Uchenna Nwosu’s biased take on who should win ESPY NFL Player of the Year

The Seattle Seahawks enter 2026 envisioning the franchise’s first back-to-back Super Bowl wins. They also earn the chance to claim wins in the upcoming ESPYS. Which sparked a biased take from edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu.

Quarterback Sam Darnold didn’t receive any nominations even after winning his first Super Bowl. He’ll still likely receive an invite. But a dominating teammate of his and Nwosu’s is the rising contender for NFL Player of the Year.

Nwosu didn’t hesitate to tell ESPN that the award belongs to the wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

“Just like you said, because he’s the best NFL player of the year,” Nwosu said via the broadcast.

"Just like you said, because he's the best NFL player of the year."

Super Bowl Champion @UchennaN_42 on why Jaxson Smith-Njigba should win the @ESPYS Best NFL Player pic.twitter.com/NvJ3GbqSJK

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 27, 2026

JSN shredded defenses with 119 receptions, 1,793 yards and scored 10 touchdowns during the Seahawks’ second Super Bowl title run. Smith-Njigba earned the league’s Offensive Player of the Year award.

Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles swooped up last year’s award in 2025 following his breakout 2,000-yard season. JSN will face competition for the 2026 nomination, though.

Reigning 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player Matthew Stafford is up for the award. Same with his brand-new Los Angeles Rams teammate and ’25 sack leader Myles Garrett. Lastly, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is the fourth going after the award, despite taking the loss to JSN’s Seahawks.

Stafford is up for two awards, as he’s among the four nominated for best male athlete regardless of sport. Except Stafford will face soccer star Lionel Messi, fellow LA star for the Dodgers Shohei Ohtani and New York Knicks NBA Finals winner Jalen Brunson.

The ESPYS will air on July 15.

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