A trio of Seahawks earned year-end honors from the Sporting News on Thursday, recognizing the work of three people that helped the Seahawks win the NFC West and advance to the Super Bowl.
General manager and president of football operations John Schneider was named executive of the year, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was named coordinator of the year, and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was named offensive player of the year.
The Offensive Player of the Year Award was voted on by players, while the Coordinator of the Year was voted on by head coaches, and Executive of the Year was voted on by front-office staff and personnel decision-makers.
Schneider, who also earned executive of the year honors from the Pro Football Writers of America, has spent the past few years constructing one of the league's best and most talented rosters, one that went 14-3 this year to earn the NFC's top seed. Beginning with the trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver in 2022, Schneider and his personnel staff have almost completely overhauled the Seahawks' roster through four straight productive drafts, shrewd trades and, this year in particular, some great free-agency signings. Schneider, of course, also hired head coach Mike Macdonald after the 2023 season, one of the most important decisions that got the Seahawks to where they are now.
This year alone, Schneider oversaw a draft that produced standouts Grey Zabel and Nick Emmanwori, as well as several other rookies who have made big contributions such as Tory Horton, Elijah Arroyo and Robbie Ouzts. After making tough decisions to trade Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, Schneider and the Seahawks moved quickly in free agency to add Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp and DeMarcus Lawrence, three players who have had huge roles in the team's success this season, with Lawrence and Darnold both earning Pro-Bowl honors. Then, in October, Schneider made a trade to acquire receiver and returner Rashid Shaheed, who has returned two kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns while also making explosive plays on offense. That was the third straight homerun of a midseason trade for Schneider, who in 2023 added defensive tackle Leonard Williams, and in 2024 traded for linebacker Ernest Jones IV.
Smith-Njigba, who just recorded 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown in the NFC championship game, led the NFL with 1,793 yards in the regular season, the eighth-highest single-season total in NFL history, and also had 10 touchdowns and a franchise-record 119 catches. And he put up those eye-popping numbers while playing in an offense that attempted the fourth-fewest passes in the league in 2025.
Kubiak, who was hired following the 2024 season, helped turn the Seahawks' offense into one of the best in the league, with Seattle scoring a franchise-best 483 points in the regular season, a total that ranked third in the league. Seattle's offense also ranked eighth in total yards, sixth in yards per play (5.9), and scored on 45.9 percent of its possessions, the sixth best rate in the league.
For Schneider, this is a sweep of the two major executive of the year awards, while Smith-Njigba has already won the PFWA Offensive Player of the Year award, and is a finalist for the Associate Press Offensive Player of the Year award, which will be handed out at NFL Honors next week. Kubiak is a finalist for AP Assistant Coach of the Year, which will also be awarded at NFL Honors.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' NFC Championship win vs. the Rams at Lumen Field.
The logo for the NFC Championship game between the Seahawks and the Rams was painted on the turf at Lumen Field.
In the locker room, the quarterbacks meet with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko.
Cornerback Josh Jobe greets teammates in the locker room.
Ernest Jones IV gathers members of the defense in the locker room before the game.
On the field, Byron Murphy II goes through early warmups in front of early-arriving fans.
These 12s went to the "Dark Side" for the NFC Championship game.
Seattle-based singer-songwriter and producer and loyal 12 Brandi Carlile greets 12s before the game. Carlile will perform "America the Beautiful" at Super Bowl LX prior to the Seahawks facing the Patriots.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe does sprint work before the game.
The arches of Lumen Field are reflected in the dark visor of Seattle's Jarran Reed.
Receivers Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse were just some of the large contingent of Seahawks Legends on hand to watch their team pursue a spot in next month's Super Bowl LX.
Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori studies his play sheet before the team took the field.
Offensive linemen Josh Jones, Mason Richman, Grey Zabel and Charles Cross wait for their cue to leave the locker room for kickoff.
The Seahawks join hands in prayer before taking the field against the Rams in the NFC Championship game.
Seahawks defensive leader Jarran Reed talks to the team before leaving the locker room for kickoff.
Seahawks live mascot Taima leads the team onto the field.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall is fired up as he is introduced with the defensive starters.
Linebacker Ernest Jones IV lets out a yell as he runs onto the field.
Seahawks Legend Richard Sherman fires up the crowd before kickoff, signaling "L" for Legion of Boom.
Twin F-15EX jets make a thunderous pass over the sold out crowd and the arches of Lumen Field for the NFC Championship game between the Seahawks and the Rams.
Seahawks receiver Rashid Shaheed makes an over the shoulder catch for a long gain in the first quarter as Rams coach Sean McVay reacts on the sidelines.
Seattle's Kenneth Walker III celebrates his touchdown with teammates Anthony Bradford, Grey Zabel, Eric Saubert and Charles Cross.
Seattle's Ernest Jones IV, Julian Love and Drake Thomas drop Rams receiver Puka Nacua, who lost his helmet on the play.
Seattle's DeMarcus Lawrence strips the ball away from Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the second quarter.
Seahawks Brandon Pili and Nick Emmanwori combine on a stop.
Seattle's Nick Emmanwori with a pass defensed against Rams receiver Puka Nacua.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba catches a 42-yard pass from Sam Darnold.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant speaks to teammates during halftime.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald talks to members of the defense at halftime.
At halftime, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald gives final instructions to the team before they take the field for the second half.
Seattle's Dareke Young recovers a fumbled punt return to set up a Seahawks touchdown.
Seahawks Dareke Young, Patrick O'Connell and Ty Okada celebrate Young's recovery of a muffed punt in the third quarter.
Seahawks receiver Jake Bobo leaps to make a touchdown catch in the third quarter.
Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp falls into the end zone with a touchdown reception in the third quarter.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen knocks away a pass intended for Rams receiver Puka Nacua.
With the Rams facing fourth-and-four, Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon knocks a pass away in the end zone, thwarting a Rams drive and giving the ball back to Seattle's offense.
Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp makes a falling, twisting catch for a key first down on Seattle's final drive.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald raises his arms as the clock ticked off the final seconds of their win over the Rams to advance to Super Bowl LX.
After the victory, Seahawks president of football operations/general manager John Schneider hugs head coach Mike Macdonald.
Seattle's Leonard Williams shows off his NFC Champions cap after the win.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, general manager John Schneider and team vice-chair Bert Kolde celebrate on the podium as the team is awarded the George Halas trophy for winning the NFC.
Leonard Williams holds the George Halas trophy aloft on the podium with teammates including Jarran Reed, Devon Witherspoon, Mike Morris, Nick Emmanwori and Coby Bryant.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates while wearing his NFC Champions t-shirt.
In the locker room, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and quarterback Sam Darnold celebrate.
Head coach Mike Macdonald celebrates the NFC title with his team in the locker room.
Members of the Seahawks defense pose together with the George Halas trophy in the locker room after the game.
