Before the first whistle even blows on the 2026 NFL season, our very own Seattle Seahawks have a rookie making national headlines! Running back Jadarian Price is already being predicted as the Offensive Rookie of the Year, according to a survey of NFL executives and scouts conducted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Talk about hitting the ground running before you’ve even worn pads!
Burrow’s Big Prediction and the Rising Stars
While everyone’s buzzing about our new guy, the big MVP talk is, of course, about quarterbacks. Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow is the slight favorite to take home the MVP trophy, edging out Justin Herbert and Josh Allen in that same poll. Burrow’s had a couple of fourth-place finishes in MVP voting in 2022 and 2024, but let’s be real, his injury history is a shadow looming large. He played only eight games in 2025 and ten in 2023, which makes an AFC exec’s comment hit hard: “I’m done banking on Burrow because of the injuries.” You can see why folks might be hesitant, even with the Bengals shelling out serious cash, including $125 million for defensive additions like Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, and Jonathan Allen, plus trading their No. 10 pick for Dexter Lawrence. That’s a massive shift in their usual strategy, showing they really want to protect their investment.
Beyond the MVP race, we’ve got some other incredible talent being recognized. Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is pegged for Offensive Player of the Year. The dude had 320 touches and started all 17 games last season, especially after they traded David Montgomery. That’s a lead back, no doubt. On the defensive side, Will Anderson Jr. from the Houston Texans is the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. He was neck and neck with Myles Garrett in votes last season, and Garrett even set an NFL record with 23 sacks. But Anderson is seen as an “ascending superstar” and the “unquestioned leader” of that incredibly deep Texans pass-rush. Our Seattle-connected brain can’t help but wonder if Garrett’s difficulty repeating or the Rams’ stacked D-line splitting votes will help clear the path for Anderson.
The 12s Get Their Hope for the Future
So, while the league talks about those established names, our hearts in the Emerald City are soaring for Jadarian Price. This isn’t just a generic mention, he’s the actual predicted Offensive Rookie of the Year! Think about that for a second. Before a single snap, a respected survey of NFL insiders sees our guy as the top offensive rookie. That’s a massive vote of confidence, and it sets a fiery expectation for Price to come in and contribute immediately. Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs is the projected Defensive Rookie of the Year, and Patrick Mahomes is looking at Comeback Player of the Year after an injury. Matthew Golden from the Packers is the Breakout Player, and Dallas Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer is Coach of the Year. All great, but man, Jadarian Price being in that mix is HUGE for our Seahawks!
With the 2026 NFL season officially kicking off, all eyes will be on these award contenders, and especially our new running back, Jadarian Price. Can he live up to the sky-high expectations these execs and scouts have placed on him? We’ll be watching every single play. The 12s are ready to see what our newest rising star brings to the field! Get ready, Emerald City, because 2026 is about to get LOUD!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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