We may be witnessing a showdown of the two most effective offensive weapons in the NFL today. One is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, and the other is the reigning Offensive Player of the Year.
Kenneth Walker III has exploded with elite production to start the 2026 NFL season. He leads the league in rushing yardage (665 through just 5 games), most runs of 20+ (7), runs of 40+ (2), owns the longest rushing gain in the league (76), has the 2nd-highest rushing TD total by a back (6), and has 0 fumbles, while 5 guys can’t beat him in the NFL in the NFL.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has, himself taken his game to another level. He leads the league in receiving yards (717) and receiving touchdowns (7), is second in both most catches of 20+ (10) and catches of 40+ (2) yards, owns the longest receiving gain in the league (82), is tied for 4th in receiving YAC and Zays wide (both wide YAC and Zay1) top 15 WR’s in catches, he has highest 1st down percentage (73.5%). He remains the biggest (and sometimes only) threat in the Seahawk offense, but opposing teams still can’t stop him.
We all know the MVP award is usually the best QB award… but these two monsters deserve to win if they continue in their individual strides. If nothing else, these are the two front runners for the 2026 OPOY award.
You read that right: “Both players are on pace to set the NFL single-season rushing and receiving records” (respectively). Two absolute superstars and unique chess pieces who just won a Super Bowl together. Yes, we all wish Ken was still in Seattle, but he needs this opportunity to shine as the center of an offense.
It’s surprising that Seattle fielded the same players last year, and even mixed in Zach Charbonnet.
Both players face defenses that seem equipped to handle them. Seattle faces Walker as the 4th-ranked defense in defense of the run (3.5 yards per carry) and has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in a franchise record, and the NFL’s longest active streak: 35 games in a row. Kansas City will take Smith-Njigba while ranking #1 in DVOA against the teams WR1.
The caveat to that last part is that they battle the Broncos, Colts, Dolphins, Raiders and Chargers. Not exactly a killer wideout’s dominant lineup. Although, KC’s rookie corner deserves some recognition.
Whichever of these two playmakers: K9 for KC and JSN for SEA can tilt the field the most, can lead his team to victory. The “Dark Side”, of course, has something to say about things. Byron Murphy, Ernest Jones IV (an important matchup) and Julian Love truly play at all three levels and will be tasked with neutralizing their former teammate on the field.