Through the first three weeks of the season, the NFL landscape is already beginning to take shape. Stars are shining, new names are emerging, and some teams have completely flipped the narrative around them. While it’s still too early to hand out official awards, we can certainly start discussing who’s stood out so far, and who might be in line for hardware down the stretch. From breakout rookies to seasoned veterans, here’s a look at the early frontrunners for the NFL’s biggest honors.
Most Valuable Player: Justin Herbert
For years, Justin Herbert has been the overlooked star of the AFC quarterback conversation. With all the attention going to Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes, Herbert often felt like the odd man out. But through three weeks of this season, he’s making his case to be the next AFC quarterback to capture an MVP trophy.
Herbert has been nothing short of elite, leading the NFL in passing yards while guiding the Chargers to a 3-0 start. In the past, both Herbert and the Chargers had struggled to close out tight games, but that narrative has flipped early in 2025. In Week 1, Los Angeles held on to beat the Kansas City Chiefs, then in Week 3, Herbert engineered a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback against the Denver Broncos. That rally featured a jaw-dropping, game-tying touchdown strike to Keenan Allen. On the Chargers’ final two drives, Herbert went 8-of-9 for 93 yards and a touchdown. An MVP-caliber performance if there ever was one.
If Herbert sustains this level of play, the Chargers won’t just be playoff contenders, they could be battling Buffalo for the AFC’s top seed.
Honorable Mention: Daniel Jones
Perhaps the most surprising name in the MVP conversation: Daniel Jones. After years of being labeled a bust, Jones bet on himself this offseason, and so far, it’s looked like the right call. He’s in the middle of a career revival, reminiscent of Baker Mayfield’s resurgence in Tampa or Sam Darnold’s turnaround in Minnesota.
Jones currently ranks third in the league with 816 passing yards, paired with six total touchdowns, while leading the Colts to their first 3-0 start since 2009. Even more impressive, Indianapolis has punted only once through three games, which is an NFL record.
If Jones keeps this up, he won’t just be an honorable mention. He’ll be a legitimate contender.
Offensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor reminded everyone last season why he’s one of the league’s premier running backs, bouncing back from two injury-riddled years to rush for over 1,400 yards. Now, he looks even better. After a quiet Week 1, Taylor has exploded, winning back-to-back AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards with 333 total yards and four touchdowns over the past two games.
His most dominant stretch came against the Denver Broncos, when he racked up 108 rushing yards in the fourth quarter alone, setting up two game-winning field goals. That late-game dominance has become his calling card. Taylor is averaging 8.46 yards per carry in the second half this season, proving that the deeper a game goes, the stronger his threat becomes.
What makes this run so special is that Taylor isn’t showing us anything new. His talent has never been in question. He’s been the Colts’ only offensive constant in the past few years when healthy. The difference now is that the pieces around him are finally clicking, allowing his full potential to shine.
Through three weeks, Taylor is the only player in the NFL with over 300 rushing yards, and he doesn’t look ready to surrender that lead anytime soon.
Honorable Mention: Puka Nacua
The Rams’ young star wideout continues to thrive as one of the league’s most dangerous playmakers. Nacua’s blend of volume, explosiveness, and reliability makes him a nightmare matchup for defenses.
Leading the NFL in both yards and receptions he’s kept Los Angeles’ offense humming. If Taylor weren’t steamrolling defenses on the ground, Nacua could be leading this race.
Defensive Player of the year: Myles Garrett
At this point, it’s no secret Myles Garrett is one of the best players in football. After finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, he’s come out in 2025 looking determined to finally reclaim the award.
The Browns may not have started the season the way they hoped. Largely due to offensive struggles, but their defense remains one of the NFL’s best, and Garrett is the driving force. Through three weeks, he’s piled up four sacks and seven tackles for loss, while also ranking first among all defenders with a 92.0 pass-rushing grade from PFF. His constant pressure and ability to draw double teams have made life easier for his teammates, with Maliek Collins and rookie Mason Graham both thriving next to him. That impact shows up in the numbers: the Browns currently lead the NFL in total defense, allowing just 204.3 yards per game.
The only factor that could hold Garrett back is Cleveland’s win-loss record. The last player to take home the award without a playoff berth was J.J. Watt in 2014 and Watt had to deliver a historic season with 20.5 sacks and five total touchdowns to pull it off. But if Garrett continues this pace and the Browns’ defense keeps smothering opponents, he’ll have a strong case come season’s end.
Honorable Mention: Daiyan Henley
The Chargers’ second-year linebacker has been one of the league’s breakout defenders, flashing speed, instincts, and range all over the field.
He’s already making impact plays in coverage and against the run, giving Los Angeles a versatile weapon at the second level.
If he sustains this level of production, he could be in the mix for more than just an honorable mention.
Offensive Rookie of the year: Emeka Egbuka
When Emeka Egbuka left Ohio State as the school’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, expectations were sky-high. Three weeks into his NFL career, he’s not just living up to the hype. He’s exceeding it.
Egbuka has already delivered highlight-reel moments, from calling his own game-winning touchdown in his debut to making jaw-dropping sideline grabs in clutch situations. Through his first three games, he’s hauled in 14 catches for 181 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Buccaneers to their first 3-0 start since 2005.
What stands out most isn’t just the production, but the poise. Whether it was confidently predicting that Week 1 game-winner or stretching out for a 28-yard snag that set up the decisive field goal last weekend, Egbuka has consistently delivered when the lights are brightest.
Now, with Mike Evans sidelined for the next few weeks and Chris Godwin also recovering, Egbuka faces his biggest test yet stepping into a true No. 1 role. But if the first three games are any indication, this rookie doesn’t shy away from pressure. The moment never seems too big for him.
Honorable Mention: Tetairoa McMillan
The Panthers’ rookie wideout has quickly carved out a role as a reliable target, leading the team in receiving yards by over a 100 yards.
Terairoa blends size and route-running polish well beyond his years. McMillan’s early chemistry with Bryce Young has been key to Carolinas’ offensive balance, and he looks like a player who will only grow more dangerous as the season goes on.
Defensive Rookie of the year: Jihaad Campbell
It looks like Howie Roseman has done it again. The Eagles’ GM has a knack for finding defensive gems, and first-round pick Jihaad Campbell is already proving to be his latest home run. At just 21 years old, Campbell has stepped right into a major role, logging snaps on 95% of Philadelphia’s defensive plays. This is a remarkable workload for any rookie, let alone on the defending Super Bowl champions.
The early returns suggest the Eagles have struck gold. Paired alongside All-Pro linebacker Zach Baun, Campbell is part of a duo that already looks like one of the best in football. His versatility has been on full display, seamlessly shifting between playing off-ball and on the edge. This past week, he piled up eight tackles while flashing his ability to impact the game from multiple alignments.
Coverage has been where Campbell shines most. Opposing quarterbacks have managed just a 56.3 passer rating when targeting him, and PFF has graded him at an elite 90.1 in coverage. Those numbers are not just impressive for a rookie, they’re elite by any standard.
The injuries that caused his draft-day slide have been a non-factor so far, and if Campbell keeps this up, he won’t just be the frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He’ll be in the conversation as one of the league’s top young linebackers, period.
Honorable Mention: Carson Schwesinger
The Browns’ second rounder has already shown off his range and physicality, giving Cleveland a much-needed presence in the middle of the field.
Schwesinger leads Cleveland in tackles early. Showcasing his instincts and closing speed, he looks like a foundational piece for a defense that needed new playmakers.
Coach of the year: Shane Steichen
Few expected the Indianapolis Colts to look like one of the NFL’s most explosive teams, but Shane Steichen has them off to a 3-0 start and rewriting the franchise record books. The Colts have scored 103 points through their first three games, the most in team history, and Steichen’s fingerprints are all over the offensive turnaround.
What stands out this season is his adaptability. Known for leaning heavily on 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end), Steichen still runs it 62% of the time, but that’s the lowest rate of his tenure. Instead, he’s diversified the playbook, especially with 12 personnel (two tight ends). The Colts currently rank second in the NFL in 12-personnel efficiency, and Steichen’s usage has evolved in a way that keeps defenses guessing. Last year, 58% of plays from that grouping were runs. This season, that number is down to 39%, creating a balanced and unpredictable attack.
Steichen has built an offense tailored to his players’ strengths, and the results are clear: a red-hot start, improved efficiency, and a Colts team that suddenly looks like a contender. If Indianapolis keeps this up, Steichen could walk away with his first Coach of the Year award.
Honorable Mention: Jim Harbaugh
Harbaugh’s impact on the Chargers has been immediate. From instilling toughness to re-establishing a physical identity on both sides of the ball, he’s brought stability to a team that desperately needed it. He has led them to a 3-0 start and an early lead in the division. Pairing his leadership with Justin Herbert’s MVP-level start has Los Angeles looking like one of the AFC’s most dangerous squads.
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