Drake Maye, Jaxon Smith-Njigba Lead Early Fan Voting for 2026 Pro Bowl Games

The NFL’s first batch of 2026 Pro Bowl fan-voting numbers underscored the rise of two of the league’s most dynamic young talents. New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba sit atop the early leaderboard, reflecting their strong seasons and growing national profiles.

Maye holds a commanding edge among all vote-getters, a sign of how quickly he has won over fans in his second year as New England’s starter. His efficiency and improved command of the offense have propelled him toward league-wide recognition. Smith-Njigba, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the premier playmakers in the NFC, breaking franchise records and energizing Seattle’s attack.

Behind the two headliners is a mix of established stars and rising names, including standout defenders and versatile offensive threats. Fan voting—which runs through mid-December—represents only part of the selection process, but it offers a clear snapshot of who has captured attention this season.

As Maye and Smith-Njigba continue driving their teams’ offenses, their early success in fan voting underscores a shared theme: each has developed rapidly, become central to their franchise’s identity, and delivered production worthy of Pro Bowl consideration.

1. Maye’s Rise in New England

Drake Maye’s early voting lead comes on the strength of a season defined more by precision than explosiveness. While his running numbers have dipped from his rookie year, the Patriots have emphasized caution with their young quarterback. Head coach Mike Vrabel noted this approach, saying the staff wants Maye available for the long haul rather than exposed to unnecessary hits. That shift has not slowed his progress as a passer. Maye currently owns the league’s best completion percentage at 71 percent, completing 252 of 355 attempts with 21 touchdowns and only six interceptions. His efficiency, poise under pressure, and improved decision-making have been central to New England’s offensive stability. Vrabel’s belief in Maye has been apparent since his arrival. The coach emphasized his familiarity with the young quarterback and made clear that working with Maye was a primary factor in joining the Patriots. That confidence has carried into how the organization is building around him, emphasizing development and consistency. The fan vote reflects the momentum surrounding the second-year signal-caller. With New England leaning on his growth and leadership, Maye has positioned himself as one of the NFL’s most promising young quarterbacks—and a worthy candidate for Pro Bowl consideration.

2. Smith-Njigba’s Breakout in Seattle

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has produced one of the strongest seasons of any receiver in football, even as his most recent performance fell short of expectations. The second-year Seahawk emphasized that the off game was simply an outlier, crediting Minnesota’s defensive scheme and Seattle’s decision-making within the flow of the contest. His body of work tells the larger story. Smith-Njigba has already posted 82 receptions for 1,336 yards and seven touchdowns, setting a new franchise single-season record for receiving yards. His route precision, yards-after-catch ability, and reliability on third downs have made him Seattle’s most consistent offensive threat. The receiver’s connection with quarterback Sam Darnold has grown weekly, giving Seattle a stable foundation in the passing game. Smith-Njigba has also shown an ability to adjust to different coverages, consistently producing against both zone and man schemes. His surge in fan voting reflects both his statistical impact and his emergence as a focal point of Seattle’s offense. As the Seahawks push for postseason positioning, Smith-Njigba’s performance remains central to their hopes.

3. The Rest of the Early Pro Bowl Picture

Beyond Maye and Smith-Njigba, the fan-voting list includes a blend of star defenders and versatile offensive standouts. Micah Parsons, Jonathan Taylor, and Jahmyr Gibbs round out the top five, illustrating the balance between pass-rush excellence and dynamic playmaking. Their presence near the top is unsurprising given their consistent production and visibility on national stages. Several other marquee names—Christian McCaffrey, Matthew Stafford, Myles Garrett, Josh Allen, and Kyle Juszczyk—remain firmly in contention. Each has delivered strong performances this season, though none have matched the early surge of Maye or Smith-Njigba. With three weeks of voting left, the standings could shift considerably. The fan-vote release serves as an early indicator rather than a final judgment, but it often highlights which players have captured the narrative at the midpoint of the season. Younger players like Maye and Smith-Njigba reaching the top of the list also signals the league’s ongoing transition toward a new generation of stars. As voting continues, performances over the next stretch of games will likely shape the final tally. For now, though, the spotlight belongs to two rising talents who have delivered production worthy of league-wide attention.