Jaxon Smith-Njigba is Headliner of Seahawks’ Passing Attack, Not the Whole Act
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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) runs against Los Angeles Rams safety Quentin Lake (37) during the second half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images [/caption]
Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is likely on his way to winning AP Offensive Player of the Year. Rightfully so, after leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards and scrimmage yards per touch at 14.5. He was fifth in the entire NFL in targets, despite Sam Darnold ranking just 15th in pass attempts.
After Smith-Njigba’s 163 targets in Seattle, the next-closest player for the Seahawks is Cooper Kupp, at 70. The All-Pro collected more than double the targets as the next player in the passing game in Seattle.
However, do not interpret that as: if the Patriots can shut down Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Seahawk's passing game will crumble. That is indubitably incorrect.
It’s likely that the Patriots will have Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez monitor No. 11. Even if he does, the former Ohio State star will find a way to get a few key catches at least. During the regular season, he only had one game with under 70 yards receiving. He has faced the best cornerback on most teams each and every week. He will find a way.
Sam Darnold’s passing attack is much more than Smith-Njigba though. Even if Gonzalez plays well against Seattle’s top wideout, the Seahawks are more equipped than people think to spread the ball around.
First, Cooper Kupp proved that false against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. Yes, Smith-Njigba went off for 10 catches and 153 yards. However, Darnold threw the ball 36 times. With JSN getting 12 of those targets, where did the other 24 go?
Kupp garnered six of those targets, catching four passes for 36 yards, including that back-breaking 13-yard touchdown late in the third quarter that ended up being the game winner. Even Jake Bobo got into the act, catching a 17-yard touchdown after having only three catches prior to the NFC Championship Game for the entire season.
Running backs have become a feature, not a bug, in the Klint Kubiak passing scheme. Both Kenneth Walker III and George Holani, filling in for Zach Charbonnet, each got four targets. They combined for seven catches and 76 yards. The running backs will likely play a big role for Seattle in Super Bowl LX, even in the passing game.
Rashid Shaheed is far and away the best midseason trade acquisition of the entire NFL this year. Indeed, most of his impact in Seattle has been on special teams, with having both a kick and punt returned for touchdowns in the regular season and another kick return touchdown to open the Divisional Round matchup with the 49ers. However, there are breadcrumbs to suggest he could be more of a feature in the passing game during Super Bowl LX. Darnold connected with the former Saints speedster for a 51-yard catch down the sidelines, burning the defense on the opening drive last Sunday.
Shaheed is a type of player that could make a few plays big enough to even win Super Bowl MVP. He has a chance for his “Percy Harvin” moment. That doesn’t have to just come on special teams. Darnold and Shaheed could connect again for a special moment.
AJ Barner has blossomed into a well-rounded tight end. He is not one where you need to take him off the field when Seattle needs some extra beef for run blocking. And then he can hold his own running routes and catching passes. He has three games this season of at least four catches for at least 50 yards. The Michigan product is a threat in the red zone as well, ranking second on the team with six touchdown receptions.
Among the 32 tight ends in the NFL with at least 50 targets, Barner ranks eighth in passer rating when targeted and 12th in overall PFF grade. He has been very efficient.
Overall, while yes, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the star of the show, the Seahawks’ passing attack is much more than a one-man band. And the Super Bowl offers another opportunity for Kubiak to showcase all of their weapons catching passes from Darnold.
