With as successful of a season as the Seahawks have had, awards and recognition are sure to follow. Four Seahawks, two players and two coaches were named finalists for Associated Press awards for the 2025 NFL season. Head coach Mike Macdonald is up for Coach of the Year, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year, rookie safety Nick Emmanwori is a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is up for Offensive Player of the Year.
Macdonald helped lead the Seahawks to another winning season, going 14-3 in his second season and claimed the NFC West title as well as the NFC's No. 1 seed. In his second season, Seattle allowed the fewest points in the NFL (17.2 per game) and were the No. 1 team in the league overall, as well as the No. 1 defense according DVOA, Seattle also posted a +191 point differential for the regular season, good for first in the NFL and a franchise record. The Seahawks also set a single-season franchise record with 14 wins and set the single-season franchise record for road wins (8). Macdonald ranks second place in NFL history for the most road wins by a head coach in his first two seasons with 15. Seattle was 7-1 last year and 8-1 this season on the road.
Other finalists for Coach of the Year include Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars), Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears), Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers) and Mike Vrabel (New England Patriots).
Under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, the Seahawks set the single-season franchise record with 483 points scored. Seattle scored 28.4 points per game, which ranked third in the NFL. Kubiak also helped Jaxon Smith-Njigba take the crown as the NFL's leader in receiving yards (1,793). Other coaches up for Assistant Coach of the Year are Vic Fangio (Philadelphia Eagles), Brian Flores (Minnesota Vikings), Vance Joseph (Denver Broncos), and Josh McDaniels (New England Patriots).
Along with leading the NFL in receiving yards, Smith-Njigba became the first player in NFL history with at least 75 receiving yards in each of his first 11 games of a season. He also had nine 100-yard games this season, the most in the NFL, and the most in a single season in franchise history. Along with that, Smith-Njigba set multiple franchise records and did enough to put his name next to NFL greats in the league record books.
Other candidates for Offensive Player of the Year are Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Rams receiver Puka Nacua and Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.
Emmanwori, who was injured on the first drive of the season-opener, missed three games, dealing with an ankle injury. But when he returned, it looked like he hadn't missed any time at all. During the regular season, he started 11 of the 14 games he played in and had 81 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 11 passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hits and an interception. Emmanwori was the only player in the league this season with at least 80 tackles, 10 passes defensed and eight tackles for loss.
The other finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year are Giants outside linebacker Abdul Carter, Flacons defensive end James Pearce Jr., Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Falcons safety Xavier Watts.
The winners will be announced during Super Bowl week at NFL Honors on Feb. 5, 2026. You can watch on NBC and NFL Network, as well as stream on Peacock and NFL+.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' divisional round win vs. the 49ers at Lumen Field.
Quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe meet with coaches Klint Kubiak and Andrew Janocko in the locker room before the game.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson writes notes on his taped wrists while at his locker pregame.
Receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and Ricky White listen to receivers coach Frisman Jackson in the locker room before the game.
Members of the Seahawks defense meet in the locker room.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold takes warmup throws as quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko looks on.
Seahawks president Chuck Arnold, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Seahawks vice-chair Bert Kolde chat on the sidelines before the game.
Seahawks DeMarcus Lawrence and Leonard Williams on the field during pregame warmups.
Seahawks defensive leader Jarran Reed addresses the team.
Seahawks Legends Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor talk with safety Quandre Diggs on the sidelines before the game.
In the locker room, Nick Emmanwori confers with assistant coach Neiko Thorpe.
Seattle's Brady Russell carries the 12 flag as he leads the Seahawks out of the tunnel.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner lets out a yell as he is introduced.
Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba soaks in the energy of the 12s as he is introduced with the Seahawks starters.
Seahawks Legend Kam Chancellor takes the mic and fires up the 12s before the opening kickoff.
The Seahawks sideline reacts as returner Rashid Shaheed speeds by them on a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game.
Seahawks return specialist Rashid Shaheed celebrates with teammates after his kickoff return for touchdown on the game's opening play.
Seattle's "Dark Side" defense gang tackles 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey early in the game.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV knocks the ball loose for a fumble recovered by teammate Julian Love.
Seahawks safety Julian Love celebrates his fumble recovery with teammates Leonard Williams and Uchenna Nwosu.
Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp with a reception along the sidelines.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold throws a pass in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba celebrates after scoring on a touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Darnold.
Quarterback Sam Darnold and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba celebrate after the duo connected for a touchdown in the first half.
At halftime, members of the Seahawks offense take a break while waiting to hear from offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Safety Julian Love talks to the defensive backfield at halftime.
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon talks to teammates in the locker room during halftime.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV forces his second turnover of the game with an interception in the third quarter.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV celebrates after causing his second turnover of the game.
Lumen Field went blue during a second half time out.
Seattle's DeMarcus Lawrence forces a fumble by 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in the third quarter.
Seahawks DeMarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu walk off the field after causing a fumble by 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
Seahawks Leonard Williams, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and teammates celebrate on the sidelines late in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV watches from the sidelines after Seattle pulled its starters late in the fourth quarter.
Assistant coach Kirk Olivadotti talks with linebackers on the sidelines.
Devon Witherspoon dances for fans as time expires.
Head coach Mike Macdonald salutes the 12s as he walks off the field with a victory.
Seattle's Jarran Reed celebrates as he heads to the locker room.
Seattle offensive guard Grey Zabel and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak walk off the field together after the win.
In the postgame locker room, head coach Mike Macdonald hugs tackle Abraham Lucas after the victory.
Nick Emmanwori celebrates in the locker room.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald celebrates with his team in the locker room as they advanced to the NFC Championship game.
