"Top NFL MVP Candidates and Awards Picks at Week 9 of 2023"
ESPN writer Bill Barnwell provides his midseason awards picks for the NFL, including Coach of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Valuable Player. His top three candidates for Coach of the Year are Nick Sirianni of the Eagles, Dan Campbell of the Lions, and Mike Tomlin of the Steelers. For Offensive Rookie of the Year, he selects C.J. Stroud of the Texans, followed by Puka Nacua of the Rams and Bijan Robinson of the Falcons. The top three candidates for Defensive Rookie of the Year are Devon Witherspoon of the Seahawks, Jalen Carter of the Eagles, and Byron Young of the Rams. Finally, his top three contenders for Defensive Player of the Year are T.J. Watt of the Steelers, Maxx Crosby of the Raiders, and an unnamed player.
