Every year, 50 sportswriters and media members weigh in on who deserves the title of NFL’s Most Valuable Player, ranking their top five picks before the winner is revealed at the NFL Honors Ceremony.
This year, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell dropped a midseason MVP list that’s grabbing Seattle fans attention. Among his current 15 candidates, two Seattle Seahawks stars made the cut, with one landing in the current Top 5. Quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba are generating MVP buzz as Seattle’s continues its impressive run.
Barnwell admitted that, while he doesn’t usually offer an additional look between Week 9 and his end-of-season honors, this year feels different, and with enough time left in the season, anything could happen. He writes,
“[T]his is a unique enough MVP race to justify an early peek. I’m beginning this column with no strong feelings about the options. I think we could make a reasonable MVP case for any of the five candidates at the very top. In fact, I’m going to do just that.”
Jaxson Smith-Njigba Take
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as the NFL’s most productive wide receiver, but still finds himself outside of Barnwell’s Top 5 picks. He’s averaging 4.2 yards per route run and 109.8 receiving yards per game, placing him among the top wideouts historically.
While some of his efficiency comes from play-action passes, he’s still highly productive on standard dropbacks. Despite Seattle’s supporting receivers, Smith-Njigba remains the focal point, consistently delivering elite production.
Unfortunately, touchdowns are a limiting factor for Smith-Njigba’s game, only recording 9 so far this season. A stat voters might get hung up on, according to Barnwell.
To remain in contention for MVP Smith-Njigba will need to defy the odds and break the league’s receiving record set by Calvin Johnson in 2012. He’s on pace for 1,867 yards, just short of Johnson’s record at 1,964 yards.
Quarterbacks usually receive the MVP award. That, paired with some of Smith-Njigba’s lower stats, leave him just behind his own QB, Sam Darnold, who sits at No. 5 on Barnwell’s current MVP list.
Sam Darnold Take
Sam Darnold’s inclusion is notable, but his spot isn’t guaranteed. To remain a serious MVP candidate, the quarterback will likely need to lead the Seahawks to the NFC’s No. 1 Seed.
As mentioned by Barnwell, Darnold currently tops the league in yards per attempt (8.9) play-action yards per attempt (12.7), and average yards generated per dropback (8.3). He is also among the top 5 for CPOE and yards per attempt without play-action (7.6).
Despite these impressive offensive stats, Darnold’s mistakes are costly. Simply put, when he’s good, he’s great, but when he’s bad, it’s ugly for the Seahawks.
Darnold will have to prove himself in coming weeks to maintain MVP momentum. First, against the Colts as they work with newly signed quarterback, Philip Rivers. Then, in the upcoming rematch against the Rams. After all, throwing 4 interceptions during one of the most important games does not an MVP make.
Fans can watch as Darnold and Smith-Njigba continue their impressive 2025 season alongside the rest of the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday at Lumen Field. Kickoff begins at 1:25 p.m. P.T.
MVP Watch: Seattle Stars Make Their Case