There’s no good time to do a quarter-pole awards column when talking about a season that lasts 18 weeks. So no time like Week 6 to drop one now. After five games (or four in some cases), here are my quarter-pole award picks for the 2025 NFL season.
(All data via TruMedia unless otherwise noted)
Jump to an award: MVP | Offensive Player of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year | Offensive Rookie of the Year | Defensive Rookie of the Year | Protector of the Year | Coach of the Year
Most Valuable Player
The podium
Josh Allen, QB, Bills
Daniel Jones, QB, Colts
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
The reigning MVP keeps the belt at the quarter pole. The Bills are 4-1, with a close loss to the Patriots being their only blemish (despite a season-high 61.5% dropback success rate), and Allen remains the hub of the Bills' upper-echelon offense. He spreads the ball around with efficiency and with consistently great ball placement while remaining one of the most dangerous runners in the entire league (Allen leads all quarterbacks with 212 rushing yards). He’s cracked eight yards per pass attempt for the first time in his career, and he’s top five in net yards per attempt, dropback success rate, EPA per dropback, EPA per play and QBR. Allen also continues to add layers to his game, becoming one of the best passers from under center and also one of the best on the mental side and with pre-snap operation.
Speaking of offensive hubs, Mahomes has been running more than ever (he leads the NFL in scrambles) as he does everything possible to keep Kansas City above water. Over the past couple of weeks, the Chiefs' offense has started to find its groove. Mahomes' receivers have started to get healthy, rookie running back Brashard Smith is starting to get more touches, the young offensive line keeps getting better and better, and Mahomes has developed chemistry with random players like Tyquan Thornton. Mahomes’ production isn’t eye-watering at first glance, and the Chiefs are 2-3, but his underlying stats still remain good (fourth in QBR and seventh in EPA per play). Mahomes is still Mahomes, and he’s been playing great despite the Chiefs' early blemishes.
Daniel Jones deserves a nod based on the Colts' impressive start that has their offense at the top or near the top of every metric possible. Jones’ numbers, too, are pretty crazy. His .35 EPA/play would be one of the best marks in that metric since at least the start of the millennium. He’s taking sacks at not only the lowest rate of his career (2.6%, about a quarter of his usual rate), it’s also the lowest rate among all quarterbacks in the NFL this year. He’s playing decisively and with confidence, and it doesn’t feel like a total mirage against weak opponents and with lucky bounces. Jones and the Colts might not continue to score on nearly two-thirds of their drives for the rest of the year, but there is definitely a lot of real to what’s going on in Indianapolis. I can’t quite tab him the MVP in this arbitrary ballot, because of just how good the entire Colts offense and structure have been. But Jones has been a consistent operator in this offense so far and the results have been outstanding.
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Where’s Baker Mayfield? Mayfield has survived the Bucs' OL injuries and has a sparkling connection with Emeka Egbuka (more on him later). He’s scrambling more than he ever has in his career, and has been very successful in doing so. The Bucs already have four fourth-quarter comebacks to start the season, and Mayfield has had some highs as a passer that have been incredibly fun to watch live and rewatch on film. But there have been early blemishes, and his underlying statistics and consistencies aren’t quite as sparkling as that connection with Egbuka has been. Mayfield has been playing well and the Bucs are winning. He's just not quite MVP-caliber in my eyes, despite the witching hour heroics.
Dak Prescott is another player that I’m keeping tabs on, but the Cowboys might not have the wins to get him over the top, despite helming one of the league’s most fun offenses.
The NFL is wide open this year, and so is the MVP race. But Allen has remained a constant supernova force through the first month of the 2025 campaign, and no one has done quite enough — or stayed healthy enough — to take the belt from him.
The pick: Josh Allen
Offensive Player of the Year
The podium
Puka Nacua, WR, Rams
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
What a group. All three have been incredible to start the season. Taylor is playing at the highest level of his entire career, which is saying something. He leads the league in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns, with a healthy dose of explosive runs sprinkled in there. He’s been the main engine of the Colts' offensive bonanza to start the season
Smith-Njigba has been a revelation as a true three-level threat that can align anywhere on the field. He has aligned on the outside on 80% of the Seahawks snaps so far this season, compared to 20% in 2024, per Next Gen Stats. He’s being targeted all over the field, with his average depth of target jumping over four yards from 8.66 to 12.84. And he’s gone berserk to start the season as the primary weapon of the most explosive passing game in the NFL through the first month. Smith-Njigba ranks second in receiving yards with 534, first in yards per route (4.2), second in successful target per route (20.5%, double the league average among WRs), and first in explosive receptions per route run (9.4%). Smith-Njigba looked like a good receiver through his first two seasons in the NFL, but he’s been great so far this year and a revelation in Klint Kubiak’s offense and as Sam Darnold’s main target.
The other wide receiver that sits at the top of all of those receiving metrics is the only thing keeping JSN from getting the quarter-pole nod. Puka Nacua leads the NFL in receptions (52), receiving yards (including total at 588 and per game at 117.6), and first downs (31). He’s first in successful targets per route (25.6%), which would be the highest mark since at least 2013, topping the current record of 23.5% set by … Puka Nacua in 2024. (There have only been seven wide receivers to crack 20% since 2013.) And that doesn’t even include the 52 rushing yards and rushing touchdown he has this season and the excellent blocking that he provides, too. He does it all for the Rams and is not only productive, but the most complete players at his position in the entire NFL.
The pick: Puka Nacua
Defensive Player of the Year
The podium
Nik Bonitto, Edge, Broncos
Myles Garrett, Edge, Browns
Micah Parsons, Edge, Packers
Jeffery Simmons, DT, Titans
I cheated and included four players on this podium. Bonitto has been racking up pressures and sacks like he’s hoarding them. He currently leads the NFL in sacks (seven), pressures (31), pressure rate (28.4%), quick pressure rate (13.8%). His relentless crazy fists style is a perfect match for Vance Joseph’s chaotic scheme that has Bonitto constantly harassing quarterbacks.
Micah Parsons has immediately made an impact in Green Bay as they have ramped up his playing time. He’s still essentially unblockable and his ability to move across the line helps unlock his Packers teammates. Parsons still ranks highly in pressure rate and is still one of the best defenders in football. He’s a lock to be in the top three at every checkpoint for this award as long as he stays healthy.
I had to include Jeffery Simmons in this despite the Titans' early season woes. Simmons has always been a great player, but he has been on a whole new level to start this year. Every single snap Simmons must be accounted for, whether it’s the passing game or run game. He has 3.5 sacks and 20 pressures, which is the most pressures among all NFL defensive tackles. Thirteen of those pressures have been quick pressures, which ranks first among DTs and fourth among all defenders, which is even more significant because he’s doing it from the DT spot (Maleik Collins from the Browns is in second among DTs with nine). He has eight pressures when he’s been double-teamed this season, another number that sits atop the leaderboard among DTs. Simmons has been dominant and a treat to watch every single week, despite the Titans' 1-4 start. He’s been the best defensive tackle in football through the first month.
But my pick at the quarter-pole is chalk. Myles Garrett has been unblockable for nearly a decade, but not only is he doing his thing as a pass rusher this season (16.2% pressure rate, four sacks), this is the best Garrett has ever been as a run defender in his career. Garrett currently has a stuff rate (tackles that result in a tackle for loss or gain of zero yards) of 7.8%. He nearly has as many stuffs this season (seven) than he did all of last year (10). He’s already past the halfway mark of the number he racked up in 2023, the year he previously won DPOY.
Garrett also has 13 run stops, which is a tackle that results in a successful play for the defense. His 14.4% run stop rate is easily the highest of his career, doubling his career rate. He had 24 run stops in 2023, and he already has 13 through five weeks this year. This isn’t just to say Garrett has been good against the run relative to his prior seasons, he’s been among the most productive edges against the run in the entire NFL. His 13 run stops rank third among all NFL edges, and his seven run stuffs ranks first. That 7.8% stuff rate also ranks first. (For reference, Bonnitto has three stuffs so far this year.)
Garrett has been one of the best defenders and non-quarterbacks for years now, but this is the best he’s ever played as a four-down player against both the run and pass. He’s been dominant before, but now he’s completely dominant on a Browns defense that has been taking it to teams. And he’s my pick for this award.
The pick: Myles Garrett
Offensive Rookie of the Year
The podium
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers
Tyler Warren, TE, Colts
Grey Zabel, OG, Seahawks
I mean, this award is Emeka Egbuka’s so far. He’s top five in receiving with 445 yards with five touchdowns, and has had brilliant catches every week (except against Quinyon Mitchell and the Eagles). I really don’t think I have to vomit out a whole bunch of other metrics to talk about how good and impressive Egbuka has been as a rookie. He catches everything. He’s been making plays at all three levels and in high-leverage situations. He’s even a good blocker! I loved Egbuka’s game coming out of Ohio State because of his all-around ability, and he’s been every bit of that and more to start his NFL career. He’s awesome.
Tyler Warren has also made an instant impact. The Colts' coaches love moving him around the formation and he’s been productive — his 317 receiving yards currently lead all tight ends in the NFL — with 15 of his 23 receptions going for first downs. Warren has been everything he’s been advertised as: a versatile and productive receiver with reliable, strong hands. He is a worthy silver medalist.
And an offensive lineman makes the shortlist! Grey Zabel has made an instant impact at left guard in Seattle for the resurgent Seahawks offense. He has been excellent in Klint Kubiak’s zone-heavy run scheme, with his pass protection also being an early strength (only allowing three one-on-one pressures so far this season). Zabel looks great and is deserving of recognition. He’s going to very good for a very long time.
Keep an eye on Jacory Croskey-Merritt, too. The Commanders' run game has been the NFL’s best so far this season, topping the board in success rate and 2nd in explosive runs, with “Bill” sitting on top of both individual categories among all NFL running backs. Some efficiency might drop, but Bill has been great in this offense, and his production should continue to rise as he gets more and more touches.
The pick: Emeka Egbuka
Defensive Rookie of the Year
The podium
Abdul Carter, Edge, Giants
Carson Schwesinger, LB, Browns
Only two names I really considered here. There have been plenty of rookies that have had stretches to build off as the season goes along. Edge defender Mykel Williams and cornerback Upton Stout (aka Taz) have been strong players already for the 49ers, with Williams helping shore up their run defense (with a few pressures via bullrush thrown in) and Stout exciting as a run defender and blitzer from the slot, with some nice moments in coverage to boot. It’s been fun to see someone pick up the K'Waun Williams mantle for the 49ers.
Cornerback Jacob Parrish has been a slot dynamo for the Bucs over the first month, but played outside against the Seahawks last week and was constantly targeted by Sam Darnold throughout the game. It might be recency bias, but that game is sticking out in my head and kept me from pushing him up too high. Another cornerback, Will Johnson, has been great when on the field for the Cardinals. But he unfortunately has missed time already due to injury. Look for Johnson, if healthy, to rise up as the season goes along.
Schwesinger’s athleticism has shined so far in the middle for the top-level Browns defense. His speed and ability to quickly diagnose plays have allowed him to be around the ball constantly as a run defender and in coverage. He’s managed to not get overwhelmed by offensive linemen climbing to him in the run game, and has learned to use his quick first step to create an advantage. His ability to run in coverage has already made him a plus-defender in that area that can impact the game in zone or as a man defender. If Schwesinger adds just even a little more strength as a professional, he has Pro Bowler written all over him.
Carter only has half of a sack, but he actually is quite easily my pick for this award. If you watch the Giants' defense you know that number does not reflect how dominant Carter has been to start the season. So let’s look at his pressure numbers! Carter currently is tied for 11th among all NFL defenders in pressure rate with at 16.8%, despite the Giants experimenting with him at off-ball linebacker to help get their other talented defensive linemen on the field at the same time. (Carter played linebacker at Penn State, but it was primarily in an attacking role known as a “spinner.”)
Now that Carter has been able to stick his hand in the dirt and get after the passer, he’s been constantly disruptive. Carter is currently tied for the NFL lead among all defenders with 15 quick pressures, which makes it even wilder that he hasn’t racked up at least one or two sacks despite the constant harassment of NFL QBs.
Carter has looked the part of the No. 3 overall pick. And the dam should burst soon on those sacks to match his disruptive and explosive play.
The pick: Abdul Carter
Protector of the Year
The podium
Creed Humphrey, C, Chiefs
Penei Sewell, OT, Lions
Andrew Thomas, OT, Giants
The newest award added to the slate! And it’s going to be fun to continue to keep tabs on the frontrunners for this award the rest of the season because the big guys need love too.
The typical names made my initial shortlist. But after a few weeks I narrowed it down to Humphrey, Sewell and Thomas, a name that I have to make an exception for despite the fact he's only played three games.
Humphrey has been the keystone player on a Chiefs offense that has started to find its way. He has barely allowed any pressures and has been the tip of the spear for the Chiefs' run game that’s starting to find some explosives. The rest of the young offensive line is starting to put it together, and Humphrey has been a stabilizing force while Kansas City has been figuring it out.
While the Lions' offense keeps putting up points, the reloaded offensive line has had stretches of good play and some spots of inconsistency as well. Sewell has still been Sewell, dominant in the run game and able to go toe-to-toe as a pass protector. Barring injury, Sewell will be on a lock to make the shortlist at every checkpoint this season.
I didn’t expect to have Thomas on my shortlist, given the fact he's only played three games. But the thing is, Thomas has been incredible in those three games. His presence has been felt in the run game and he has only allowed one pressure total on nearly 100 pass-blocking snaps. In the two games without Thomas, the Giants' left tackles allowed 12 pressures for a 13.3% pressure rate, including three quick pressures. Thomas’ pressure rate allowed is 1.2% so far this season.
Next Gen Stats has a statistic called “average peak probability,” which measures the average probability of allowing a sack throughout a play. The Giants' left tackles over the first two weeks had an average peak probability of 36.1%. Thomas’ mark is 22.1%, despite playing with sack-magnet quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart.
While offensive line statistics can be noisy and need context, the eye test matches just how impressive Thomas has been since returning from injury. He’s simply been stellar and is my pick.
The pick: Andrew Thomas
Coach of the Year
The podium
Dan Campbell, HC, Lions
Liam Coen, HC, Jaguars
Kyle Shanahan, HC, 49ers
Shane Steichen, HC, Colts
Take your pick and I wouldn’t be upset. Campbell has two new coordinators and the Lions haven’t missed a beat. Coen has the Jaguars at 4-1 and playing fast on both sides of the ball, despite a tad too many penalties. Steichen has the Colts putting up 40-burgers seemingly every single week, and he gets bonus points for the Lou Anarumo hire and quarterback swap to Daniel Jones both paying immediate dividends.
Kyle Shanahan keeps winning despite injuries to impact players and literally every single position group. Yet the 49ers' offense keeps scoring points no matter who is throwing and catching passes. (Christian McCaffrey always helps lift the floor, too.) Shanahan somehow remains underrated with how he gets his players playing fast and with confidence every single week, and the start of this season might be his best work yet.
But I’m giving the award to Steichen so far. The Colts have been one of the most pleasant surprises I can think of in recent seasons. Their offense is incredibly entertaining to watch, with Steichen really feeling it with play-calling and Jones playing confidently. The defense, too, is a smart unit that plays with an infectious energy. The Colts might not be putting up 40 every week for the rest of the season, but this start definitely feels real, and Steichen is a big part of it.
The pick: Shane Steichen
