Zachary Pereles· Sep 8, 2026
CBS Sports' panel of NFL experts published its 2026 individual award picks, with Joe Burrow the leading MVP choice, Ja'Marr Chase for Offensive Player of the Year, Will Anderson Jr. an overwhelming Defensive Player of the Year pick, Jeremiyah Love for Offensive Rookie of the Year, David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. tied for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Patrick Mahomes for Comeback Player of the Year, Penei Sewell for Protector of the Year, and a four-way tie for Coach of the Year.
“Mahomes winning Comeback Player of the Year was the most popular pick across all of the categories.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
22 checkable claims — 18 award picks and 4 coach award picks — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 33 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Joe Burrow
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Lamar Jackson
- Baltimore Ravens
- Puka Nacua
- Los Angeles Rams
- Jadarian Price
- Seattle Seahawks
- Myles Garrett
- Bijan Robinson
- Atlanta Falcons
- T.J. Watt
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Penei Sewell
- Detroit Lions
- Rueben Bain
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Caleb Downs
- Dallas Cowboys
- Josh Allen
- Buffalo Bills
- Jeremiyah Love
- Arizona Cardinals
- Patrick Mahomes
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Ja'Marr Chase
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Will Anderson Jr.
- Houston Texans
- De'Zhaun Stribling
- San Francisco 49ers
- David Bailey
- New York Jets
22 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Award PicksJoe BurrowCincinnati BengalsSep 8, 2026
Joe Burrow to win MVP
“MVP Bengals QB Joe Burrow (5 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksLamar JacksonBaltimore RavensSep 8, 2026
Lamar Jackson to win MVP
“Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Bills QB Josh Allen (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksPuka NacuaLos Angeles RamsSep 8, 2026
Puka Nacua to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, Rams WR Puka Nacua (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJadarian PriceSeattle SeahawksSep 8, 2026
Jadarian Price to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“Seahawks RB Jadarian Price (2 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksMyles GarrettLos Angeles RamsSep 8, 2026
Myles Garrett to win Defensive Player of the Year
“Rams EDGE Myles Garrett, Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksBijan RobinsonAtlanta FalconsSep 8, 2026
Bijan Robinson to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, Rams WR Puka Nacua (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksT.J. WattPittsburgh SteelersSep 8, 2026
T.J. Watt to win Defensive Player of the Year
“Rams EDGE Myles Garrett, Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksPenei SewellDetroit LionsSep 8, 2026
Penei Sewell to win Protector of the Year
“Protector of the Year Lions RT Penei Sewell (9 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksRueben BainTampa Bay BuccaneersSep 8, 2026
Rueben Bain to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“Jets EDGE David Bailey, Buccaneers EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (5 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksCaleb DownsDallas CowboysSep 8, 2026
Caleb Downs to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“Cowboys DB Caleb Downs (3)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJosh AllenBuffalo BillsSep 8, 2026
Josh Allen to win MVP
“Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Bills QB Josh Allen (2 each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJeremiyah LoveArizona CardinalsSep 8, 2026
Jeremiyah Love to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“Offensive Rookie of the Year Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love (7 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 8, 2026
Liam Coen to win Coach of the Year
“Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, Ravens coach Jesse Minter, Bills coach Joe Brady, Jaguars coach Liam Coen (2 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksPatrick MahomesKansas City ChiefsSep 8, 2026
Patrick Mahomes to win Comeback Player of the Year
“Comeback Player of the Year Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (10 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJa'Marr ChaseCincinnati BengalsSep 8, 2026
Ja'Marr Chase to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Offensive Player of the Year Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase (5 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksJahmyr GibbsDetroit LionsSep 8, 2026
Jahmyr Gibbs to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (4)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksWill Anderson Jr.Houston TexansSep 8, 2026
Will Anderson Jr. to win Defensive Player of the Year
“Defensive Player of the Year Texans EDGE Will Anderson Jr. (9 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 8, 2026
Brian Schottenheimer to win Coach of the Year
“Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, Ravens coach Jesse Minter, Bills coach Joe Brady, Jaguars coach Liam Coen (2 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
De'Zhaun Stribling to win Offensive Rookie of the Year
“49ers WR De'Zhaun Stribling (4 votes)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Award PicksDavid BaileyNew York JetsSep 8, 2026
David Bailey to win Defensive Rookie of the Year
“Jets EDGE David Bailey, Buccaneers EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (5 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 8, 2026
Joe Brady to win Coach of the Year
“Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, Ravens coach Jesse Minter, Bills coach Joe Brady, Jaguars coach Liam Coen (2 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Coach Award PicksSep 8, 2026
Jesse Minter to win Coach of the Year
“Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, Ravens coach Jesse Minter, Bills coach Joe Brady, Jaguars coach Liam Coen (2 votes each)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Drew LockMiss · 0In an unsigned Week 2 odds roundup, the piece states that with Sam Darnold hurt, Drew Lock will likely start at quarterback for Seattle against Arizona.
- Ralph VacchianoDepth Chart Calls · Tua TagovailoaMiss · 0Vacchiano ranks all 32 NFL teams entering the 2026 season, with the Rams first and Dolphins last. He also flags the Giants as a potential surprise team with a top-10 defense, and notes Deshaun Watson won Cleveland's QB job while Tua Tagovailoa starts Week 1 in Atlanta.
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Steven RuizDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Miss · 0In a retrospective tiering of all 32 starting quarterbacks, Ruiz treats Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' Week 1 starter over Kirk Cousins, whom he places in his lowest tier.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
More award picks
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Brandon SneideAward Picks · Drake MayeMiss · 0Snyder picks the Seahawks to beat the Patriots 31-23 in Super Bowl 60, believing Seattle pulls away late, and says Drake Maye will finish second in MVP voting behind Matthew Stafford.
- Eric ManginiAward Picks · Drake MayeMiss · 0Mangini picked the Patriots 23-20 with Drake May as Super Bowl MVP, and earlier named Kayshon Boutte ("Kaeshawn Booty") as his dark horse MVP.
- Chris BroussardAward Picks · Drake MayeMiss · 0Broussard picked New England to beat Seattle 24-21, with Drake May winning Super Bowl MVP, and named Cooper Kupp as his dark horse MVP.
- Rich EisenAward Picks · Sam DarnoldMiss · 0Eisen reaffirms his pick of the Rams to win the NFC West despite Seattle's current lead, expects Buffalo to land as the 2 or 3 seed in the AFC, names Josh Allen as his MVP with Sam Darnold finishing top five, floats the Saints picking in the teens, and calls Puka Nacua possibly the best receiver in the league.
- Eric ManginiAward Picks · Justin HerbertMiss · 0Mangini's upset alert was Carolina beating the heavily favored Rams; he also confirmed he has Buffalo ultimately winning in Jacksonville, and noted he had picked Justin Herbert as his MVP after Joe Burrow's injury.
- Brandon CarneyAward Picks · Christian McCaffreyHit · 100Carney made a full playoff bracket, picking the Bears, Niners, Rams, Patriots, Jaguars and Texans in the wild card round, then Seahawks and Rams in the NFC divisional, Broncos and Patriots in the AFC, with the Rams beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl. He also gave award picks including Stafford for MVP and Vrabel for Coach of the Year.