The Seattle Seahawks are making serious noise this awards season, with four key figures earning finalist nods for some of the NFL’s most prestigious year-end honors. It’s a testament to how far this team has come - and just how much talent is packed into every corner of the organization, from the sideline to the secondary.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: A Breakout Year Worthy of Hardware
Let’s start with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The third-year wideout didn’t just have a good season - he had a historic one.
He led the entire league with 1,793 receiving yards, caught 119 passes, and found the end zone 10 times. That’s not just volume; that’s dominance.
He set new Seahawks franchise records for both receiving yards and receptions in a single season, and his yardage total ranks eighth all-time in NFL history. That’s rare air.
Smith-Njigba’s route-running was as crisp as ever, but what really stood out this year was his ability to turn short gains into chunk plays. Whether it was working the middle of the field or stretching defenses deep, he was the engine behind Seattle’s aerial attack.
It’s no surprise he’s already been named Offensive Player of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America and earned a spot as a first-team All-Pro. Now he’s one of five finalists for AP Offensive Player of the Year, standing alongside some of the league’s brightest stars - Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, Puka Nacua, and Drake Maye.
Nick Emmanwori: Rookie Disruptor on Defense
On the other side of the ball, rookie safety Nick Emmanwori wasted no time making his presence felt. A second-round pick out of South Carolina, Emmanwori brought versatility and physicality to Seattle’s secondary. He finished third on the team in tackles with 81, and his stat line reads like a Swiss Army knife of defensive production: 11 passes defended, 9 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception across 14 games.
But it’s his impact beyond the box score that really pops. According to Pro Football Focus, Emmanwori generated 18 total quarterback pressures - nearly double the next-highest rookie defensive back.
That kind of disruption from the safety position is rare, and it’s a big reason why he’s a finalist for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. He’ll be going up against a strong group that includes Abdul Carter, Carson Schwesinger, James Pearce Jr., and Xavier Watts.
Mike Macdonald: Building a Contender in Year Two
Then there’s head coach Mike Macdonald, who has quickly put his stamp on this franchise. In just his second year at the helm, Macdonald guided the Seahawks to a 14-3 record, their first NFC West crown since 2020, and the top seed in the NFC playoffs. That’s a four-win jump from last season, and it came with a defense that led the league in scoring - a hallmark of Macdonald’s coaching DNA.
Seattle’s identity under Macdonald is clear: tough, disciplined, and opportunistic. He’s one of five finalists for AP Coach of the Year, alongside some heavy hitters in Kyle Shanahan, Mike Vrabel, Liam Coen, and Ben Johnson. But Macdonald’s case is compelling - he took a team that was still finding its footing and turned it into a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Klint Kubiak: A New Voice, A New Look Offense
And let’s not forget Klint Kubiak, who in his first year as offensive coordinator helped engineer one of the league’s most balanced and explosive units. Seattle finished third in scoring, eighth in total and passing yards, and cracked the top 10 in rushing - a massive leap from last season’s 28th-ranked ground game. The Seahawks averaged 123.3 rushing yards per game, up from just 95.7 a year ago.
Kubiak’s fingerprints are all over this offensive resurgence. He blended tempo, creativity, and physicality, getting the most out of a young quarterback and a dynamic skill group. Now he’s in the running for AP Assistant Coach of the Year, joining a finalist group that includes defensive masterminds like Vic Fangio, Brian Flores, and Vance Joseph, as well as Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
What’s Next
The winners will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony on February 5, airing live on NBC and NFL Network, and streaming on Peacock and NFL+. But regardless of the final results, the message is clear: the Seahawks are no longer flying under the radar. With elite talent on the field and sharp minds on the sidelines, Seattle is building something real - and the rest of the league is officially on notice.