Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week, sponsored by Pepsi, is an award presented to the top performing rookie players in the National Football League. Each week, a list of nominees is developed, based on exemplary individual statistical performances from that week's games (Thursday through Monday night). The weekly winners are then voted on by fans via an online poll at NFL.com and the winners are typically announced on Wednesday or Thursday. At the conclusion of the season five finalists are tallied for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award.
As of 2025, Jayden Daniels holds the record for most awards, earning the award 11 times during his rookie season, passing Ben Roethlisberger.
First presented in 2002, the award has sometimes been named after other varieties of Pepsi, such as Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero Sugar. It is separate from the NFL Rookie of the Month Award, which is selected by an expert panel rather than a fan vote.
Winners 2002 Week Player Team Position Key statistics and notes1Randy McMichaelMiamiTE4 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD2Josh ReedBuffaloWR8 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD3Randy McMichael (2)MiamiTE5 receptions, 79 yards, 1 TD4Phillip BuchanonOaklandCB1 INT; 2 punt returns for 78 yards, 1 TD5Phillip Buchanon (2)OaklandCB1 INT for 81 yards and 1 TD6Marques AndersonGreen BayS1 INT for 22 yards, 11 tackles7Marques Anderson (2)Green BayS 4 tackles, 5 assists8André DavisClevelandWR3 receptions, 29 yards, 1 TD9Daniel GrahamNew EnglandTE3 receptions, 68 yards10Marques Anderson (3)Green BayS1 INT for 14 yards, 1 TD11Jeremy ShockeyNY GiantsTE11 receptions, 111 yards12William GreenClevelandRB28 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD13Tony FisherGreen BayRB17 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 15 yards14William Green (2)ClevelandRB26 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 25 yards15Clinton PortisDenverRB21 carries, 130 yards, 3 TD; 3 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD16Jeremy Shockey (2)NY GiantsTE7 receptions, 116 yards17William Green (3)ClevelandRB27 carries, 178 yards, 2 TD; 2 receptions, 9 yardsJeremy ShockeyNY GiantsTE894 yards, 2 TD
2003 Week Player Team Position Key statistics and notes1Anquan BoldinArizonaWR10 receptions, 217 yards, 2 TD2Nick BarnettGreen BayLB1 INT for 14 yards3Asante SamuelNew EnglandCB1 INT for 55 yards, 1 TD4Andre JohnsonHoustonWR8 receptions, 97 yards5Nick Barnett (2)Green BayLB1 sack6Nick Barnett (3)Green BayLB7Domanick DavisHoustonRB27 carries, 129 yards; 9 receptions, 70 yards8Domanick Davis (2)HoustonRB25 carries, 109 yards, 2 TD; 7 receptions, 27 yards9Domanick Davis (3)HoustonRB12 carries, 74 yards; 1 reception, -3 yards10Domanick Davis (4)HoustonRB15 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 11 yards11Andre Johnson (2)HoustonWR4 receptions, 122 yards, 1 TD12Charles TillmanChicagoCB1 sack13Domanick Davis (5)HoustonRB24 carries, 101 yards, 2 TD; 2 receptions, 27 yards14Lance BriggsChicagoLB1 INT for 45 yards, TD15Terence NewmanDallasCB3 INT for 23 yards16Boss BaileyDetroitLB17Victor HobsonNY JetsLB1 INT for 26 yardsDomanick DavisHoustonRB1,031 yards, 8 TD; 351 receiving yards
2004 Week Player Team Position Key statistics and notes1Erik ColemanNY JetsS1 INT for 4 yards2Roy WilliamsDetroitWR4 receptions, 73 yards and 2 TD3Ben RoethlisbergerPittsburghQB12/22, 163 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 1 carry, 2 yards4Ben Roethlisberger (2)PittsburghQB17/25, 174 yards, 1 TD; 4 carries, 2 yards5Ben Roethlisberger (3)PittsburghQB16/21, 231 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 6 carries, 13 yards, 1 TD6Ben Roethlisberger (4)PittsburghQB21/25, 193 yards, 2 TD; 2 carries, 8 yards7Mewelde MooreMinnesotaRB20 carries, 138 yards; 5 receptions, 30 yards; 1 kickoff return for 19 yards8Ben Roethlisberger (5)PittsburghQB18/24, 196 yards, 2 TD; 5 carries, 3 yards9Ben Roethlisberger (6)PittsburghQB11/18, 183 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 6 carries, 10 yards10Bob SandersIndianapolisS11Ben Roethlisberger (7)PittsburghQB15/21, 138 yards, 1 TD; 9 carries, 16 yards12Ahmad CarrollGreen BayCB1 INT13Ben Roethlisberger (8)PittsburghQB14/17, 221 yards, 2 TD; 3 carries, 40 yards14Michael ClaytonTampa BayWR9 receptions, 145 yards, 1 TD15Eli ManningNY GiantsQB16/23, 182 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 2 carries, 18 yards16Ben Roethlisberger (9)PittsburghQB14/19, 221 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 2 carries, 11 yards17Eli Manning (2)NY GiantsQB18/27, 144 yards, 3 TD, 1 INTBen RoethlisbergerPittsburghQB2,621 yards, 17 TD, 11 INT; 144 rushing yards, 1 TD
2005 Week Player Team Position Key statistics and notes1Carnell WilliamsTampa BayRB27 carries, 148 yards; 71-yard game-clinching TD run2Carnell Williams (2)Tampa BayRB24 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD3Carnell Williams (3)Tampa BayRB37 carries, 158 yards; NFL record 434 rushing yards in first three games4Dominique FoxworthDenverCB5Tyson ThompsonDallasRB20 carries, 75 yards6Odell ThurmanCincinnatiLB7Kyle OrtonChicagoQB8Heath MillerPittsburghTE3 receptions, 18 yards, 2 TD9Reggie BrownPhiladelphiaWR5 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD10Samkon GadoGreen BayRB25 carries, 103 yards and 2 TD; 4 receptions, 5 yards, 1 TD11Shawne MerrimanSan DiegoLB2 sacks12Ryan FitzpatrickSt. LouisQB13Charlie FryeClevelandQB13/20, 226 yards, 2 TD; 2 carries, 10 yards14Samkon Gado (2)Green BayRB29 carries, 171 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 9 yards; 1 pass attempt15Charlie Frye (2)ClevelandQB21/32, 198 yards, 1 INT; 7 carries, 11 yards16DeMarcus WareDallasLB3 sacks17Charlie Frye (3)ClevelandQB22/37, 199 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 2 carries 8 yardsCarnell WilliamsTampa BayRB1,178 yards, 6 TD; 81 receiving yards
2006 Week Player Team Position Key statistics and notes1Reggie BushNew OrleansRB15 carries, 67 yards; 7 receptions, 52 yards; 3 punt returns, 21 yards2 Manny LawsonSan FranciscoLB3 tackles, 2 sacks3Greg JenningsGreen BayWR3 receptions, 101 yards, 1 TD4Laurence MaroneyNew EnglandRB15 carries, 125 yards, 1 TD5Hank BaskettPhiladelphiaWR3 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD6Santonio HolmesPittsburghWR2 receptions, 58 yards; 99 total return yards7A. J. HawkGreen BayLB12 tackles (9 solo), 1 sack8Marques ColstonNew OrleansWR6 receptions, 163 yards, 2 TD9Marques Colston (2)New OrleansWR11 receptions, 123 yards, 1 TD10A. J. Hawk (2)Green BayLB12 tackles (five solo), sack, forced fumble11Santonio Holmes (2)PittsburghWR5 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD12Vince YoungTennesseeQB24/35, 249 yards, 2 TD; 10 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD13Vince Young (2)TennesseeQB15/25, 163 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; 9 carries, 78 yards14Vince Young (3)TennesseeQB19/29 attempts, 218 yards, 1 INT; 7 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD15 Jay CutlerDenverQB21/31, 261 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT16Vince Young (4)TennesseeQB13/20, 183 yards, 2 TD; 8 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD17Hank Baskett (2)PhiladelphiaWR7 receptions, 177 yards, 1 TDVince YoungTennesseeQB2,199 yards, 12 TD, 13 INT; 552 rushing yards, 7 TD
2007 Week Player Team Position Key statistics and notes1Patrick WillisSan FranciscoLB11 tackles (9 solo), forced fumble2Patrick Willis (2)San FranciscoLB8 tackles (5 solo)3Dwayne BoweKansas CityWR5 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD4Dwayne Bowe (2)Kansas CityWR8 receptions, 164 yards, 1 TD5Nick FolkDallasPK4-for-4 FG, 1 PAT, onside kick, game-winning 53-yard FG as time expired6Adrian PetersonMinnesotaRB20 carries, 224 yards, 3 TD (67, 73, 35 yards); 128 kickoff return yards7 Marshawn LynchBuffaloRB27 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 14 yards8James JonesGreen BayWR3 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD9Adrian Peterson (2)MinnesotaRB30 carries, 296 yards (single-game NFL record), 3 TD10Marshawn Lynch (2)BuffaloRB19 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 24 yards11Ted Ginn Jr.MiamiWR87-yard punt return TD; 4 receptions, 52 yards12Patrick Willis (3)San FranciscoLB18 tackles (17 solo), half-sack13Trent EdwardsBuffaloQB22/36, 257 yards; game-winning 60-yard scoring drive14Trent Edwards (2)BuffaloQB11/23, 165 yards, 4 TD15Mason CrosbyGreen BayPK4-for-4 FG (long of 50 yards); 3 PAT16Patrick Willis (4)San FranciscoLB20 tackles (12 solo), 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defended17Brandon JacksonGreen BayRB20 carries, 113 yards; 2 receptions, 22 yardsAdrian PetersonMinnesotaRB1,341 yards, 12 TD; 268 receiving yards, 1 TD
2008 Week Player Team Position Key statistics and notes1Eddie RoyalDenverWR9 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD2Felix JonesDallasRB3 carries, 10 yards; 247 kickoff return yards (98-yard TD)3Felix Jones (2)DallasRB6 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD4Chris HortonWashingtonS3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass defended5Felix Jones (3)DallasRB9 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD6Matt RyanAtlantaQB22/30, 301 yards, 1 TD7Chris JohnsonTennesseeRB18 carries, 168 yards, 1 TD8Joe FlaccoBaltimoreQB12/24, 140 yards, 1 TD; 12-yard rushing TD9Chris Johnson (2)TennesseeRB24 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD; 6 receptions, 72 yards10Eddie Royal (2)DenverWR6 receptions, 164 yards, 1 TD11Spencer LarsenDenverFB/LB7 tackles; first player in DEN history to start on offense (FB) and defense (LB)12Matt ForteChicagoRB21 carries, 139 yards, 2 TD13Peyton HillisDenverRB22 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD14Ryan CladyDenverOTAllowed QB Jay Cutler to throw for 286 yards, 2 TD; prevented KC from recording a sack; helped DEN total 139 yards rushing15Matt Ryan (2)AtlantaQB15/23, 206 yards, 2 INT16Matt Ryan (3)AtlantaQB13/24, 134 yards, 1 TD17Joe Flacco (2)BaltimoreQB17/23, 297 yardsJoe FlaccoBaltimoreQB2,971 yards, 14 TD, 12 INT; 180 rushing yards, 2 TD
2009 Week Player Team Position Key statistics and notes1Mark SanchezNY JetsQB18/33, 272 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT2Mark Sanchez (2)NY JetsQB14/22, 163 yards, 1 TD3Mark Sanchez (3)NY JetsQB17/30, 171 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT4Knowshon MorenoDenverRB14 carries, 65 yards; 2 receptions, 11 yards, 1 TD5Knowshon Moreno (2)DenverRB21 carries, 88 yards; 4 receptions, 36 yards6Clay Matthews IIIGreen BayLB3 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 batted pass7Percy HarvinMinnesotaWR216 all-purpose yards (42 yards receiving, 7 yards rushing, 167 kickoff return yards); 88-yard kickoff return TD8Percy Harvin (2)MinnesotaWR261 all-purpose yards (84 yards receiving, 2 yards rushing, 175 kickoff return yards); 51-yard receiving TD9Mike WallacePittsburghWR4 receptions, 69 yards, 25-yard receiving TD10Clay Matthews III (2)Green BayLB1 tackle, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries11Matthew StaffordDetroitQB26/43, 422 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT12Knowshon Moreno (3)DenverRB19 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD13Knowshon Moreno (4)DenverRB21 carries, 86 yards and 2 TD14Brian OrakpoWashingtonLB6 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble15Mike Wallace (2)PittsburghWR2 receptions, 79 yards, 2 TD16Jeremy MaclinPhiladelphiaWR6 receptions, 92 yards17Mike Wallace (3)PittsburghWR2 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TDPercy HarvinMinnesotaWR790 yards, 6 TD; 13 rushing yards; 1,156 return yards, 2 TD
2010 Week Player Team Position Key statistics and notes1Dexter McClusterKansas CityKR/PR94-yard punt return TD2Jahvid BestDetroitRB17 rushes, 78 yards, 2 TD; 9 receptions, 154 yards, 1 TD3Tony MoeakiKansas CityTE4 receptions, 44 yards, 1 TD4Sam BradfordSt. LouisQB23/41, 289 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT5Max HallArizonaQB17/27, 168 yards, 1 INT6Chris IvoryNew OrleansRB15 carries, 158 yards; 17 yards passing7Dez BryantDallasWR/PR171 total yards, 3 TD (including 93-yard punt return TD)8Ndamukong SuhDetroitDT2 sacks, 4 tackles, 17-yard fumble return TD9Jacoby FordOaklandWR148 receiving yards, 94-yard kickoff return TD10Tim TebowDenverQB1 passing TD; 1 rushing TD11Bryan McCannDallasPR97-yard punt return TD; 1 tackle12Sam Bradford (2)St. LouisQB22/37, 308 yards, 3 TD13Sean LeeDallasLB2 INT, 44 return yards (includes 31-yard INT return TD)14Rob GronkowskiNew EnglandTE5 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD15Aaron HernandezNew EnglandTE4 receptions, 31 yards, 2 TD16Tim Tebow (2)DenverQB16/29, 308 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 27 yards rushing, 1 rushing TD17Rob Gronkowski (2)New EnglandTE6 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD Ndamukong SuhDetroitDT66 tackles (49 solo), 10 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF
2011