2023 mid-season awards for the Indianapolis Colts

Colts mid-season Offensive Player of the Year: WR Michael Pittman Jr.

It's been another year on the quarterback carousel for MPJ, but he continues to produce quality numbers. The fourth-year receiver has eight or more receptions in seven different games this year, proving his value to a passing offense that has room for improvement.

The Colts have yet to extend Pittman Jr.'s contract which ends this season. After releasing former All-Pro linebacker Shaq Leonard, general manager Chris Ballard has plenty of money to work with heading into next year. The former USC Trojan should be a top priority for Ballard as the Colts look to build around franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Colts mid-season Defensive Player of the Year: LB Zaire Franklin

This choice is a tough one between Zaire Franklin and CB Kenny Moore II, but the NFL's solo tackle leader has to take the cake. Even with a game missed and a bye week, Zaire Franklin has 76 solo tackles on the year. To put it into perspective, the next highest solo tackle total by a player with only nine games played is 51 by San Francisco's Dre Greenlaw.

The seventh-round pick has taken a giant leap this year and his value can't be understated. With Leonard leaving the team, expect Franklin's numbers to continue to only get better as the Colts look to make a final playoff push.