Who will the Rams’ award winners be for the 2026 season?
Every NFL season produces its own collection of unforgettable performances. Some players meet lofty expectations, while others emerge from relative obscurity to become key contributors. By the time the regular season concludes, every successful team can point to a handful of players whose performances shaped the year.
The Los Angeles Rams will likely be no different in 2026. With established veterans, ascending young talent, and an intriguing rookie class all competing for playing time, there are plenty of candidates to leave a lasting mark on the season.
Rather than waiting until January to hand out team honors, let's make some predictions before the season gets underway. Which players will define the Rams' campaign? Here are six team awards to consider heading into 2026.
Team MVPNo award carries more weight than Team MVP. This honor belongs to the player whose impact extends beyond the stat sheet and consistently gives the Rams their best chance to win each week.
Whether it's a franchise quarterback, a dominant defensive star, or an offensive playmaker who takes over games, the Team MVP often becomes the face of the season. Leadership, consistency, durability, and clutch performances all factor into this selection.
Prediction:Matthew Stafford
Stafford will lead the Rams to a 14-3 record and first round bye. He hits the 40 touchdown threshold again but doesn't quite get to the 46 mark that he had last year.
Offensive Player of the YearThe Rams have assembled plenty of offensive talent capable of producing a standout season. This award recognizes the player who drives the offense through explosive plays, consistency, and game-changing production.
It doesn't necessarily have to go to the team's MVP. Sometimes another offensive player elevates the entire unit through big plays, reliability, or a breakout campaign that exceeds expectations.
Prediction: Puka Nacua
Nacua is Stafford's right hand man. Nacua will continue to receive a large volume of targets, especially in 3rd down situations when the chains need to be moved. There's a strong chance that Nacua puts up his best season to date in a contract year.
Defensive Player of the YearChampionship-caliber teams are built on defense just as much as offense. The Rams have invested heavily in building an aggressive, athletic defensive unit, and someone will likely emerge as the centerpiece.
Whether it's through sacks, turnovers, tackles for loss, or simply making offenses game plan around them every week, this award honors the defender who has the biggest impact on winning football games.
Prediction:Myles Garrett
An Aaron Donald return could make this a split vote but Garrett will likely have the most on his resume by the end of the season. Garrett will push to break his own record of 23.5 sacks.
Rookie of the YearEvery draft class brings excitement and opportunity. Some rookies contribute immediately, while others steadily carve out larger roles as the season progresses.
This award isn't always about posting the biggest statistics. Sometimes it's about exceeding expectations, earning meaningful snaps, or becoming an important contributor sooner than anticipated.
Prediction:CJ Daniels
The only two considerations for Rookie of the Year will be CJ Daniels and Max Klare. Daniels will find himself on the field from the halfway point of the season and will find the endzone a total of three times.
Most Improved PlayerDevelopment has long been one of the Rams' organizational strengths. Every season, one or two players take a significant leap after gaining experience, improving their technique, or earning a larger opportunity.
The Most Improved Player award recognizes the individual who makes the biggest jump from last season to this one. Whether it's a young starter, former reserve, or someone returning from adversity, improvement often becomes one of the biggest stories of the year.
Prediction:Terrance Ferguson
Ferguson delivers in year two as a starting tight end alongside of Colby Parkinson.
Unsung HeroNot every valuable player receives national recognition. Every successful roster features dependable contributors who consistently make winning plays without dominating headlines.
The Unsung Hero may not lead the team in statistics or receive Pro Bowl consideration, but teammates and coaches understand just how valuable that player is. It could be a special teams standout, a versatile role player, an offensive lineman, or a defender whose impact goes far beyond the box score.
Prediction: Warren McClendon
The offensive line will need to remain healthy for the Rams season to be effective. McClendon locks down the right tackle spot in the wake of Rob Havenstein's offseason retirement. McClendon's steady presence on the right side paves the way for another big year from Stafford.