dungy to become the winningest black head coach ever in his 14th season, Tomlin remains one of the best in the business.
Ethan: Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins
When Flores took over as the Dolphins head coach in 2019, nobody expected this team to be a winning team within a year. However, Flores has done just that and made a u-turn with this team leading them to an 8-4 record. Flores has instilled a culture down in Miami that has taken a defense from zeros to heroes. He has made the Dolphins an AFC Wild Card team, and he has done all of this with limited talent on the roster. If the Dolphins make the playoffs, Flores is a shoo-in for this award. However, even if they don’t, Flores should still be on anyone’s shortlists.
Kyle: Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers bounce back from last year has been extraordinary, mostly due to coaching by Tomlin. After missing the playoffs entirely last season, he’s led the Steelers to the best record in the league and a potential first-round bye in the playoffs. The development of young players has been the key for Tomlin and the Steelers.
Nicolette: Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
When was the last time the Browns were in the playoffs? In his first year in Cleveland, Stefanski has the Browns in a prime position to make the playoffs. They will have a winning record for the first time since 2007. Over the last four seasons, the Browns have a total of 14 wins, while Stefanski has nine with four games to go. Behind a strong running game, the Browns should make the playoffs and put Stefanski right in the middle of the discussion for Coach of the Year.
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