Image Source: Patrick Hood
Key Takeaways
- The Seattle Seahawks have secured the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed, thanks in part to the outstanding performance of star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
- Smith-Njigba led the league in receiving yards with 1,793, a new single-season record for Seattle wide receivers.
- He also set new franchise highs in receptions per game (7.0) and yards per game (105.5).
- Smith-Njigba’s connection with quarterback Sam Darnold was a vital part of the team’s offense, particularly during a three-way battle for the NFC West division lead.
- The Seahawks will rely on Smith-Njigba’s abilities in the playoffs, where a top receiver can change the course of a postseason run.
Introduction to the Seahawks’ Successful Season
The Seattle Seahawks have had an incredible season, surpassing 13 wins for the first time in franchise history. As the team prepares for the NFC Divisional Round, it’s clear that their success is due in large part to the efforts of star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. As Smith-Njigba himself has shown, "those who were paying attention to his play in 2024 could see that he was due for a breakout year, and with a new quarterback under center, JSN had a great chance to potentially reach the league’s upper echelon of receivers." With 1,793 receiving yards, Smith-Njigba has led the league and set a new single-season record for Seattle wide receivers.
Smith-Njigba’s Historic Season
Smith-Njigba’s 2025 season was nothing short of historic. At one point, he was on pace to break Calvin Johnson’s record of 1,964 receiving yards in a season, which was first set back in 2012. As the article notes, "this was truly a historic run, one that will be fondly remembered in the Emerald City for years to come." Over the first nine weeks of the season, JSN tallied 100 receiving yards six separate times and nearly had a seventh 100-yard game in Week 3, ending with 96 yards vs. the New Orleans Saints. Through eight games, the 23-year-old wideout was averaging 7.3 receptions per game for 118.5 yards, on pace for over 2,000 yards on the year.
Connection with Quarterback Sam Darnold
Smith-Njigba’s connection with quarterback Sam Darnold rapidly became a vital part of the team’s offense, particularly during a three-way battle for the NFC West division lead. As the article states, "when he was frequently seeing playing time, Smith-Njigba made magic happen on the gridiron." From Weeks 5 through 9, JSN finished with at least 100 receiving yards every game, standing alone as the first Seahawks receiver to record 100 yards in four consecutive games. Seattle went 3-1 during this stretch, losing only to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.
End-of-Season Performance
Despite not being utilized as much for the remainder of the season, Smith-Njigba still had a few more tricks up his sleeve. In Week 12, he achieved a season-high 167 receiving yards vs. the Tennessee Titans, tallying what would be his first of two games with multiple receiving TDs in 2025. Following the aforementioned Vikings game, JSN returned to his early-season form, racking up 31 receptions for 373 yards and three touchdowns between Weeks 14 and 17. In the Seahawks’ regular season finale against the San Francisco 49ers, Smith-Njigba added 84 more yards to his monstrous receiving yard total, ending 2025 with a league-leading 1,793 yards through the air.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Smith-Njigba’s achievements are nothing short of impressive. He joins Steve Largent as the only Seahawks to lead the NFL in receiving yards. As the article notes, "this created a bit more breathing room from Puka Nacua, JSN’s chief rival for the league’s receiving yards title, who finished as the runner-up with 1,715." At season’s end, JSN has 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 TDs, all three of which are good for top 10 in the league. The first two stats are also new single-season records for Seattle wide receivers, with the 10 touchdowns good for a seventh-place tie.
Playoff Implications
As the Seahawks gear up for the playoffs, Smith-Njigba’s abilities will be needed more than ever before. A top receiver can change the course of a postseason run, especially on the game’s biggest stage—just ask Cooper Kupp. As the article concludes, "congratulations on an unbelievable regular season, Jaxon. Best of luck in your first playoff run!" With Smith-Njigba on their side, the Seahawks are sure to make a deep run in the playoffs.
https://www.fieldgulls.com/seattle-seahawks-game-analysis/159563/looking-back-jaxon-smith-njigba-phenomenal-historic-regular-season-nfl-seahawks