Steelers 2026 Mid-season Awards: Offensive Player Of The Year

Jaylen Warren was our consensus team MVP of the Pittsburgh Steelers halfway through the 2026 season. Considering the position he plays, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him win Offensive Player of the Year, as well. Will he get the clean sweep, or will another top offensive star for Pittsburgh get the crown? Our staff weighs in with our Steelers mid-season Offensive Player of the Year votes.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 mid-season Offensive Player of the Year

Joey Bray – C Zach Frazier: Jaylen Warren’s breakout starts with the way the Steelers offensive line has been playing since Week 3. Frazier has established himself as arguably the best center in the entire NFL this season. The former West Virginia Mountaineer is the top-graded center this season according to Pro Football Focus. The Steelers offensive line is becoming one of the strongest units on the team, and Frazier is the class of them all. 

Austin Bechtold – QB Aaron Rodgers: I didn’t want to give Warren both awards, so we flipped the NFL model of the quarterback winning MVP and any other offensive piece winning OPOY. Rodgers has been steady and playing very well under Mike McCarthy. He’s thrown for 1,871 yards and 13 touchdowns in eight games at 42 years old. Of his six interceptions, five have either been on tipped balls, passes off receivers’ hands, or while he was being hit on his arm by an offensive lineman. The stats aren’t eye-popping and indicative of how well Rodgers is playing. Zach Frazier and Max Iheanachor are also playing spectacular on the line and Frazier should be voted an All-Pro.

Ryan Parish – RB Jaylen Warren: If you’ve been watching this season, it should come as no surprise that Warren is the best skill player Pittsburgh has. Unless some my colleagues decide to put Frazier in this spot and Warren in MVP, I wouldn’t be shocked if Warren is the unanimous selection here.

Ryland Bickley – RB Jaylen Warren: Third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage, Warren finally earned a chance as a clear RB1 this year and never looked back. As I’ve written a few times, the Steelers haven’t had a star offensive weapon like this in years. Warren has been essential in both the run and pass game: Yes, he’s on track for nearly 1,500 yards on the ground, but he’s also second on the team in receiving yards and is somehow averaging more yards per grab than DK Metcalf.

Mike Nicastro – RB Jaylen Warren: There’s some overlap here, but Warren gets my vote for Offensive Player of the Year as well. Aaron Rodgers deserves consideration. The veteran quarterback has been mostly good throughout the first half of the season and has provided valuable leadership and stability to Pittsburgh’s offense. However, Warren has simply outpaced him in terms of overall offensive impact.

Jason Aponte – RB Jaylen Warren: Yes, Warren is the MVP and OPOY. The reasons given for him as the MVP choice apply here, but in critical moments, Warren delivers. Even when Rico Dowdle is involved and Warren’s opportunities shrink a bit, he remains efficient and reliable. Truly a breakout season for the running back.

Jarrett Bailey – C Zach Frazier: May be a bit backwards in terms of how league wide awards go, but in the spirit of spreading out some of these awards, Frazier should get the nod for one of them. He’s become the game’s best center, and the Steelers’ run game would not be what it is without him. He should absolutely be the winner of the Protector of the Year when January rolls around.

Consensus Offensive Player of the Year: RB Jaylen Warren

Wednesday, we will give out the mid-season Defensive Player of the Year award.

Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!

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