There might be no hotter wide receiver in the NFL today than Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seattle Seahawks standout wideout has done nothing but tear it up since the team's decision-makers decided to cut DK Metcalf loose and put their trust in No. 11.
To say that the decision is paying off is probably an understatement, simply because of what Smith-Njigba has done over the past 20 regular-season games (as well as last year's playoffs). There's no question about his elite status now; he has to be considered elite given his start this season.
Speaking of that remarkable start, Smith-Njigba is etching his name into the NFL history books through three games, joining a crop of legendary past wide receivers, including one that Smith-Njigba tried to catch and leap over last year. Again, there's no one hotter than Smith-Njigba right now, and his numbers prove it. As for that history, well, it's really not a surprise now, is it?
Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba lands himself among some of the NFL's best ever at their position
Two things happened while Smith-Njigba was racking up 122 receiving yards and two touchdowns on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. The first landed him in Calvin Johnson territory. Sound familiar? It should, because until the last few weeks of last season, Smith-Njigba was hot on Johnson's trail, trying to break the single-season wide receiver yards record.
Smith-Njigba would fall short, but he was so close. In Week 3, though, the two names would link together again, but on paper. Smith-Njigba became the fourth player in the Super Bowl era with six touchdowns through the first three games of a season. Johnson did it with the Detroit Lions in 2011, Marvin Harrison with the Indianapolis Colts in 1999, and Daryl Turner for the Seahawks in 1985.
Now, Smith-Njigba has done it, but that's not all. Harrison, in '99, also recorded over 25 catches for over 400 yards in those first three games, and Smith-Njigba also reached that mark on Sunday. Still, that's not all.
Jerry Rice is the next wide receiver legend that Smith-Njigba joined in Week 3 as the only two players in history to post 120 yards and a touchdown in each of their teams’ first three games. If Smith-Njigba logs another 100 yards in Week 4, he'll join Randy Moss as one of the only two players to start the season with four straight games with 100 yards and a touchdown.
It's truly remarkable. There's no doubt Sam Darnold will do whatever he can to make sure his superstar pass-catcher hits 100 yards or more. Smith-Njigba's numbers this season are better than those of Ja’Marr Chase's and Justin Jefferson's, two players most consider the league's top two wideouts.
It's about time that Smith-Njigba is included with them. Numbers and impact don't lie. Today, Smith-Njigba stands out above every one of his league peers. Whatever more historic records he can reach this season only adds to the fun of being a Seahawks fan. Let the history-breaking roll on.
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