NFL contributes to embarrassing mistake involving the Seahawks, and star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is clearly not pleased
JSN finally received the trophy as the Offensive Player of the Year in 2025, but let’s say it wasn’t exactly how the offensive weapon expected.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a magical season in 2025. With 119 catches, 1,793 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns, he was named the Offensive Player of the Year en route to the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning season. Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro selections were natural parts of that as well.
The NFL still found a way to make JSN mad, though. The star wide receiver finally received his trophy as the OPOY, but there’s a not-so-small detail: The trophy says “Defensive Player of the Year.” Welp.
“It’s getting disrespectful at this point”
Via his social media platforms, Smith-Njigba addressed the weird situation.
“Not really wanna expose them,” JSN said. “This is getting disrespectful, guys. Defensive? Come on, guys. One word, man.”
Obviously, it’s just a mistake, and not something intentional. But it’s wild that nobody reviewed the trophy and what was written on it before sending it to the player.
Underrated weapon
Beyond the trophy situation, Jaxon Smith-Njigba still feels like an underrated offensive player in the NFL — and this award helps mitigate that. He’s usually not talked in the same stratosphere as guys like Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, for example.
In part, that’s because JSN played 60% of his NFL snaps in the slot. Last year, though, he played 76.8% of the plays as an outside receiver and his production exploded. He had an 11.7 average depth of target, with 3.62 yards per route run, and a 120.8 passer rating when targeted.
A first-round pick back in 2023, Smith-Njigba is clearly one of the most productive and efficient offensive weapons in football.
At least, the Seattle Seahawks recognize that. Earlier this offseason, the receiver got a four-year, $168 million contract extension. The deal makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in football and keeps him in Seattle through 2031.