NFL Honors Spotlight Buckeye Greatness as Vrabel, Smith-Njigba Take Center Stage Ahead of Super Bowl LX
The road to Super Bowl LX officially ran through Columbus, Ohio Thursday night, as two former Buckeyes stole the show at the NFL Honors in San Francisco. Mike Vrabel and Jaxon Smith-Njigba-both Ohio State alumni-walked away with hardware, and in doing so, set up a compelling Buckeye-vs.-Buckeye showdown for the Lombardi Trophy.
Vrabel, in his first season as the head coach of the New England Patriots, was named the 2025 AP NFL Coach of the Year. Just moments later, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba earned Offensive Player of the Year honors, capping a season that felt like a long time coming for the ultra-talented pass catcher.
Let’s start with Vrabel. This is his second time winning Coach of the Year-he first claimed the honor in 2021 with the Tennessee Titans.
But this one might mean even more. He becomes just the seventh coach in league history to win the award with two different franchises, a rare feat that puts him in elite company and reaffirms his place among the NFL’s top sideline minds.
What he’s done in Foxborough is nothing short of remarkable. Taking over a Patriots team that limped to a 4-13 finish the year before, Vrabel engineered a complete turnaround.
New England stormed to a 14-3 regular-season record, reclaimed the AFC East title, and punched its ticket to the Super Bowl. That’s not just a bounce-back year-that’s a franchise reboot.
And Vrabel didn’t just win games-he reshaped the Patriots’ identity. The defense, once a shell of its former self, found new life under his leadership. And on offense, rookie quarterback Drake Maye looked far more seasoned than expected, thanks in large part to Vrabel’s steady hand and ability to build a system around his young talent.
Then there’s Smith-Njigba, who finally made the leap from promising prospect to full-blown star. In just his third NFL season, the Seahawks wideout led the league with 1,793 receiving yards, hauled in 119 catches, and found the end zone 10 times. That’s not just production-that’s dominance.
He edged out strong competition from Puka Nacua and Christian McCaffrey for the award, but there was no denying his impact. Smith-Njigba became the first Seahawk to win Offensive Player of the Year since Shaun Alexander in 2005, and his chemistry with quarterback Sam Darnold turned Seattle’s passing game into one of the league’s most explosive units.
His season was filled with highlight-reel moments, but none more jaw-dropping than his one-handed catch in the NFC Championship Game-a play that instantly became one of the signature images of the 2025 campaign. It was the kind of moment that reminds you why this game is special, and why Smith-Njigba is a name we’ll be hearing for years to come.
Now, the two former Buckeyes find themselves on opposite sidelines with everything on the line. Vrabel’s Patriots.
Smith-Njigba’s Seahawks. A head coach who’s revived a storied franchise versus a wide receiver who’s redefined what it means to be a No. 1 option.
They shared the stage Thursday night to celebrate individual excellence. On Sunday, only one of them will walk away with the ultimate prize.
Super Bowl LX isn’t just a clash of two elite teams-it’s a showcase of what happens when talent, preparation, and Ohio State pedigree collide at the highest level.