Patriots 2026 Midseason Awards: Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player, MVP and more

It's officially the halfway point of the 2026 NFL season, and the Patriots sit at 5-3 as they prepare to host the Packers in Week 9 at Gillette Stadium.

Coming off a season that ended with a Super Bowl appearance, the Mike Vrabel-led team faced a lot of pressure to keep their momentum and build upon their recent success. The problem is that they faced a brutal schedule, especially in the first month, and it took its toll on Drake Maye and the rest of the team.

That meant they ended September with a 1-2 record, and their brutal losses were worsened by mounting injuries that depleted their offense.

But a game against the Bills kickstarted Maye and the offense's comeback, and the defense also reverted to their dominant 2025 form, and now they look like legitimate contenders halfway through the season. Because of that, plenty of players deserve recognition for their efforts so far.

So with that in mind, here are the awards typically given at the end of a season, going into Week 9.

2026 Midseason Awards for the New England Patriots' 2026 season

Defensive Rookie of the Year - DE Gabe Jacas

If anyone tried to tell you that Gabe Jacas would be considered the Defensive Player of the Year halfway through the 2026 season, you probably wouldn't have believed them, mainly because he didn't start practicing with the team until two days into training camp.

The rookie missed most offseason activities with the Patriots while reportedly nursing an injury and fighting the front office over his rookie contract. It prompted a lot of hot takes about what he would be in Year 1, and through 8 games so far, he's proven nearly all of them wrong.

The second-round pick wasn't on many analysts' radar as a fit for the Patriots, despite their glaring need for pass rush help. But as edge defenders started coming off the board quickly, they had to act, and Jacas checked a lot of boxes for a Mike Vrabel guy.

Through 8 games this season, he's recorded 24 combined tackles, 4 for a loss, 8 quarterback hits, an interception returned for 11 yards, one pass defended, and 3 sacks.

He's in the conversation for DROY not just on the Patriots, but in the league as well, as he currently leads all rookie pass rushers in overall PFF grade, pass-rush grade, and pass-rush win grade. He's third in pass-rush productivity and second in total pressures with 23.

Offensive Rookie of the Year - TE Eli Raridon

Like the feeling about Jacas ahead of the 2026 season, many questions lingered about how good Eli Raridon would be for the offense, particularly since he would be playing behind Drake Maye's favorite weapon, Hunter Henry.

The tight end position had a big opening to fill after free agent signing Julian Hill suffered a season-ending injury during the summer. That elevated Raridon to TE2, and he's proven to be everything the Patriots have been looking for over the past two months.

He's recorded 13 receptions for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns, actually scoring the first touchdown of the season against the Seahawks in Week 1.

Since then, he's been an explosive option for the offense when things get tough, and he's looking more and more like Henry's true successor whenever the Patriots decide to move on, which is a far cry from what many expected in his rookie season.

Comeback Player of the Year - T Will Campbell

Although Will Campbell played at a high level for most of his rookie season in 2025, he couldn't return to form when he came back from injured reserve for the season finale against the Dolphins.

His performance throughout the playoffs and into the Super Bowl was deeply disappointing, prompting debate about whether the Patriots should move him to guard, since some believed he proved unfit at left tackle, or even whether drafting him was a mistake.

That meant he had a lot of work to do this past offseason to get back on track and unequivocally prove that he was the right person to protect Maye's blindside for the foreseeable future, and that's exactly what he's done so far this season.

Heading into Week 9, he's allowed just one sack and has a 75.8 overall PFF grade, along with 75.9 pass-blocking and 72.1 run-blocking grades.

Campbell is an efficient pass blocker, ranking 8th among left tackles, and has become the most reliable piece of a depleted offensive line, making Maye's bounce back so much easier.

Offensive Player of the Year - Rhamondre Stevenson

Despite another rough start to the season as his fumbling issues returned, Rhamondre Stevenson has remained the most consistent performer on the Patriots' offense, other than Drake Maye.

Since his Week 2 turnover against the Steelers, the running back hasn't fumbled again and has instead stepped up as the leader of the backfield and in the passing game, especially with TreVeyon Henderson missing time with injuries and illness.

That's led Stevenson to record 96 carries for 367 yards and 2 touchdowns, while adding 23 receptions for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns to his resume. His dual-threat abilities make him invaluable to the offensive game plan, and that will become more important as the weeks go on.

His performance this season has already solidified his place in Patriots history, as he's the fourth running back to reach 4,000 rushing yards in franchise history. Stevenson can easily add to that and cement his legacy further with more stellar performances in the second half of the year.

Defensive Player of the Year - LB Christian Elliss

Since signing with the Patriots in 2023, Christian Elliss has gradually become an integral part of their defensive identity, which has only grown stronger since Mike Vrabel became the head coach last offseason.

Because the former linebacker loves a violent, dominant defense, Elliss' style fits that perfectly, and he's been an absolute menace in the best way for the team so far.

He leads the team with 60 combined tackles, while adding 4 tackles for a loss, 6 quarterback hits, one pass defended, one forced fumble, and 1.5 sacks. Elliss consistently sets the tone for the defense week in and week out, and that kind of leadership and mentality has made them one of the best groups in the NFL.

MVP - QB Drake Maye

Given how the first month of the season went, it's almost unfathomable that Drake Maye would be considered the Patriots' MVP at the halfway point.

But his redemption tour, starting with a big win over the Bills in Buffalo, has been nothing short of impressive, even earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Month in the NFL for October. It put him back into the MVP conversation, and maybe more so than last season, since they've faced a much tougher schedule, and he's looking to lead them to a 6-3 record against the Packers on Sunday.

With all the injuries the offense has dealt with already, losing two starting offensive linemen, Mike Onwenu and Alijah Vera-Tucker, wide receivers A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and Mack Hollins at different times, and having little to no running game, hasn't prevented Maye from looking like a top quarterback in the league.

He's put the Patriots on his back and undoubtedly proven he is the most valuable player on the entire roster. Without him, the 2026 season would be an absolute disaster.

A few superlatives for a few more stand out Patriots players

The one who has improved the most: LB Elijah Ponder

Because Harold Landry began the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and there was a lot of uncertainty about Gabe Jacas as the Patriots' leading pass rusher, Elijah Ponder had a big opportunity to take advantage. And so far, he's done just that.

In just 8 games, he's already recorded 23 combined tackles, 7 for a loss, 11 quarterback hits, one pass defended, one forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries returned for 19 yards and a touchdown, and 6 sacks.

What he's done so far is beyond impressive, as he ranks 21st among qualifying edge defenders by PFF with a 76.3 overall grade. That includes 30 pressures at a 14% rate, which ranks him 3rd and continues to instill fear in opposing quarterbacks.

That's exactly what the defense lacked going into the season, and Ponder has exceeded expectations with 9 more games to go.

The one we might need to worry about: K Andy Borregales

It's another season in New England, and it looks like they are still far away from finding the right kicker for the future, as Andy Borregales' struggles have been on full display so far.

The second-year specialist has already missed 5 field goals this season, four of which were 40-49 yards out, and 2 extra points. It's prompted Mike Vrabel to keep the offense on the field far more on fourth down, but that's not sustainable, and the team shouldn't have to do that because their kicker is unreliable.

It's put a lot of pressure on Borregales over the last few weeks, but based on what we've heard from Vrabel, it doesn't sound like he's that worried about him yet. He should be a little concerned, though, since a missed field goal or extra point could be the difference between a win and a loss, and the Patriots can't afford the risk.

The one we can call Mr. Reliable: TE Hunter Henry

It may have taken a bit of time to get things going, but Hunter Henry has once again been Maye's most consistent pass-catcher over the past 8 games.

Their connection was apparent last season, when the tight end recorded the best year of his career, and he was almost on pace to replicate that this year had he not suffered a foot injury in last week's game against the Dolphins.

He's already recorded 29 receptions for 326 yards and 2 touchdowns this season, with plenty more to go. But how much time he misses will ultimately shape his season. Regardless, he's still Maye's go-to when the offense needs to move the chains, and that won't change anytime soon.

The one who's been the most disappointing so far: WR A.J. Brown

It's not any fault of his own, but the A.J. Brown experiment has not lived up to the hype so far, as the receiver suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 that put him on injured reserve for four weeks.

He returned in Week 6 against the Jets, setting a career-high with 3 drops, then followed it with an improved yet forgettable performance against the Bears on Thursday Night Football.

He missed last week's matchup against the Dolphins, and it looks highly likely he won't be on the field against the Packers either, prompting many to believe the Patriots will keep him sidelined until after their Week 11 bye.

Clearly, the potential to be a big part of this offense is there. We saw it throughout training camp, and his connection with Maye is very real. We'll just have to be patient and hope the knee flare-up he's dealing with doesn't become a bigger problem and make the trade a quick regret.

The one we miss the most: RG Mike Onwenu

The terrible injury luck the Patriots' offensive line has faced this season is nothing short of devastating, starting with Mike Onwenu breaking his ankle in Week 2 and missing the rest of the 2026 season.

As the most reliable player in the starting lineup, his loss took a major toll on the offensive line, forcing Vrabel to experiment with replacements, many of whom also suffered injuries.

At this point, it looks like they've finally found a solution, but it doesn't mean the loss of Onwenu isn't still being felt. He's been the best guard they have had in years, and he's proven beyond a doubt that he deserves a new contract next spring.

That was made even clearer by the group's performance in his absence, and hopefully the front office will do right by him and keep him around for a few more years.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow