The National Football League announced its Players of the Month for September, highlighting standout performances across both conferences.
Brock Purdy Sets Historic Early Pace for San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy opened the 2026 campaign by cementing himself as an early Most Valuable Player candidate. Over his first three starts of September, Purdy engineered an unbeaten start for the 49ers while compiling 789 passing yards and nine touchdown tosses, alongside one rushing score for 10 total touchdowns. Records show he posted a 93.6 Quarterback Rating, marking the highest figure recorded since the metric’s introduction in 2006. Purdy completed 72.3 percent of his attempts while generating a 133.1 passer rating, all without absorbing a single sack through the team’s first three outings.
Kenneth Walker III Powers Kansas City’s Unbeaten Ground Attack
In the American Football Conference, Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III claimed offensive player of the month recognition after shifting to the franchise as a free agent in March. Walker arrived in Kansas City following a Super Bowl LX victory and Super Bowl MVP performance in February with his previous club. During his debut month with the Chiefs, he rushed for 173 yards in a single game—setting a new personal benchmark—while adding 18 receiving yards and three touchdowns in that initial appearance. Across three victories, Walker accumulated 442 total yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns, helping propel Kansas City to a 3-0 start.
Defensive Standouts Make Immediate Impact in Buffalo and New York
Buffalo Bills edge rusher Gregory Rousseau anchored the AFC defensive weekly and monthly honors by collecting six sacks through three victories, averaging two sacks per contest to place himself within striking distance of his single-season personal best. Rousseau accumulated 15 total tackles, led the NFL with eight tackles for loss, and forced three fumbles. Selected 30th overall in the 2021 draft during his sixth year with Buffalo, Rousseau spearheaded a dominant defensive front.
In the NFC, New York Giants safety Jevon Holland emerged as a co-leader in league interceptions with three picks, securing one in each game played. Playing his second season in New York following a four-year stint with the Miami Dolphins, Holland contributed 12 tackles, four pass defenses, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Special Teams Leaders Set Marks Across Conferences
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson opened September with a flawless performance, converting all eight extra-point tries and all eight field goal attempts. McPherson connected on five field goals from beyond 50 yards, establishing a new NFL benchmark. Last season, McPherson converted 25 of 28 attempts while establishing a personal long with a 63-yard field goal.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Myles Price claimed NFC special teams honors by leading the league with 353 kickoff return yards and 130 punt return yards. Price turned an 86-yard punt return against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into a touchdown, representing the sole punt return score across the NFL through September.
Rookies Earn Recognition in Kansas City and Tennessee
Kansas City offensive tackle Kahlil Benson secured the AFC rookie offensive honors after earning starts in all three games for the unbeaten Chiefs. Signing in May as an undrafted free agent out of college where he primarily played right tackle, Benson shifted to the left side for Kansas City, surrendering just seven quarterback pressures and one sack across 106 pass-blocking assignments for a 6.6 percent pressure rate.
In a competitive defensive rookie class, Tennessee Titans linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. captured monthly defensive accolades by racking up 34 total tackles. Selected 60th overall in the draft by Tennessee, Hill recorded 12 stops against the run—ranking fifth overall among linebackers—while maintaining a 5.6 percent missed-tackle rate.
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