Sam Darnold says the hardest part of throwing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba isn’t arm talent or chemistry in the broad sense. It’s the timing.
On SiriusXM NFL Radio, the Seahawks quarterback explained that Smith-Njigba’s routes demand precision from the passer, especially when the connection is still being built.
“I think it's almost nice as a quarterback you got to get used to it though for sure like because there are times when I first got here last year it was like, I would kind of wait for him to get out of his break, to throw, whereas now, I know he's going to be there on time,” the two-time Pro Bowler signal-caller said on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
That trust matters, because Darnold said he has to deliver the ball on schedule and let Smith-Njigba do the rest.
“I just got to lay it to this, if it's an outbreaker, and I got to trust it, and my feet got to be right, you know, the timing has to match up.
Darnold’s full season alongside Smith-Njigba gave him a front-row seat to just how efficient the receiver can be. In 2025, Darnold passed for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns with 14 interceptions, while Smith-Njigba put together a career year with 1,793 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns, 119 catches and 163 targets.
What stands out to Darnold most is how polished Smith-Njigba looks at every point in the route.
“I've been with in terms of you know just how he runs his routes, it's very unique but it works and all of his routes look the same whether it's an in cut an out cut or he's hooking up or he's running by you, like it's very impressive the way he does that,” Darnold added about Smith-Njigba's route-running.
The Seahawks will open their Super Bowl defense on Sept. 9 against the New England Patriots at Lumen Field in Seattle.
In Other News...
Seahawks Let Go Of A Cornerback Who Immediately Found A Real Role
Noah Igbinoghenes exit from Seattle came during final roster cuts, and the Seahawks did not bring him back on the practice squad after releasing him. It was a quick turn for a cornerback who had been in the mix for a place on the roster, only to see his time with the team end before the season officially got going.
Cleveland moved quickly to give him a real chance, signing Igbinoghene to its active roster and putting him in position to appear in regular season games. For Seattle, it is another reminder that the last days of roster trimming can send a player elsewhere almost immediately, especially one with enough talent to draw interest right away. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Receiver Decision Just Added Tension To A Crowded Depth Chart
The Seahawks receiver room keeps shifting in the early weeks of the season, and Cody White is the latest name to come off the board. Seattle released White and did not bring him back on the practice squad, a notable decision for a player who had been part of the organizations depth conversation and a familiar face in the building.
White has already landed elsewhere, signing with the Raiders practice squad and reconnecting with head coach Klint Kubiak, who previously served as Seattles offensive coordinator. It also makes White one of the first former Seahawks roster cuts to find a new home this season, another reminder of how quickly the margins can change for players trying to stick in a crowded receiver competition. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Just Lost A Promising Pass Rusher To A Brutal Rival
Jamie Sheriffs path with Seattle was always going to require patience, and the edge rushers latest move underscores how thin the margin can be for young defensive linemen trying to stick. After going undrafted out of South Alabama in 2024, Sheriff spent time on the Seahawks practice squad and worked his way into the mix before being among the final roster cuts ahead of the 2026 season.
Now he has landed with the Los Angeles Rams, signing to their practice squad, according to ESPNs Brady Henderson. For the Seahawks, it is another reminder that developmental pass rushers can quickly become available to a division rival, especially when teams are sorting out the back end of the roster and trying to preserve upside without losing it. [Read more 🡒]