Jaxon Smith-Njigba's historic pace should make OPOY voters take notice

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-breaking pace should make OPOY voters take notice

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 6:55 PM ET

Opposing defenders better get used to Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba dunking on goalposts after scoring touchdowns.

The third-year WR dominated in Week 7 against the Houston Texans on "Monday Night Football." In the 27-19 Seattle win, he had eight receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown catch. With the stellar performance, Smith-Njigba is now in a position to break a Pro Football Hall of Famer's record.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba could break this record

Through seven games, Smith-Njigba has averaged a league-leading 117 receiving yards per game (819 yards). If he maintains that average for the rest of the season, he will break former WR Calvin Johnson's record for receiving yards in a season.

Smith-Njigba could finish with 1,989 yards in 17 games. The former Detroit Lions standout had 1,964 yards in 16 games during the 2012 season. He averaged 122.8 receiving yards per game.

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Johnson's mark would still be slightly more impressive, considering he did it in fewer games and had a higher average. That doesn't detract from what Smith-Njigba is doing.

His spectacular season is putting him in a position to win Offensive Player of the Year for the first time in his career. As of Tuesday, DraftKings Sportsbook lists his OPOY odds at +400, the second best behind Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (-110).

Taylor leads the league in rushing yards (697 in seven games). However, it would be hard to argue against Smith-Njigba's case if he breaks the record, especially after Seattle changed quarterbacks this offseason. After trading QB Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle signed QB Sam Darnold in free agency.

When Johnson set his mark in 2012, he had played with QB Matthew Stafford for three seasons. Smith-Njigba surpassing Johnson after a QB change would prove that he helps elevate QBs. That would further cement his argument as the league's best offensive weapon.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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