This NFL season is going by in a flash. We currently stand halfway through the season and it has been a great season thus far. If you are an Eagles or Jets fan, you probably can’t wait for Sundays to see what your team will do. Contrarily, if you’re a Packers fan like myself, you most likely can’t wait for this season to end. 

This article, however, is not about team play. Right now is the perfect time to name my favorite picks for the individual awards the NFL hands out. This list—of course—is subject to change as these are the “mid-season awards”, meaning we have a whole half a season left to play. But let’s not focus on the back half…let’s dive into the top performers of the front half of this season and hand out some NFL mid-season awards. 

Most Valuable Player (MVP)

My Current Favorite: Patrick Mahomes (QB) (Kansas City Chiefs) 

This is no surprise. Mahomes was definitely a favorite for MVP going into this season and he has certainly played like it. Mahomes leads the league in passing touchdowns with 21 and has only thrown six interceptions. On top of that, he leads the league in passing yards with 2605. The AFC in my opinion still runs through Arrowhead Stadium, and unless the moon changes orbit, it seems like Mahomes will definitely be this year’s NFL MVP.

Runner up: Josh Allen

Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY)

My Current Favorite: Tyreek Hill (WR) (Miami Dolphins)

No Mahomes? No problem. Tyreek Hill has played on a level like never before this NFL season. Through 9 weeks Tyreek leads the NFL with an unreal 1104 yards receiving and 76 receptions. What’s even more crazy is the fact that teammate Jaylen Waddle has over 800 yards, meaning Reek is doing this with another elite wide receiver right beside him. Hill currently sits as the only player in the NFL with over 1000 yards right now. In second place? Cooper Kupp with only 867 yards. Hill is running away with the receiving crown and is on pace to shatter the 2000 yard mark. If he does so, he will become the first player to do so in NFL history. As of now, there is no player more deserving of OPOY than Tyreek Hill. 

Runner up: Nick Chubb 

Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY)

My Current Favorite: Za’darius Smith (OLB) (Minnesota Vikings)

Ugh, this hurts. Za’darius Smith was an absolute force in his time with the Green Bay Packers. Unfortunately, his mismanagement led him to signing with the division rival Minnesota Vikings this past off-season. Z was an absolute monster with the Packers, and has been even better this season. Through nine games, Smith has racked up 8.5 sacks (second in the NFL) and 13 tackles for loss (first in the NFL). The Vikings sit at 7-1 and second in the NFC, and a huge part of their winning has been thanks to Za’darius Smith and the defense he leads. The DPOY race is tight, but right now, I’d give it to Za’darius Smith. 

Runner up: Matthew Judon

Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) 

My Current Favorite: Kenneth Walker III (RB) (Seattle Seahawks)

It took a few games to truly get the former Michigan State Spartan going, but now it looks like Ken won’t ever stop. Walker III has been nothing short of spectacular since his Week 4 emergence. Kenneth Walker III has earned 512 yards since taking over the Seattle Seahawks backfield. He also has added 7 rushing touchdowns. With the season ending injury to fellow rookie Breece Hall, it looks as if Kenneth is now destined to win the award. If he does, he’ll be the first running back to win the award since 2018.

Runner up: Dameon Pierce

Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY)

My Current Favorite: Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner (CB) (New York Jets)

Oh boy, Johnny sure is getting his ice cream. The New York Jets have been the shock of the year for me. Currently at 6-3 and fresh off a victory over the Bills, I can confidently say the Jets are a good football team. Leading this team defensively is rookie ‘Sauce’ Gardner. Gardner has been a lights out corner this season and has quickly risen to stardom. Along with his shutdown coverage, he has racked up 58 total tackles and two interceptions. If Ahmad keeps shutting down his opponent’s top receivers, there won’t be any doubt who the Defensive Rookie of the Year will be. 

Runner up: Tariq Woolen

Comeback Player of the Year (CPOTY)

My Current Favorite: Geno Smith (QB) (Seattle Seahawks)

If someone had told me that the Geno Smith-led Seattle Seahawks would be serious contenders halfway through the NFL season, I would’ve laughed out loud. What seemed like a team destined for a rebuild has quickly become a team destined for glory. The Seattle Seahawks sit atop the NFC West at 6-3, and the man leading this Seahawks team is none other than Geno Smith. Geno has had an incredibly mediocre career up until this point, but something changed this year. A switch somewhere inside Geno Smith flipped, causing him to have his best year yet. Geno has racked up well over 2000 passing yards, 15 touchdown passes, and 4 interceptions. If Smith continues his heroic efforts he should undoubtedly be the 2022 NFL Comeback Player of Year. 

Runner up: Saquon Barkley 

Coach of the Year

My Current Favorite: Nick Sirianni (HC) (Philadelphia Eagles)

I really wanted to give the edge to Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll…but I couldn’t deny Coach Sirianni this award. The Philadelphia Eagles currently sit at 8-0, and say what you want about their opponents they have faced, but being undefeated is still quite the feat. Sirianni has turned this team from good to great with the acquisitions of A.J. Brown in the off-season and Robert Quinn during the season. While the Eagles could definitely suffer a 2020 Steelers type fall-off, Sirianni currently leads in the Coach of the Year race by a landslide.

Runner up: Brian Daboll

And that is all for my NFL Awards leaders as of the middle of the season. Do you agree? If you don’t, leave your award leaders in the comments down below, and if you do…let me know anyways. Until next time, thanks for reading.