NFL football is officially back. 2025 offers another season for players and teams to cement their legacies among the greats that came before them. Last season was historic. Patrick Surtain II became the first cornerback to win the Defensive Player of the Year award since 2019. Jayden Daniels had a historic rookie season, capturing the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and Saquon Barkley grabbed the Offensive Player of the Year award. The slate is wiped clean for 2025. The awards are up for grabs again. Expect these players to be in the mix. 

CPOTY: Christian McCaffrey

Jul 24, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs a play from scrimmage during the second day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Jul 24, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs a play from scrimmage during the second day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Christian McCaffrey played four games last season due to injury, but he’s healthy heading into the 2025 season. McCaffrey will be back to being the featured piece of the 49ers offense, and he’s poised to win the Comeback Player of the Year award. If he stays healthy, he’s a lock to go over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kyle Shanahan will rely heavily on McCaffrey and George Kittle this season after trading Deebo Samuel to Washington, and Brandon Aiyuk continues to nurse his ACL tear. 

OROY: Ashton Jeanty

Aug 16, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) walks off the field after the Raiders were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers 22-19 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) walks off the field after the Raiders were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers 22-19 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Ashton Jeanty finds himself in a prime position to take the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2025. It was a weak quarterback class, making Cam Ward his main competition for the award. Jeanty should thrive in Pete Carroll’s offense. He’s the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley. If Jeanty stays healthy, it’s his trophy at the end of the season. 

DROY: Abdul Carter

Aug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) reacts to a play against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (51) reacts to a play against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Abdul Carter comes to the NFL with an NFL-ready skill set, similar to Micah Parsons. Carter finds himself on a great defensive line where all eyes won’t be on him in New York. He has no reason not to grab double-digit sacks in his rookie season. Mason Graham can also make a run at the award, but Carter is a freak of nature that could end up in the Defensive Player of the Year award race, not just the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. 

OPOY: Ja’Marr Chase

Nov 7, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) reacts following his fourth quarter touchdown catch against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
Nov 7, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) reacts following his fourth quarter touchdown catch against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

The Bengals didn’t reach their goals in 2024, but Ja’Marr Chase had an insane season. He won the triple crown, and he would have easily won the Offensive Player of the Year award if Barkley hadn’t exploded for 2,000 yards in Philadelphia. Cincinnati has questions to answer on defense, but the Joe Burrow to Chase connection will never be in question. They’re the best offensive duo in the NFL, and it isn’t close. 

DPOY: T.J. Watt

May 24, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt (90) participates in organized team activities at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt (90) participates in organized team activities at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Watt is constantly in the mix for the Defensive Player of the Year award. He went through lengthy contract discussions this offseason, leading to him becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Last time he signed a new contract, he won the DPOY award in 2021. If he stays healthy, Watt will flirt with 20 sacks once again. The Steelers’ defense has the potential to be the best in the league, and Watt is their leader. 

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

Aug 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) watches pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Aug 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) watches pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are going to be on a hellpath after getting blown out in the Super Bowl by the Eagles last season. They will be determined to show the rest of the NFL that the league still has to go through them to get to the top. Mahomes has all the weapons he needs to win his third MVP award in 2025. Every team in the league should be scared of a vengeful Chiefs team with Mahomes at the helm. 

Super Bowl: Chiefs vs. Packers

Feb. 12, 2023: Andy Reid and Travis Kelce celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Feb. 12, 2023: Andy Reid and Travis Kelce celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

The Kansas City Chiefs are an easy pick to make the Super Bowl. Betting against Mahomes in the AFC is asinine. Picking a team to come out of the NFC is tough, but the Packers’ acquisition of Micah Parsons makes them an interesting threat in the NFC if Jordan Love does his job. The Chiefs will be on a revenge tour in 2025 after the Super Bowl beatdown that they received from the Eagles last season. A vengeful Mahomes is ready to get his fourth ring. The Chiefs will win Super Bowl 60. 

End Of My NFL Rant

Jul 26, 2023; Irvine, CA, USA; A Wilson official NFL Duke football game ball on the field at Los Angeles Rams training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jul 26, 2023; Irvine, CA, USA; A Wilson official NFL Duke football game ball on the field at Los Angeles Rams training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL season will be fun. Although it’s a chance for a new Champion to rise to the top, it’s hard to see anybody beating a vengeful Chiefs team in the playoffs. The players on this list are in contention to take home hardware every season, but 2026 will be the year that they stamp themselves in the history books.