The Seattle Seahawks took some big swings before the 2025-26 season - and now, they’re one win away from the ultimate payoff.
Trading away DK Metcalf and handing the WR1 reins to Jaxon Smith-Njigba raised plenty of eyebrows at the time. Pairing that with the acquisition of Sam Darnold, a quarterback whose career had been more rollercoaster than rocket ship, only added to the intrigue. But here we are, with Seattle headed to Super Bowl LX - and suddenly, those bold moves are looking like masterstrokes.
Darnold, now 28 and playing the best football of his career, recently opened up about his connection with Smith-Njigba during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show. And if there was any doubt about how in sync this duo has become, Darnold’s comments made it clear: throwing to JSN isn’t just easy - it’s instinctive.
“He’s just a special talent,” Darnold said. “He’s someone that is very quarterback-friendly. He allows, you know, with his body language and the way that he runs routes, he’s very friendly to throw to.”
That phrase - “quarterback-friendly” - might sound like a throwaway compliment, but in NFL terms, it speaks volumes. What Darnold is describing is the rare ability Smith-Njigba has to make life easier for his quarterback without tipping anything to the defense. It’s about nuance: how he disguises his routes, how he uses subtle shifts in tempo and body language to stay unpredictable, and how he consistently gives his QB a clean window to throw into.
“Whether he’s gonna come out of a route at full speed or if he’s gonna come out of a route and maybe wrap the corner and show me his numbers and maybe slow down a little bit,” Darnold explained, “it doesn’t make it any easier for the defense. He makes everything look the same.”
"He's a special talent."
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) January 30, 2026
– Sam Darnold on throwing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. pic.twitter.com/D3NBi5Mi9r
That last line is key. The best route runners in football - think Davante Adams, Keenan Allen, Cooper Kupp - all share that trait.
They can run a slant, a go, or a comeback off the same release, with the same body lean, the same footwork. And that’s what Smith-Njigba is doing now, in just his second NFL season.
The numbers back it up. Smith-Njigba didn’t just step into the WR1 role - he dominated it.
He led the league in receiving yards with 1,793, hauled in 119 catches, and found the end zone 10 times. That’s not just a breakout year - that’s a statement season.
And now, with Super Bowl LX on deck, he’s got a chance to cap it off with a ring. But standing in his way is a serious test: Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez. The second-year standout has developed into one of the league’s premier cover men, and his matchup with Smith-Njigba could be one of the defining battles of the title game.
It’s strength vs. strength - Gonzalez’s length, speed, and instincts against Smith-Njigba’s precision, timing, and feel. And if Darnold’s connection with his top target continues clicking the way it has all season, Seattle’s offense could be in for another big night on the sport’s biggest stage.
The Seahawks bet big on a new offensive identity. Now, with Darnold dealing and Smith-Njigba ascending into stardom, they’re one win away from cashing in.