Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is on the brink of making NFL history this season. With just six games remaining, he aims to surpass the current record of 1,964 yards set by Calvin Johnson in 2012, potentially becoming the league’s first player to reach 2,000 receiving yards in a single season. This remarkable pursuit has captivated fans as they watch a local athlete chase a groundbreaking milestone.
The first critical number is 1,964, the benchmark established by Johnson over a decade ago. He was the first player to break the 1,900-yard barrier in a season, a feat only approached by Cooper Kupp, who recorded 1,947 yards in 2021. Currently, Smith-Njigba has amassed 1,313 yards, slightly ahead of the pace set by Johnson, who had 1,257 yards at the same point in his record-setting season. Notably, Johnson’s performance peaked in the latter half of the season, where he added nearly 500 yards between Week 8 and Week 12.
In contrast, Tyreek Hill, another standout receiver, reached 1,324 yards at this stage in the 2023 season but faced challenges later, finishing with 1,799 yards due to injuries. The Seahawks’ hopeful fans are keenly aware that Smith-Njigba will need to maintain a high level of productivity to achieve his goal.
The second significant number is 109. To break Johnson’s record by just one yard, Smith-Njigba must average 109 yards per game over the next six weeks. If he aims for the 2,000-yard milestone, that average increases to 115 yards per game, totaling 687 yards across the remaining matches. The Seahawks’ upcoming schedule presents a mixed bag of defensive challenges. They will face two teams currently ranked among the bottom ten in pass defense: the San Francisco 49ers, allowing 240 passing yards per game, and the Indianapolis Colts, allowing 245 yards per game. The only top-ten defense remaining on their schedule is the Minnesota Vikings, whom they will play this Sunday.
The third number to consider is 1. Of the top ten players in single-season receiving yards since the Super Bowl era began, only one has reached the championship game: Kupp. Ironically, Smith-Njigba’s teammate stands out in this regard, as Johnson’s Detroit Lions finished their season with a 4-12 record, and other notable players like Julio Jones and Isaac Bruce did not make the playoffs with their respective teams. The Seahawks, currently boasting an 8-3 record, appear poised for a playoff run, raising the question of whether Smith-Njigba could chase both the record and a championship in the same season.
As Smith-Njigba continues this remarkable journey, fans are not only focused on his individual achievements but also on how far the Seahawks can go in the playoffs. His performance could ultimately define both his career and the team’s aspirations for a championship. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether he can reach his historical goals while helping propel the Seahawks to postseason success.
