Jaxon Smith-Njigba didn’t just take a step forward in his third NFL season - he took flight. From the first offensive snap of the year to the final whistle in Week 18, the Seattle Seahawks wideout didn’t just meet expectations - he blew right past them, rewriting the franchise record books in the process and turning heads across the league.
Seattle hasn’t seen this kind of electricity at wide receiver in a long time. Not since a young DK Metcalf arrived with his rare blend of size and speed has there been this much buzz around a Seahawks pass-catcher.
But what Smith-Njigba is doing now? It’s on another level.
He’s not just the future of the position in Seattle - he’s the present, and he’s dominating.
Let’s be clear: Smith-Njigba didn’t come into the season as a favorite to lead the league in receiving or to break long-standing team records. But that’s exactly what he did. And now, one of the greatest players in Seahawks history - Hall of Famer Steve Largent - is tipping his cap to the young star.
Steve Largent Sees a Lot to Like in JSN
When Largent speaks, Seahawks fans listen. He’s not just a legend in Seattle - he’s one of the most technically sound receivers the game has ever seen. So when he praises Smith-Njigba’s game, it carries serious weight.
“I just really like the way he plays football,” Largent said in a recent interview. “He’s not an overly big guy, but he gets open, and he catches the ball well.
He does something with it once he’s got the ball. He’s an exciting player, for sure… It’s exciting for me to see him breaking records.”
That last line hits home. Largent held Seahawks receiving records for decades.
Then Metcalf came along and broke a few. Now, it’s Smith-Njigba’s turn to raise the bar.
A Record-Breaking Season
Let’s talk numbers - because Smith-Njigba’s season demands it.
He set a new franchise mark for single-season receptions with 119, surpassing the previous record of 100 held by Tyler Lockett. He also shattered the Seahawks’ single-season receiving yards record, finishing with 1,793 yards - eclipsing Metcalf’s 1,303-yard campaign.
And he didn’t just rack up empty stats. JSN led the league in 20+ yard receptions (27), tied with Puka Nacua, who was hot on his heels in total yardage. That kind of downfield production shows just how dynamic Smith-Njigba has become - he’s not just a possession guy, he’s a game-breaker.
This comes on the heels of a second season where he already outpaced Metcalf in most major receiving categories, despite being the No. 2 option on the depth chart. That year, JSN tallied 1,130 yards on 100 catches with six touchdowns - compared to Metcalf’s 992 yards, 66 receptions, and five scores.
The Seahawks’ decision to move on from Metcalf this past offseason - he’s now with the Steelers - wasn’t just about cap space or roster shuffling. It was about belief in Smith-Njigba’s ceiling. And based on what we’ve seen, it’s hard to argue with that call.
A Star in the Making - With the Backing of Legends
Smith-Njigba’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed in the locker room either. Teammates like Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, and AJ Barner have all publicly praised his impact this season.
But when a franchise icon like Largent joins the chorus, it hits differently. It’s a passing of the torch moment - one great recognizing another in the making.
And let’s not forget the context here: Largent’s game was built on precise route-running, sticky hands, and an uncanny ability to find space. Sound familiar?
Smith-Njigba may not be the biggest guy on the field, but he’s constantly open, rarely drops a pass, and turns routine catches into big gains. That’s the kind of skill set that ages well - and racks up numbers.
The Road Ahead
JSN’s breakout season has already etched his name into Seahawks history. But the scary part for opposing defenses?
He’s just getting started. If he keeps stacking seasons like this, we’re not just talking about the best receiver in Seattle - we’re talking about one of the best in the league.
There’s still a long road ahead, and plenty of football left to play. But right now, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is proving he’s ready to carry the mantle - not just for the Seahawks, but for a new generation of elite NFL receivers.