Super Bowl Champion Thinks Jaxon Smith-Njigba Was the Best NFL Player Last Year, Over MVP Matthew Stafford

Jaxon Smith-Njigba missed out on the NFL's best player award, but he has a second chance at the ESPYs in July.

Super Bowl Champion Thinks Jaxon Smith-Njigba Was the Best NFL Player Last Year, Over MVP Matthew Stafford

Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Uchenna Nwosu inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

Uchenna Nwosu says Seattle teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba deserved to win the best player award. JSN elevated his game to an entirely different level, carrying the Seahawks’ offense following DK Metcalf’s departure.

While appearing on ESPN, Nwosu noted how quickly JSN adapted to receiving from Sam Darnold. He caught 119 passes from 163 targets for 1793 yards (most in the league) and scored 10 touchdowns in the regular season. He further scored a crucial TD in the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams to secure a win.

JSN missed out on winning the league MVP award, which went to Rams QB Matthew Stafford. The league picked him as the best Offensive Player of the Year.

With the ESPY’s taking place on July 15, Nwosu feels that Smith-Njigba is due for the best player award.

[Just like you said] he’s the best NFL player of the year… The things he’s been able to do offensively, new system, new quarterback… Jax [Jaxon Smith-Njigba] the way he is; very composed guy. You know, he trusts his work, his athleticism, he trusts the coaches, and his got God-given talent, and he was able to a lot of special things. He’s getting better and better. Jax is definitely the best player this year.

Uchenna Nwosu said

JSN is the first Seahawks player to win the coveted OPOY honor since legendary running back Shaun Alexander in 2005.

The Seahawks rewarded Smith-Njigba with a four-year, $168 million contract extension, making him the NFL’s highest-paid receiver. However, the job is not yet complete. JSN remains hungry for more silverware and will take the field next season to reclaim his winner’s medal.

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba to wear a special badge next season

He may have missed out on the best player award, but very few can say that they were the league’s best offensive player. The league is making sure everyone knows about it.

Super Bowl Champion Thinks Jaxson Smith-Njigba Was the Best Nfl Player Last Year, Over Mvp Matthew Stafford
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Image via IMAGO)

For the 2026 season, Smith-Njigba and athletes with individual honors will wear a shield on their jerseys.

It’s a fairly new concept. The league instituted the tradition last year. Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, and Patrick Surtain were the first to wear them.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba earns a rare honor

In early June, The Times Magazine published its fresh new batch of 100 Most Influential individuals in world sports. Only four NFL players made the list. Smith-Njigba is one of them. The other three names on the list are Barkley, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, DE Myles Garrett (the Rams), and the Raiders’ rookie QB Fernando Mendoza.

The Seahawks mostly boast an unchanged roster. Despite being the current world champions, the Seahawks aren’t the favorites to go back-to-back. According to FOX Sports, the Rams (with +550) have the best odds to win the final at SoFi Stadium. Seattle has +1100 odds (fourth best)

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