The Seattle Seahawks are seven games into their 2026 campaign, and their star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is already closing in on another 1,000-yard season. The reigning offensive player of the year is coming off a Sunday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he posted 9 receptions for 150 yards and 1 touchdown. An excellent night by any standard, but one that he makes feel routine.
Smith-Njigba was the 20th overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. In his rookie year, he was behind veterans Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf on the depth chart, which led to a slow start. He started only three games as a rookie, catching 63 passes for 628 yards and 4 touchdowns.
His sophomore season, he worked his way into a starting role, catching 100 passes for 1,130 yards and 6 touchdowns. In 2025, the Seahawks traded Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers and released Tyler Lockett, making Smith-Njigba Seattle’s undisputed No. 1 receiving option.
He went off as the primary option, posting 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year, a First-team All-Pro, and a Pro Bowl selection. He played a major role in the Seahawks’ championship run, catching 17 passes for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns in their three games.
He picked up right where he left off in 2025, failing to reach 100 yards in only one of seven games. Against the New England Patriots, he had 8 receptions for 122 yards; against the Arizona Cardinals, he had 9 receptions for 155 yards and 3 touchdowns; and he followed that with 10 receptions for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Washington Commanders. He had a down game by his standards in Seattle’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers, catching 5 passes for 76 yards, but returned to form against the San Francisco 49ers with 5 receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. Against the Denver Broncos, he caught 12 passes for 134 yards.
This season, he already has 58 receptions for 867 yards and 8 touchdowns. He’s been Seattle’s best player by a large margin. He’s on pace for 140 receptions, 2,105 yards, and 19 touchdowns. That would be the most receiving yards in a season, surpassing Detriot Lions’ great Calvin Johnson’s 1,964-yard 2012 campaign.
A wide receiver has never won the MVP award, but given how prolific Smith-Njigba has been this season, I truly believe he could be the first. Seattle is currently 17th in the NFL in rushing offense, while 8th in passing. This is even with Sam Darnold missing a game and having a rather mediocre season. Smith-Njigba is carrying the team on his back, and if he keeps this pace, I don’t see how he won’t be in the conversation for Most Valuable Player.
