Smith-Njigba hits 1,036 yards as first player to cross 1,000 this season
The Seahawks receiver secured the milestone during a 17-3 victory over Arizona, extending his franchise record for consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns.
By Giulia Marshall ·
Jaxon Smith-Njigba became the first player in the National Football League to reach 1,000 receiving yards this season on Sunday in Seattle.
The milestone occurred in the first quarter of a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Smith-Njigba, who entered the contest with 985 yards, caught an eight-yard pass from Drew Lock. That catch marked his third reception of the game and pushed his total to exactly 1,000 yards.
Smith-Njigba finished the contest with seven receptions for 51 yards. The result helped the Seahawks defeat the Cardinals 17-3. He now leads the league in receptions with 71, yards with 1,036, and touchdown catches with nine. This statistical edge positions him for the receiving triple crown.
The fourth-year professional is the third player in franchise history to record three straight 1,000-yard seasons. He joins Steve Largent and Tyler Lockett in that distinction. In the previous campaign, Smith-Njigba led the league with 1,793 yards and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors while the team won the Super Bowl.
Smith-Njigba is now positioned to challenge a historical benchmark. Calvin Johnson recorded 1,964 yards for Detroit in 2012, standing as the highest single-season total in league history. No player has yet surpassed the 2,000-yard mark.
Cooper Kupp, a teammate and fellow receiver, noted that anything is possible for Smith-Njigba. Kupp stated that while the 2,000-yard milestone is likely a goal, Smith-Njigba’s primary focus remains on winning games.
