Packers players most likely to win each individual award in 2026 with early outlook revealing key contenders
It’s a big season for some pieces of the roster.
Green Bay Packers players haven’t won a major individual award since Aaron Rodgers was the MVP back in 2021. Edge defender Micah Parsons came close in 2025, getting the third place in the Defensive Player of the Year voting — the injury in Week 14 certainly did not help.
Projecting forward, let’s discuss which player is the most likely to win each award in the 2026 season, from the most obvious ones to the ones worth a bigger discussion.
Most valuable player: QB Jordan Love
- Most recent Packer to win: Aaron Rodgers (2021)
Micah Parsons could theoretically be in discussion here, but a defensive player hasn’t won the MVP award since Lawrence Taylor in 1986. Since then, only quarterbacks and running backs have gotten it, and QBs have massively dominated the award over the past two decades — including every year since 2013. There’s no way around it anymore, this is a quarterback recognition. Jordan Love has been snubbed in most individual analysis so far — it’s wild, but he hasn’t even been a Pro Bowler yet, despite being one of the most efficient quarterbacks in football, especially in 2025. If the offense can go nuclear this upcoming season, though, Love can finally receive more of his deserved flowers.
Offensive player of the year: Christian Watson
- Most recent Packer to win: Brett Favre (1995)
This has been an award most given to the best non-quarterback skill position offensive player, but some QBs have gotten it as well — most recently, Patrick Mahomes in 2018. So Love was a consideration here. Josh Jacobs was close to winning it in 2022, but the award went to Justin Jefferson instead. Tucker Kraft would be a deserving option as well, but a tight end has never won it since the award was created in 1972.
So we went with Christian Watson, who broke out last season after coming back from an ACL injury. He missed seven games, but extrapolating his production for a 17-game season, he would have 59 catches for 1,038 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. If he can take another step forward, it’s realistic to perceive him as one of the best receivers in football — and his role can get bigger in 2026 without Romeo Doubs in the mix.
Defensive player of the year: Micah Parsons
- Most recent Packer to win: Charles Woodson (2009)
Parsons is the obvious choice here, even though he might miss the first month of the regular season coming back from an ACL injury. He’s been a Pro Bowler in each of his five NFL seasons and an All-Pro in four of them (including First-Team All-Pro three times). He was third in voting last year, only behind Myles Garrett and Will Anderson — and that’s missing the final four games of the season due to injury. If he returns playing at his normal level, he will inevitably be a contender.
Protector of the year: Zach Tom
- Most recent Packer to win: N/A
This award was created in 2025, so there hasn’t been enough time for a Packer to win it — especially because Tom missed significant time and the rest of the offensive line was underwhelming. But presuming the right tackle will be healthier in 2026, he’s clearly the Packers’ most consistent and talented offensive lineman. Moreover, he plays a valuable position that can be recognized for its impact in the game.
Comeback player of the year: Micah Parsons
- Most recent Packer to win: Jordy Nelson (2016)
Back in 2016, Jordy Nelson returned from an ACL injury to win this award after a high-level season for the Packers. Micah Parsons has a chance to do the same. Tight end Tucker Kraft could also be a consideration here, but Parsons is a higher-profile player who will obviously generate more national attention. The arguments are the same used in the DPOY section: If Parsons comes back at his normal level, he’s one of the best and most impactful players in football.
Assistant coach of the year: DC Jonathan Gannon
- Most recent Packer to win: N/A
This award started in 2014, and no Packers coach has even won it. We didn’t include coach of the year here for obvious reasons, so the assistant coach discussion is more interesting. Because Matt LaFleur calls the offensive plays, Adam Stenavich will never get national hype to win this type of award.
Coming off of an experience as a head coach himself, Jonathan Gannon has a difficult job to replicate or even evolve what Jeff Hafley did over the past two years. If the defense can be as creative as it was with the Arizona Cardinals, but with better talent, the chances of the unit reaching a high level are real. And as always, new faces in new places have an easier path to win individual awards, because it’s easier to separate their specific impact.
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