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A non-quarterback has won Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year again. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the first Seattle Seahawks superstar to win that award since SN's Player of the Year was split into Offensive and Defensive categories in 2008. JSN is the second Seahawk to get the nod overall after running back Shaun Alexander was SN's NFL Player of the Year in 2005.
Although Sporting News OPOY saw quarterbacks dominate early, winning 11 of the first 13 honors separated from defense, Smith-Njigba is the fifth consecutive player from another offensive position to be the leading vote-getter.
Smith-Njigba is the first wide receiver to win the award since the Vikings' Justin Jefferson in 2022. Since the OROY award was split, the Steelers' Antonio Brown also won in 2017. Here's looking at why JSN beat out some stiff competition from a prolific quarterback and a future Hall of Fame running back:
MORE SN NFL AWARDS: Full list of 2025 winners | All-Pro team | History of the awards
Why Jaxon Smith-Njigba is SN's 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Smith-Njigba had a huge season with his 119 catches on 163 targets for a league-leading 1,793 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns. He averaged 15.1 yards per catch and 105.5 receiving yards per game. He was responsible for more than 42 percent of the Seahawks' passing game production.
JSN was remarkably consistent, too, with at least 5 receptions and at least 72 receiving yards in 16 of 17 games. He helped Sam Darnold have another successful year in his transition from the Vikings and thrived in the new offense of Klint Kubiak as the clear No. 1 after DK Metcalf was traded to the Steelers.
Although Smith-Njigba once flirted with chasing a 2,000-yard season, he still ended up with the eight-highest single-season receiving yardage total in NFL history, behind Calvin Johnson, Cooper Kupp, Julio Jones, Jerry Rice, Brown, Jefferson and Tyreek Hill.
Drake Maye did have a breakout MVP-caliber season as the Patriots' second-year QB. He led the league with his 72.0 completion percentage, 113.5 passer rating and 8.9 average yards per passing attempt to go along with 31 passing touchdowns and 4,394 passing yards. He also rushed for 450 yards and 4 more TDs. Maye will still end being a runner-up for the major OPOY award and the AP MVP (behind Matthew Stafford).
Christian McCaffrey would have a stronger case to win his elusive first SN OPOY with the 49ers, but he fell short of his unprecedented second 1,000-yard rushing and 1,000-yard receiving season. He ended up with a league-high 413 touches (including 102 receptions) for 2,126 scrimmage yards and 17 total TDs.
In the end, JSN stood out more for a different 14-3 team that wasn't Maye's Patriots. His Seahawks team also won the NFC West by two games over the Rams the McCaffrey's 49ers, both 12-5. With the Seahawks not having a lot of household-name stars, JSN played a huge part in carrying their run-heavy but explosive passing offense. He was the non-QB offensive MVP league, adding up to ultimate peer respect and SN OPOY honors.
MORE JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA NEWS:
- How JSN edged Puka Nacua as NFL's best WR in 2025
- Ranking best Ohio State WRs in the NFL
- Revisiting Ohio State's stacked 2021 wide receiver depth chart
Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year Winners (since '08)
- 2025: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks
- 2024: Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles
- 2023: Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
- 2022: Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
- 2021: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
- 2020: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
- 2019: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
- 2018: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
- 2017: Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers
- 2016: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
- 2015: Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
- 2014: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
- 2013: Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos
- 2012: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
- 2011: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
- 2010: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
- 2009: Drew Brees, QB, Saints
- 2008: Drew Brees, QB, Saints
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