The Cincinnati Bengals are getting the best version of Joe Burrow since he led them to a Super Bowl appearance after the 2021 season.
That season, the Super Bowl was held at SoFi Stadium. And five years later, it’s back in Inglewood, giving Burrow a chance to return to the place where his Bengals lost a close game to the Los Angeles Rams.
But if the Bengals return to SoFi Stadium this time, Burrow could enter the Super Bowl as the season’s best quarterback. He could very well win his first MVP this year, leading the league in completion percentage (74), passer rating (114.8) and passing touchdowns (23) as the 2026 season reaches the halfway mark. Burrow is also second in passing yards (2,386).
Putting up strong numbers is nothing new for Burrow. This year, however, he’s doing it cleanly and efficiently. Burrow has only been sacked 15 times and has six interceptions on the year, so the Bengals are doing a good job of protecting their quarterback, who has dealt with injury issues the past two years.
Along with his elite running game and strong defense, Burrow has the best receiver combo in the league in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who make his job easy with the amazing catches they can make, especially in the red zone, and the things they can make happen after the catch. Chase and Higgins have combined for 1,405 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Only Green Bay’s Matthew Golden and Christian Watson have more (1,662 and 12 tackles). Additionally, running back Chase Brown finally looked explosive in Cincinnati’s win over the Atlanta Falcons in Spain last week.
And maybe there will be more help for Burrow. Cincinnati has been linked to Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor before the trade deadline. That addition would be a huge boost to the Bengals’ running game and serve as the latest splash Cincinnati has made to help Burrow. The Bengals have benefited from improved defensive play with the offseason additions of defensive tackles Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen, along with running back Boye Mafe and safety Byron Cook, so Burrow and the offense don’t have to do as much of the heavy lifting.
However, Burrow is in the same heat this year that reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford experienced last season. If you recall, Stafford led most of the major statistical categories and barely managed a win over rookie Drake Maye. Burrow has done that so far this year, and at 6-2, he has the Bengals in the mix to win the AFC.
And after Monday night, Burrow is the favorite to win the MVP. He has +210 odds to win the award at DraftKings Sportsbook. That’s a slight lead over Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen, while San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love aren’t far behind.
Midway through the season, here’s a look at where I think things stand for the top contenders for each major award.
Offensive Player of the Year
Jahmyr Gibbs leads the league in scrimmage yards (1,132 yards) this season and is tied for the league lead with Kenneth Walker III in scrimmages (11), playing a key role in the Detroit Lions’ 6-2 start.
Walker was first when we did this exercise a few weeks ago, but he’s been shut down by two of the NFL’s top running backs (Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos) since then. He bounced back with a 102-yard rushing performance in a win over the New York Jets on Sunday as he ranks second in the league in rushing (872 yards) and yards per carry (5.5).
Jaylen Warren has been a revelation for the Pittsburgh Steelers, serving as the engine for that offense and Aaron Rodgers’ security blanket. He has rushed for 704 yards with a league-leading 5.9 yards per carry.
However, Jaxon Smith-Njigba remains the most dominant receiver in the league, leading all receivers in receptions (71), receiving yards (1,036) and receiving touchdowns (9) as he continues to be responsible for much of the Seattle Seahawks’ offense.
Offensive Player of the Year Odds:
Jahmyr Gibbs: +165
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: +220
Kenneth Walker III: +450
Here’s Chase: +1500
Sesame Robinson: +1500
Josh Allen: +2200
CeeDee the Lamb: +2500
Defensive Player of the Year
A pair of veteran linebackers deserve closure here. Ernest Jones IV leads the Seahawks in tackles, has three sacks and an interception this season for one of the best defenses in the league. The same goes for linebacker Alex Singleton, who leads the league in tackles with 107 and has two sacks for the Broncos.
All TJ Watt does is play for a defensive-led Pittsburgh team. Watt is tied for fourth in the league in sacks (7.5) and has one interception, forced fumble, fumble recovery and three pass breakups.
Fred Warner is having one of his best seasons for a surprisingly stingy San Francisco defense that is holding teams to 19.5 points per game. Warner is tied for eighth in the NFL in tackles (77), has three pass breakups and five forced fumbles.
Still, we go with Will Anderson at No. 1. He leads the league in sacks (9.5) and is second in quarterback pressures (44), as the Texans have played better defense of late.
Defensive Player of the Year Odds:
Will Anderson Jr.: +150
Fred Warner: +600
Jeffery Simmons: +800
Dallas Turner: +900
Greg Russo: +1000
TJ Watt: +1100
Aidan Hutchinson: +1300
Dexter Lawrence II: +2000
Coach of the Year
Sean Payton deserves props for showing his team how to win close games and get the most out of a disabled quarterback in Bo Nix. Davis Webb taking over the starting quarterback duties in Week 5 hasn’t made much of a difference statistically, but the Broncos sit at 7-2 with a chance to get back to the AFC title game.
No one deserves their flowers more than Mike McCarthy, who most felt shouldn’t have a chance to return to his hometown to lead the Steelers. McCarthy has done a good job of navigating the prickly Aaron Rodgers and built a plan to win, much like former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
But the best coaching job has been done by Kyle Shanahan, who has dealt with a series of off-field distractions (including his serious car accident) this year and persevered. And despite the 49ers’ long-term injury list, Shanahan has made San Francisco perhaps the best team in the league this year, entering the halfway mark at 7-1.
Kyle Shanahan has helped the 49ers to a 7-1 start. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Odds to win coach of the year:
John Harbaugh: +145
Ben Johnson: +300
Kevin O’Connell: +1800
Joe Brady: +1800
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Kaelon Black has done a nice job as a change of pace for Christian McCaffrey, posting 303 rushing yards and a score while averaging 4.5 yards per carry for the 49ers this year. While more was expected of Notre Dame products Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Price, Black has stayed healthy for the most part and been productive in his role as a backup back.
Several recipients are also in the running for the prize. Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate are tied for the league lead in receptions among rookies with 37.
Denzel Boston, however, leads all rookies in receiving yards (507) and receiving touchdowns (3). The Washington product is averaging an impressive 15.8 yards per reception this year as well, which ranks 10th in the league.
Odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year:
Denzel Boston: +370
Carnell Tate: +425
KC Concepcion: +600
Jonah Coleman: +600
Caleb Douglas: +1000
Defensive Rookie of the Year
As with the defensive player of the year, there are a few linebackers that deserve a mention. Titans linebacker Anthony Hill leads all rookies with 82 combined tackles. Miami Dolphins linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (79) is just three behind him.
The versatile Sonny Styles is living up to his billing as a top-10 draft pick with 67 combined tackles, nine quarterback pressures and a sack. His former Ohio State teammate, Arvell Reese, is quickly developing into one of the best defensive players on the Giants’ NFC East-leading squad. Reese has 4.5 sacks and 66 combined tackles this season.
Reese is right behind another player in New York, however, in the race for Defensive Rookie of the Year. David Bailey leads all rookies with 7.5 sacks this season. His highlight came Sunday, when he collided with Patrick Mahomes and forced a fumble. He also roughed up the Chiefs star a bit in that game, as Mahomes is dealing with an elbow injury.
Odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year:
Bill Reese: +100
David Bailey: +250
Jacob Rodriguez: +800
Sonny Styles: +800
: +1500
Dillon Thieneman: +2000
MVP
Rising players like Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence and Caleb Williams deserve mention here as younger players who threaten to break into the elite group as regular MVP-worthy candidates. But Purdy, Allen and Burrow stand out as the top three for me at this point in the season.
Purdy has been sacked just eight times all season and expertly executes a balanced San Francisco offense led by Shanahan. He is sixth in passing touchdowns (17) and third in passer rating (109.8), putting up strong numbers as the 49ers have dealt with multiple injuries at receiver.
Allen has the most playmaking ability of the three, as his nine rushing touchdowns are tied for second in the NFL regardless of position. He also has 2,261 passing yards and 13 passing touchdowns in eight games. But he also provides the most valuable plays per turnover, ranking in the top five in that stat (14, per Pro Football Focus), as he has seven interceptions this year.
So Burrow is my pick to win MVP over the first half of the season. As I mentioned above, Burrow is playing the best football of his career, leading the league in a number of passing stats – and he can only add to his lead in those categories.
Odds to win MVP:
Joe Burrow: +210
Josh Allen: +240
Brock Purdy: +425
Jordan Love: +650
Trevor Lawrence: +900
Caleb Williams: +1600
Patrick Mahomes: +3000
