The National Football League has named its top players for September, honoring standout performances across the American Football Conference and National Football Conference as reported. The league selected three players per conference—covering offense, defense, and special teams—along with two rookie selections to anchor the monthly honors.
Brock Purdy Leads San Francisco 49ers with Record-Setting September
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy claimed NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors after completing 60 of 83 pass attempts for 789 yards, nine passing touchdowns, one rushing score, and a single interception. His 72.3 completion percentage and 133.1 passer rating pace the entire NFL through the opening month of the season. Purdy stands as the lone quarterback to throw multiple touchdown passes and record a passer rating of at least 100 in each of the first three weeks.
During Week 2, Purdy became the first player in NFL history to complete at least 90 percent of his passes while attempting at least 20 throws, accumulating 287 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and a rushing score in a single contest. This marks the first career Player of the Month award for Purdy. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famers Steve Young and Joe Montana, alongside Jeff Garcia, as the only quarterbacks in 49ers franchise history to earn the monthly designation.
Jevón Holland Anchors New York Giants Defense with Frequent Takeaways
New York Giants safety Jevón Holland secured NFC Defensive Player of the Month recognition after compiling 12 tackles, four pass defenses, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery across the first three weeks. Holland shares the NFL lead in interceptions and remains the only player this season to record an interception in each of his team’s opening three games. His four total takeaways match the highest mark by any NFL player through three games since Marcus Peters accomplished the feat with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016.
Records indicate Holland is only the second player since 2000 to collect at least three interceptions and two forced fumbles through a team’s first three games, joining Kyle Fuller, who did so with the Chicago Bears in 2014. The accolade is the first career monthly defensive honor for Holland. He stands as the eighth Giants player to receive the award and the first since Landon Collins in November 2016, with Collins and Holland serving as the only safeties in franchise history to win the distinction.
Myles Price Dominates Return Game for Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Myles Price earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Month after pacing the league with 353 kickoff return yards, 130 punt return yards, 483 total return yards, and a punt return touchdown. His 483 combined return yards represent the highest total for any NFL player through three games since Josh Cribbs recorded 488 yards with the Cleveland Browns in 2007. In Week 3, Price returned a punt 86 yards for a score to help push the Vikings to a 3-0 record, making him the only NFL player this season and the first Viking since Marcus Sherels in 2016 to house a punt return.
This award marks the first career monthly special teams honor for Price. He joins Percy Harvin, who won in September 2012, and Cordarrelle Patterson, who earned the honor in September 2013, as the only wide receivers in Vikings history to capture the monthly league recognition.
Kenneth Walker Powers Kansas City Chiefs Out of the Backfield
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker claimed AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors by accumulating 442 yards from scrimmage—360 rushing and 82 receiving—along with four total touchdowns split evenly between rushing and receiving scores. Walker became the first player in NFL history to register both a rushing and a receiving touchdown in two of his first three games with a new franchise. He also joined an elite group as the fifth player in league history to post at least 175 scrimmage yards in each of the first two games of a season, matching Hall of Famers Jim Brown and O.J.
The monthly award is the first of Walker’s career. He represents just the third Chiefs running back to claim the offensive honor over the last 20 seasons, following Kareem Hunt in September 2017 and Jerrick McKinnon in December 2022.
Greg Rousseau Disrupts Backfields for Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau seized AFC Defensive Player of the Month by recording 15 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, and three forced fumbles during September. Rousseau became only the third player since 1982—when individual sacks became an official statistic—to register at least two sacks in each of his team’s first three games of a season, joining Mark Gastineau of the New York Jets in 1984 and Hall of Famer Kevin Greene of the Carolina Panthers in 1998.
This is the first career monthly defensive award for Rousseau. He stands as the fifth linebacker in Bills franchise history to receive the accolade, following Lorenzo Alexander, Cornelius Bennett, Sam Cowart, and Bryce Paup.
Evan McPherson Perfect Through September for Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson rounded out the conference honors by converting all eight of his field goal attempts and all eight extra points for a total of 32 points in September. McPherson connected on five field goals from 50 yards or beyond during the month, leading all NFL kickers in long-distance conversions.
NFL Award Winners Return to Action in October
As the NFL calendar turns to October, the award winners return to action with varying stakes for their respective franchises.
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