Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s rise in Seattle has been impossible to miss, but the Seahawks receiver says the biggest reason for it might be the guy throwing him the ball.
In an interview with Seattle Sports, Smith-Njigba credited Sam Darnold for helping unlock the best version of his game. The Ohio State product said his own style plays a role too, especially because he likes to improvise his routes and force defensive backs to see something different.
“A lot of credit goes to Sam Darnold and understanding my game and knowing I'll be at the spot when I'm supposed to,” Smith-Njigba told Seattle Sports."Now, how I get there, sometimes, I like to be creative and a little different."
That kind of freedom has clearly worked for Seattle. Smith-Njigba has the green light to think outside the box, and Darnold has been willing to trust that creativity instead of fighting it. Whether Smith-Njigba is working from the slot or the boundary, stretching the field on a go route or settling into a quick crosser, his versatility gives the offense a weapon that’s tough to pin down and even tougher for a defender to track.
The connection helped fuel a massive season for Smith-Njigba, who finished with 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was targeted 163 times and turned that volume into Offensive Player of the Year honors, even ahead of another NFC West standout in Puka Nacua.
Darnold’s role in that production has not gone unnoticed. He helped lift Seattle’s passing game in a way the team hadn’t seen since prime Russell Wilson, and Smith-Njigba is far from the first person to recognize it.
With Darnold set to play for a new contract in 2026, there’s a strong case for Seattle to keep leaning into its top connection. Rashid Shaheed could also make a jump in his first full season with the organization, but Smith-Njigba and Darnold figure to remain the centerpiece.
Klint Kubiak is gone, but new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury should still have ways to keep Smith-Njigba moving and keep defenses guessing. That may require a few trust-heavy throws and some real faith from Darnold, but more often than not, he’s going to find his top target.
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