Jaxon Smith-Njigba Breaks Franchise Record, Bolsters Offensive Player of the Year Case
After a quiet Week 13 against Minnesota, Jaxon Smith-Njigba didn’t just bounce back-he came roaring out of the gates. His 23-yard outing against the Vikings marked a season-low, a rare blip in what’s otherwise been a breakout campaign. But if there were any doubts about his trajectory, Week 14 put them to bed.
Smith-Njigba torched the Falcons for 92 yards in a performance that didn’t just help Seattle to a win-it put him in the Seahawks’ record books. And while it wasn’t the record fans had their eyes on (Calvin Johnson’s single-season yardage mark still looms as the ultimate prize), it was a milestone that speaks volumes about JSN’s rise and the season he’s having.
Let’s break it down.
A Historic Pace
With four games still left in the regular season, Smith-Njigba leads the NFL in receiving yards. His 1,428 yards aren’t just impressive-they’re dominant.
He’s outpacing the next closest receiver, Puka Nacua, by a full 242 yards. That’s not a gap; that’s a canyon.
In a season where only four wideouts have cracked the 1,000-yard mark-Smith-Njigba, Nacua, George Pickens (1,179), and Ja’Marr Chase (1,015)-JSN isn’t just keeping pace with the league’s best. He’s setting the pace. And he’s doing it with a level of consistency and explosiveness that’s turned heads around the league.
For a player who entered the league with high expectations, he’s not just meeting them-he’s rewriting what the ceiling could be.
A New Chapter in Seahawks History
Smith-Njigba’s 92-yard outing in Week 14 pushed him to 3,182 career receiving yards-more than any Seahawks receiver in their first three seasons. That includes DK Metcalf, who previously held the mark with 3,170 yards.
And let’s be clear: this isn’t about tearing down Metcalf. He was a force in Seattle and remains a talented wideout, even if his move to Pittsburgh hasn’t exactly gone to plan.
But what JSN is doing now? It’s different.
It’s next-level. It’s the kind of production that makes a franchise re-evaluate its entire offensive identity.
Seattle did just that when it moved on from Metcalf and handed the WR1 role to Smith-Njigba. That decision is aging well. JSN hasn’t just filled the role-he’s elevated it.
Darnold’s Role in the Revival
Sam Darnold, stepping in at quarterback, played a key role in JSN’s bounce-back. His stat line-three touchdowns, one interception-wasn’t spotless, but he did enough to keep the offense moving and give Smith-Njigba the opportunities he needed to shine. The chemistry between the two is still a work in progress, but if Week 14 is any indication, they’re starting to find a rhythm.
And that’s huge. Because if Darnold can stabilize the position, Smith-Njigba has a real shot at chasing history over the next month.
Eyes on the Prize
Let’s talk about that prize.
Calvin Johnson’s single-season receiving record is still within reach. JSN would need 536 yards over the final four games to break it.
That’s a tall order, no doubt. But with the way he’s playing-and the volume he’s commanding-it’s not impossible.
Not when you’re averaging over 100 yards per game and drawing the kind of defensive attention typically reserved for the league’s elite.
Even if he falls short of Megatron’s mark, Smith-Njigba’s case for Offensive Player of the Year is growing stronger by the week. His production, his impact, and his consistency all point to a player who’s not just having a great season-he’s having the season.
Final Word
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is no longer just a promising young receiver. He’s the engine of Seattle’s offense, the centerpiece of their passing game, and a legitimate star in the making.
The numbers back it up. The tape backs it up.
And now, the record books do too.
With four games left, he’s got a shot at something truly historic. But even if he doesn’t reach Calvin Johnson’s record, one thing’s already clear:
JSN has arrived. And the rest of the league better be paying attention.