Smith-Njigba beats out CMC, Nacua as NFL's top offensive player
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba added to his outstanding season Thursday, beating out Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua and other finalists to win the Offensive Player of the Year award at the NFL Honors ceremony.
Smith-Njigba claimed the first first-team All-Pro berth of his career in 2025 after leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards. Smith-Njigba alone accounted for 44.1% of Seattle's receiving yards. He also caught 119 passes for 10 touchdowns.
Nacua, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Atlanta Falcons tailback Bijan Robinson, and New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye were also OPOY finalists. MVP favorite Matthew Stafford notably didn't make the cut, leaving many around the league confused.
| Player | First-place votes | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 14 | 272 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 12 | 223 |
| Puka Nacua | 8 | 170 |
| Bijan Robinson | 6 | 168 |
| Drake Maye | 5 | 58 |
With the MVP becoming an award dominated by quarterbacks, the Offensive Player of the Year has often honored the NFL's most dominant non-QB. McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley took home the award in the previous two seasons, and Justin Jefferson (2022) was the last pass-catcher to win it before Smith-Njigba.
Smith-Njigba's fellow teammate Cooper Kupp also claimed this honor as a member of the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. Kupp went on to become Super Bowl MVP that season.
Smith-Njigba, Kupp, and the Seahawks play the Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Sunday.