Steelers 2026 mid-season awards: Who is Pittsburgh’s MVP?

(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images We have reached the mid-season point of the 2026 NFL regular season (it always goes by too fast). The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the top teams in the league through nine weeks, sitting at the top of the AFC North with a 6-2 record while ho

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What is the story about?

We have reached the mid-season point of the 2026 NFL regular season (it always goes by too fast). The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the top teams in the league through nine weeks, sitting at the top of the AFC North with a 6-2 record while holding the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff picture.

Over the course of this week, our staff here at Behind the Steel Curtain will roll out our mid-season awards, which begins today with the Steelers’ 2026 mid-season MVP.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 mid-season MVP

Joey Bray – RB Jaylen Warren: This award

simply cannot go to anyone else. Warren was third in the NFL in scrimmage yards through eight weeks of play, and remains in fifth after the bye week. Plus, he is doing so with incredible efficiency. On an offense that lacks weapons on the outside, Warren is the engine that has the Steelers’ offense on an upward trend heading into the second half of their season.

Austin Bechtold – RB Jaylen Warren: Warren entered the bye week with more rushing yards than Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor. His 6.93 yards per touch this season is the highest in football and 1.31 yards higher than the next closest running back (Bijan Robinson). Warren is the best weapon in the Steelers arsenal and has been revolutionary for an offense that has been relatively stagnant for half a decade. I’d be happy with Warren receiving additional carries, as long as his body can hold up. Warren seems like the obvious answer, but I think T.J Watt and Jalen Ramsey also have case.

Ryan Parish – C Zach Frazier: It was tempting to put Jaylen Warren here, but Frazier is so crucial to what Warren and the rest of the offense do, he has to get the nod. He’s also the Steeler with the best case at being the best at his position in the entire NFL.

Ryland Bickley – C Zach Frazier: I’m torn between Frazier and Jaylen Warren here, but will go with the star center as he’s been arguably the best at his position in the entire league this year. And hey, when it’s a toss-up like this, why not give the offensive line some much-needed credit? Frazier has anchored the group that’s been the story of the team’s season thus far.

Mike Nicastro – RB Jaylen Warren: This one could certainly be up for debate, but my vote goes to Jaylen Warren. Warren has been the igniter of Pittsburgh’s offense and arguably the biggest reason the Steelers are sitting at 6-2. Whether it’s creating explosive plays, keeping the offense ahead of the chains or providing a spark when the passing game struggles, Warren has consistently delivered. Through eight games, Warren has rushed for 704 yards on 119 carries, averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per attempt. He’s also added 294 receiving yards on 25 receptions, giving him 998 yards from scrimmage and three total touchdowns. Warren has become the engine of this offense. While there are other deserving candidates, it’s difficult to overlook the impact he’s had on a team that has won four consecutive games.

Jarrett Bailey – RB Jaylen Warren: It looks like I’m the tie-breaker here, but I’m going with Warren. Even after the bye week, he’s fifth in the NFL in scrimmage yards and has emerged as one of the game’s three-five best running backs. Without his productivity, there is zero chance the Steelers are 6-2.

Consensus MVP: RB Jaylen Warren

Tuesday morning, we will reveal our votes and winner for the Steelers’ mid-season Offensive Player of the Year.