Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba wins Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year

The second-year star delivered one of the NFL's best receiving seasons in 2025.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:39am

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks' second-year wide receiver, has been named the 2025 Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year after a historic season. He finished with 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns, accounting for over 46% of the Seahawks' receiving yards and helping quarterback Sam Darnold deliver another strong season.

Why it matters

Smith-Njigba's performance represents a significant jump from his strong 2024 season and solidifies him as one of the NFL's top wide receivers. His award marks the first time a wide receiver has won the Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year honor since Justin Jefferson in 2022, making him only the third wideout to claim the award after Antonio Brown and Jerry Rice.

The details

During the 2025 season, Smith-Njigba became a focal point of Seattle's offense, finishing with 119 receptions on 163 targets for 1,793 receiving yards. He also recorded 10 touchdowns and averaged 15.1 yards per catch with 105.5 yards per game. His on-field production was a significant jump from his strong 2024 campaign, when he recorded 100 catches for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns.

  • Smith-Njigba was named the 2025 Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year on January 29, 2026.
  • The Seahawks still have one game left to play in the 2025 season, the Super Bowl against the Patriots next Sunday.

The players

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

A second-year wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks who had a historic 2025 season, finishing with 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Sam Darnold

The Seahawks' quarterback who delivered another strong season after arriving from the Minnesota Vikings, with Smith-Njigba accounting for over 46% of the team's receiving yards.

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What they’re saying

“Smith-Njigba carried the Seahawks' passing game with more than 46 percent of their receiving yards to lift Sam Darnold to another strong season coming over from the Vikings.”

— Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News (The Sporting News)

What’s next

The Seahawks still have one game left to play in the 2025 season, the Super Bowl against the Patriots next Sunday.

The takeaway

Jaxon Smith-Njigba's dominant 2025 season and Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year award solidify him as one of the NFL's top wide receivers, and his performance was instrumental in helping the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl.