Former player claims Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the 'actual MVP'
The Seattle Seahawks have been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season and a lot of that is because of the phenomenal play of third-year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The Seahawks wideout has topped 100 receiving yards in all but two of Seattle's eight games this season and currently leads the league with 948 receiving yards, more than 100 yards ahead of Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase (831).
Although Smith-Njigba is only tied for the 14th-fewest odds to win the NFL MVP (+10000, per DraftKings), former player and current ESPN analyst Andrew Hawkins believes he is the 'actual MVP,' and he certainly has a point.
Andrew Hawkins puts Jaxon Smith-Njigba at the top of MVP race
"Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the actual MVP of the NFL. ... The person who is dominating is JSN," Hawkins said during an appearance on Thursday's edition of "Get Up." "He's averaging 118 yards per game. Last year, he had 1,100 yards. He has 948 (yards) in eight games (this season). Last thing I'll say, 4.6 yards per route. Had Calvin Johnson done that in 2012 when he broke the receiving record, he would have had 3,503 yards that season."
Quarterbacks have won the MVP award each season dating back to the 2013 campaign, with former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson taking the crown in 2012. Amazingly, no WR has ever won the award, so the odds are certainly stacked against Smith-Njigba.
With that said, his 2025 season he been nothing short of extraordinary. His 948 yards are by far the most on the Seahawks, well ahead of Cooper Kupp, who has 293 yards.
Not only that, he has been QB Sam Darnold's clear go-to option, with his 79 targets more than twice as many as Kupp (33). That speaks to a player who is reliable, but also willing to make plays down the field whenever the ball is in his vicinity.
Let's face it, 12 of the 13 players ahead of Smith-Njigba on the oddsboard are QBs, so it will likely not matter how his dominant season so far stacks up in the end. Johnson had 1,964 yards when he set the receiving yards record back in 2012, but Smith-Njigba is on pace to eclipse that mark if he stays healthy and remains at his current pace.
As impressive as that would be, all signs point to that still not being enough for him to actually win the MVP award. However, that would still be a remarkable accomplishment and one that would definitely be MVP worthy, even if the award goes elsewhere.
Colby Colwell
Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family
BREAKING: Jonathan Taylor’s Shocking Louis Store Snub: NFL Star Turned Away for Casual Look
In an unbelievable turn of events, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was recently denied entry into a prestigious Louis store for being "too casually dressed." But when store employees discovered they had just turned away the NFL star, they were left utterly speechless. Taylor had been trying to buy a special gift for his family. Despite being a talented and promising player in the NFL, the store’s staff failed to recognize him and made a snap judgment based solely on his appearance.
Jonathan Taylor, known for his explosive power and agility, encountered an unexpected situation when he tried to enter a luxury Louis store in Indianapolis. Dressed casually, Taylor was told that his outfit didn’t meet the store’s dress code. The employees, unaware of his identity, quickly denied him entry. It wasn’t until later that they realized they had just turned away one of the NFL’s rising stars.
Instead of reacting with frustration or anger, Taylor handled the situation with grace. He simply walked away, unaffected by the judgment. “It’s not about what you wear; it’s about who you are and how you carry yourself,” Taylor said after the incident. His calm response further reinforced his reputation as a composed and focused athlete, someone who doesn’t let superficial judgments affect him.
The incident quickly went viral, with fans and analysts alike expressing disbelief at how easily judgments were made based on his casual outfit. Taylor's response highlights the importance of not defining someone by their clothing, especially when that person’s worth comes from their actions and accomplishments.
The NFL community rallied behind Jonathan Taylor, condemning the actions of the Louis store and praising Taylor for his dignified response. This incident serves as a reminder that no one should be judged solely based on their appearance. For Taylor, his worth and success are defined by his leadership on the field and his relentless pursuit of excellence, not his wardrobe.
For Jonathan Taylor, the true measure of success will always be on the field—and that’s what truly defines him.
