As the 2023 NFL regular season nears its end, it’s time to discuss superlatives. Which players, coaches and teams have made a memorable impression on us since September?
The MVP debate has raged for weeks now. Lamar Jackson seemed to distance himself from Brock Purdy while authoritatively leading the Baltimore Ravens over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, but is the debate absolutely settled? Is there another worthy challenger?
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There are plenty of other awards to go around, both good and bad. Here’s a look at some of the brightest and best the league had to offer this season, plus some memorable duds, as well. Note: These are not necessarily the individuals we expect to win league honors (though in some instances, they will). In some categories, we have chosen another worthy option beyond the presumed front-runner.
Most Valuable Player: Miami WR Tyreek Hill
A wide receiver has never won MVP. Not Jerry Rice. Not Randy Moss. Not Calvin Johnson. Not Cooper Kupp. Could this be the year that finally changes? It would sure be nice if voters got over their obsession with quarterbacks, mixed things up a bit and gave Hill the award.
The wideout has played a huge role in the development of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and served as a major catalyst for Miami’s success the last two seasons. (You could argue that Hill saved Tagovailoa’s career.) Hill earned some MVP chatter last season after recording 119 catches for 1,710 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games. A year later, Hill is on pace to surpass those numbers despite missing two games with an ankle injury. He’s projected to finish with 1,875 yards, 121 catches and 13 touchdowns while helping position the Dolphins (11-4) to win the AFC East.
Few players possess Hill’s level of game-changing talent or the ability to impose their will upon opponents so consistently. And few offer the versatility that Hill does for Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who lines him up all over the field.
Contenders: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, Purdy.
Offensive Player of the Year: Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson
In all likelihood, Jackson will win MVP because quarterbacks always have the edge over position players. Hill has a very good shot at OPOY. But in my book, Hill makes history, and Jackson takes OPOY after a truly impressive season in which he’ll set career highs in completion percentage (currently at 66.3) and passing yards (on pace for 3,805). He’s also projected to rush for 891 yards and rush or pass for 27 total touchdowns. Jackson proved more durable this season, and as a result, he has the Ravens in position to land the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Contenders: Hill, McCaffrey, Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb, Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert, Eagles WR A.J. Brown.
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Defensive Player of the Year: Cleveland DE Myles Garrett
Garrett has 14 sacks, 42 tackles, three pass breakups and four forced fumbles. Without him, Cleveland would not have a juggernaut defense that has kept the Browns afloat despite rampant injuries on offense, including at quarterback. Garrett is virtually unstoppable, impacting the game in so many ways while also elevating the play of those around him. His contributions could position Cleveland for a deep playoff run.
Contenders: Cowboys LB Micah Parsons, Steelers LB T.J. Watt, Cowboys DB DaRon Bland.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Houston QB C.J. Stroud
The draft’s No. 2 pick has assaulted NFL rookie passing records this season, with 3,631 yards, 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He’s missed the past two games with a concussion, yet the Texans (8-7) still have a shot at the playoffs after going 1-1 in his absence. Stroud cleared concussion protocol Thursday and will play in Sunday’s home game against the Tennessee Titans. Not only has he stood out as the best rookie quarterback this season, he has been among the league’s best passers regardless of experience.
Contenders: Rams WR Puka Nacua, Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions TE Sam LaPorta, Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, Chiefs WR Rashee Rice.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Philadelphia DT Jalen Carter
At one point, Carter was regarded as a potential top pick of the draft. But legal issues and a related early departure from the combine prompted a draft-day slide to Philadelphia at No. 9. Carter, it turns out, has been as good as advertised. The massive Georgia product made an instant impact in the trenches for the Eagles. He has five sacks, eight quarterback hits, seven tackles for a loss, 29 tackles and two forced fumbles and looks like a franchise cornerstone.
Contenders: Texans LB Will Anderson Jr., Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon, Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr., Lions CB Brian Branch.
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Comeback Player of the Year: Cleveland QB Joe Flacco
Defensive back Damar Hamlin will likely win this award after making a miraculous return to the Buffalo Bills, but Hamlin has played sparingly this season. If we want to pick a player who has made the most surprising on-field impact, what about Flacco? From the couch to the playoffs, the former Super Bowl MVP has given the Browns exactly what they needed following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury. Flacco is averaging 323.2 passing yards per game and is 4-1 as Cleveland’s starter. Thursday, he beat the Jets 37-20 to help the Browns improve to 11-5 and clinch a playoff berth.
Contenders: Hamlin, Tagovailoa, Jackson, Colts QB Gardner Minshew, Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield.
Coach of the Year: Houston’s DeMeco Ryans
Despite overwhelming respect for the former linebacker and 49ers defensive coordinator, many around the league predicted growing pains for Ryans and his Houston Texans. Instead, Ryans made an immediate impact. He integrated calculated veteran acquisitions into a roster filled with young talent and guided them toward drastic improvement. Even if the Texans fall just short of a playoff spot, Ryans’ transformative work is undeniable.
Contenders: Lions’ Dan Campbell, Browns’ Kevin Stefanski, Colts’ Shane Steichen, Rams’ Sean McVay.
Executive of the Year: Cleveland’s Andrew Berry
How many teams could have shrugged off the losses of their $230 million quarterback, workhorse running back, supremely gifted starting left and right tackles and still comfortably made the playoffs? Not many. But here the Browns are thanks largely to the roster construction Berry and his staff have executed the last several seasons and the talent they identified to fill voids (most importantly at quarterback) once injuries struck.
Contenders: Texans’ Nick Caserio, Ravens’ Eric DeCosta, Dolphins’ Chris Grier, Lions’ Brad Holmes.
Best gamble: Tampa Bay’s signing of Baker Mayfield
Faced with the daunting task of replacing the retired Tom Brady, the Bucs identified the unflappable Mayfield as the prime candidate to keep them in the playoff mix. Cast off by the Browns and Carolina Panthers, Mayfield — the top pick in 2018 — showed flashes of lingering potential during a late-season cameo for the injury-riddled Rams in 2022. The Bucs retooled on the fly but maintained enough talented pieces to give the front office reason to believe Tampa Bay could still contend for the NFC South with the right quarterback. It rolled the dice on Mayfield, and after a slow start, Todd Bowles’ squad has steadily improved to 8-7 and has positioned itself to reach the playoffs.
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Worst gamble: New Orleans’ signing of Derek Carr
When Josh McDaniels and the Raiders kicked Derek Carr to the curb, the Saints gave chase and landed the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback. Dennis Allen thought a reunion with his former Raiders quarterback would elevate the Saints. But instead, New Orleans’ offense has again underachieved, after Carr’s struggles followed him to the Big Easy. The Saints very well could finish 7-10 for a second straight season.
Rising star: L.A. Rams WR Puka Nacua
No one outside of the Nacua family could have projected such an impressive campaign for the rookie wide receiver. But here the fifth-round pick stands, ranked among the league leaders in receptions and receiving yards. The BYU product has 96 catches for 1,327 yards and five touchdowns, and the Rams (8-7) are eying the playoffs.
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Falling star: Denver QB Russell Wilson
Heralded as the savior when the Broncos sold the farm to acquire him via trade in 2022, Wilson fumbled and bumbled his way through the season. So the Broncos swung for the fences again — this time landing coach Sean Payton, who boasts a great track record with quarterbacks. After a disastrous start, Wilson and the Broncos were trending in the right direction and even flirted with playoff contention. But a 1-3 stretch seems to have sunk their hopes, and now Payton (who could receive the award for worst trash talker of the year) is benching Wilson for the final two games of the season. Are Wilson’s days as an NFL starter over?
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Most likely to succeed (next year): Cincinnati Bengals
The projected AFC contenders began the year 1-3 as Joe Burrow continued to struggle with a calf strain. Then, just as the Bengals appeared to get their groove back, Burrow suffered another debilitating — and season-ending — injury to his wrist. Since then, the Bengals’ playoff hopes have gradually faded, though at 8-7, they still have a shot. Either way, Cincinnati should find a way to rebound next season. There will be some changes, especially at wide receiver, because the Bengals can’t pay all of those talented pass catchers. But with Burrow’s health restored and a couple of smart moves, Cincinnati should be back in the mix next season.
(Top illustration: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic; photos of Myles Garrett, Tyreek Hill and Puka Nacua: Jason Miller, Megan Briggs and Ryan Kang / Getty Images)
