The Seattle Seahawks have a true superstar playmaker. Jaxon Smith-Njigba showed steady signs of progress in his first couple of years in the league, but he finally flourished when given an opportunity to be the man.
While it's clearly not coincidental to see him take a big leap after DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett left the building, that might not be the only reason behind his career year. In an interview with Seattle Sports, the Ohio State product gave his quarterback his flowers.
Smith-Njigba opened up about how he likes to improvise his routes to give defensive backs different looks and keep them guessing. That's why he believes Sam Darnold's confidence in his game was also a catalyst for his success.
Seattle Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba's connection with Sam Darnold is special
"A lot of credit goes to Sam Darnold and understanding my game and knowing I'll be at the spot when I'm supposed to," Smith-Njigba told Seattle Sports. "Now, how I get there, sometimes, I like to be creative and a little different."
If that's his plan, it's definitely working. While he can go off-script at times, and that might drive some quarterbacks and offensive coordinators crazy, that's definitely not the case in Seattle. Smith-Njigba has the freedom and a green light to think outside the box, and more often than not, the signal-caller will find him roaming free.
Whether it's coming out of the slot or in the boundary, in a go route or with a quick crosser, Smith-Njigba's Swiss Army knife skill set is an offensive play-caller's dream, but not so much for a defensive back trying to figure out his tells and anticipate his movements.
A lot has been said about Darnold and how he was probably the weakest link in the Seahawks' offense, but he elevated the passing game in ways the team hadn't seen since prime Russell Wilson. He earned his stripes in the locker room, and Smith-Njigba isn't the first guy to give him his well-deserved flowers.
How could he not? Darnold was at least half responsible for his 119 receptions for a whopping 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. He drew a staggering 163 targets and made the most of them to run away with Offensive Player of the Year honors, even ahead of a fellow NFC West playmaker like Puka Nacua.
Sam Darnold will be playing for a new contract in 2026, and the best way to do so is to trust your best weapon. As such, we can expect a heavy dose of this combination again next season, even if Rashid Shaheed also takes a leap in his first full season with the organization.
Klint Kubiak might be gone, but new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury should also have creative ways to get Smith-Njigba going and opposing defenses guessing. And while it will certainly take some leaps of faith and a bit of a 'screw it, JSN is out there' mentality here and there, Darnold is more than likely to find him than not.
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