2026 NFL quarter-season awards: MVP picks, top rookies, OPOY, DPOY, best coaches

The 2026 NFL season has reached a point where analysts are evaluating quarter-season awards. According to coverage from ESPN, these assessments include the Most Valuable Player (MVP) picks, the identification of top rookies, and selections for Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY), Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), and the best coaches in the league. These evaluations coincide with the arrival of Week 5 of the NFL schedule, as indicated by reporting from both ESPN and NBC Sports. Coverage of the MVP race is particularly detailed across multiple outlets. The New York Times reports on an MVP odds tracker showing that Josh Allen currently holds a steady position ahead of other contenders, specifically Brock Purdy and Patrick Mahomes.

Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated provides a different angle via its Sportsbook Insiders, noting that oddsmakers are closely monitoring the usage and health of Josh Allen's legs as the competition for the MVP title tightens. This focus on physical durability suggests a high level of scrutiny regarding Allen's specific style of play. Contextual updates for the current week indicate a heavy focus on game preparation and fantasy projections. ESPN's coverage includes 'Shadow Reports,' lineup locks, and projected scores for Week 5 as part of its fantasy playbook. Simultaneously, NBC Sports is providing its ProFootballTalk (PFT) picks for the Week 5 matchups.

These reports provide the immediate backdrop against which the quarter-season awards are being debated, linking individual player performance to weekly game outcomes and fantasy football value. Looking ahead, the focus remains on the progression of the MVP odds and the stability of the current leaders. The New York Times and Sports Illustrated establish that the race involving Allen, Purdy, and Mahomes is active and subject to change based on upcoming performances. Observers will be watching to see if the current projections for top rookies, coaches, and defensive leaders mentioned by ESPN hold steady as the league moves deeper into the 2026 season.