The NFL Honors finalists are officially in, and if you're a Seahawks fan, you’ve got more than a few reasons to pay attention. Seattle is making waves across eight Associated Press award categories, with names popping up that reflect just how far this team has come-and how bright the future might be.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Offensive Player of the Year Finalist
Let’s start with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The second-year wideout has been electric all season, and now he's up for Offensive Player of the Year. He’s in elite company, sharing the spotlight with MVP contender Drake Maye, Puka Nacua, Christian McCaffrey, and Bijan Robinson.
Now, here’s where things get interesting: history hasn’t been kind to the idea of one player sweeping both MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. That’s why Maye’s presence in this category could actually open the door a bit for Smith-Njigba, depending on how the MVP vote shakes out.
Regardless, the fact that Smith-Njigba is even in this conversation speaks volumes about his growth and impact in just his second year. He’s not just a rising star-he’s arrived.
Mike Macdonald: Coach of the Year Contender
Then there’s Mike Macdonald, who has quickly gone from intriguing hire to legitimate Coach of the Year candidate. He’s up against some heavy hitters: Liam Coen, Ben Johnson, Mike Vrabel, and Kyle Shanahan.
Each of those coaches has a compelling case. Coen and Johnson took over struggling teams and turned them into division champs.
Vrabel has the Patriots on the brink of a Super Bowl. Shanahan?
He’s back in the playoffs despite dealing with a laundry list of injuries.
But Macdonald’s case is as strong as any. He led the Seahawks to the NFC’s top seed-something few outside of the Pacific Northwest saw coming.
It wasn’t just about wins; it was how they won. Discipline, resilience, and a defense that played with an edge.
Macdonald turned a team that many thought was in transition into a legitimate contender.
Klint Kubiak: Assistant Coach of the Year Finalist
Macdonald isn’t the only coach getting recognition. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is in the running for Assistant Coach of the Year, and that’s not just a nod to his play-calling. Kubiak’s offense found rhythm and identity, blending a strong run game with explosive passing concepts that maximized Smith-Njigba’s skill set and kept defenses guessing.
He’s up against Josh McDaniels, Vic Fangio, Brian Flores, and Vance Joseph. Flores is a particularly compelling name here-his defense was one of the league’s best despite a revolving door at quarterback. But Kubiak's work in Seattle has been nothing short of transformative, and it’s no surprise he’s drawing head coaching interest.
Nick Emmanwori: Defensive Rookie of the Year Finalist
On the defensive side, rookie Nick Emmanwori has made his presence felt in a big way. A hybrid defensive back-linebacker, Emmanwori brought versatility and playmaking to a defense that thrived on chaos. Now he’s a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year, facing off against James Pearce Jr., Carson Schwesinger, Xavier Watts, and Abdul Carter.
Pearce’s 10.5 sacks jump off the page, and Schwesinger has had a standout year in his own right. But Emmanwori is the only finalist who’s been anchoring a playoff-caliber defense, and that counts for something. He’s been a tone-setter, a difference-maker, and a key reason why Seattle’s defense made such a leap.
Seattle’s Surge
When you step back and look at the full picture, the Seahawks' strong presence across these awards is more than just a pat on the back-it’s a statement. From front office decisions to coaching hires to draft picks, this organization has hit on a lot of the right notes. And now, the league is taking notice.
Whether or not these Seahawks walk away with hardware, they’ve already proven something: Seattle isn’t just building for the future-they’re competing right now.