Seahawks Star Jaxon Smith-Njigba Projected as Frontrunner for 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the early favorite to win the 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. This projection comes from an annual anonymous survey of league executives. The survey was conducted this week by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.

High-ranking officials from 30 teams participated. This includes 21 general managers. Their anonymity allows for candid assessments ahead of the official voting.

Survey Shows Clear Favorite Emerge

Jaxon Smith-Njigba received 15 of the 30 total votes. That is exactly half of the survey pool. His stellar 2025 season is the clear reason.

Smith-Njigba leads the league with 1,637 receiving yards. He also has 10 touchdowns on 104 receptions. This is his second consecutive season with over 100 catches.

He achieved this on a run-heavy Seahawks offense. Seattle passes just 51 percent of the time. That is the third-lowest rate in the NFL. According to Pelissero’s report, Smith-Njigba accounts for 44 percent of his team’s receiving yards.

Historic Season Could Rewrite Franchise Records

This performance puts the 23-year-old in rare company. He could become the first Seahawk to lead the NFL in receiving since Steve Largent in 1985. His 104 catches already set a new single-season franchise record.

Winning the award would be a major milestone. The last Seattle player to be named NFL Offensive Player of the Year was running back Shaun Alexander. He won it back in 2005 during his MVP season.

Other players received votes in the survey. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford finished as the runner-up with six votes. Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson each got two votes.

Several other stars received a single vote. That list includes Bills running back James Cook and Rams receiver Puka Nacua. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold also got one vote for the award.

The 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year race appears to have a clear frontrunner. Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s dominant season has captured the attention of league decision-makers. His historic production could soon be cemented with one of the league’s top honors.

Info at your fingertips

Who conducted the NFL Offensive Player of the Year survey?

NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero conducted the survey. He polled 30 high-ranking team executives, including 21 general managers. All participated anonymously this week.

What stats make Jaxon Smith-Njigba a candidate?

Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 1,637 receiving yards. He has 10 touchdowns and 104 receptions. He accounts for 44% of the Seahawks’ total receiving yards this season.

When did a Seahawk last win this award?

Running back Shaun Alexander won NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2005. He was also the league’s MVP that same season. No Seahawks receiver has ever won the award.

Why is Smith-Njigba’s production considered impressive?

His numbers are elite despite Seattle’s offensive style. The Seahawks pass the ball less than almost every other team. His high share of team yards is historically significant.

Which other players received votes?

Matthew Stafford got six votes as runner-up. Josh Allen and Bijan Robinson received two votes each. Several other stars, including Puka Nacua, received one vote.