The NFL has recognized two standout rookie performances from October, naming Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate and Green Bay Packers cornerback Brandon Cisse the league's Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Month, respectively.
Both players made their presence felt throughout the month, delivering production on opposite sides of the football while adding their names to their respective franchises' award histories.
Carnell Tate Leads Rookie Receivers in October
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate earned the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month award after putting together an impressive October campaign.
Carnell-Tate-of-the-Tennessee-Titans
Tate finished the month with 21 receptions for 290 receiving yards and one touchdown. His 290 receiving yards led all rookies, while his 13.8 yards per reception ranked first among rookie receivers with at least 15 catches. His 21 receptions were the second-most among rookies during the month.
The recognition also places Tate among a select group of Tennessee players to receive the franchise's Offensive Rookie of the Month honor.
He becomes the fourth Titans player to earn the award, joining:
A.J. Brown – December 2019
Chris Johnson – September 2008
Marcus Mariota – September 2015
Tate also becomes the third former Ohio State wide receiver to earn Offensive Rookie of the Month honors. He joins Emeka Egbuka, who received the award in September 2025, and Chris Olave, who earned the recognition in September 2022.
Brandon Cisse Makes His Mark on the Packers Defense
On the defensive side, Green Bay Packers cornerback Brandon Cisse secured Defensive Rookie of the Month honors after delivering a productive October in the secondary.
Brandon cisse Green Bay packers
Cisse recorded 21 tackles, seven passes defensed, two tackles for loss, one interception and one sack during the month.
His seven passes defensed led all rookies, highlighting his impact in pass coverage. Cisse was also one of just three rookies to record at least 20 tackles and an interception in October. He was the only defensive back among that group.
The award adds Cisse to a short list of Green Bay defensive backs who have received the franchise's Defensive Rookie of the Month recognition.
He becomes the third Packers cornerback to earn the honor, joining:
Casey Hayward – October 2012
Damarious Randall – November 2015
Cisse also makes history as the first former South Carolina player to earn an NFL Rookie of the Month award.
Two Rookies, Two Franchises, One Standout October
Tate and Cisse took different paths to earning the league's monthly recognition, but their October performances demonstrated the impact both rookies are making at the professional level.
Tate established himself as one of the most productive rookie receivers during the month, while Cisse showcased his versatility and playmaking ability in Green Bay's secondary.
For both players, the recognition represents another milestone in the early stages of their NFL careers.
