Despite Sunday's loss, second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba notched his first 1,000 receiving-yard season and became the 10th player in franchise history to hit that mark. Seahawks Legends Steve Largent, Brian Blades, Joey Galloway, Darrell Jackson, Koren Robinson, Bobby Engram, Doug Baldwin and current teammates Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf have all hit that mark.
"First, I would like to thank God for being healthy, feeling good, being able to go out there and put that Seahawk helmet on," Smith-Njigba said on reaching the milestone. "It means a lot to me. Geno, too. I want to say thank you to Geno, and the rest of my teammates, receivers, getting me open, and the O-line doing their thing. Hopefully, it's just the beginning."
Smith-Njigba added that having a veteran like Lockett, around has put him "in the best position possible."
"It means everything," Smith-Njigba said. "Everything to this organization. How he carries himself, just everything he's done for this organization and city. He's a leader, and I appreciate him so much. I feel like I'm in the best position possible, having T-Lock and DK and all these other guys. T-Lock, he's a special guy, and I'm just blessed to have his friendship and have him be my teammate."
Since the start of the season, Smith-Njigba has found himself being an integral part of the Seahawks offense in his second year, after coming off of a promising rookie season.
During Sunday's game, he finished the day with 95 yards receiving, five rushing yards and a touchdown. The first half of the game was a quiet one for Smith-Njigba, as Minnesota's defense was able to keep him off the stat sheet, mostly because of a couple of debatable no-calls on third-down pass attempts. Regardless of that, quarterback Geno Smith and Smith-Njigba were able to make some things work in the second half.
"He's a great player," quarterback Geno Smith said. "Been having a tremendous season. Those things are to be expected of him. I think he's only going to continue to get better. He's a fighter. Got a lot of heart. That's something that goes a long way."
Since Week 8 vs. the Bills, Smith-Njigba has been Seattle's leader in receiving yards in each game.
"Jaxon (Smith-Njigba) is playing great football for us," head coach Mike Macdonald said. "Fighting his tail off. We love him. Happy for him."
The Seahawks will travel to Chicago on Christmas Day on a short week to play the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football and after this loss, Smith-Njigba says there's only one way to bounce back from this.
"Win. Win next week and the week after that. That's the best bounce back."
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024.
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Former Seattle Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens was selected to raise the 12 Flag prior to kickoff of the Seahawks vs. Vikings Week 16 matchup at Lumen Field on Sunday, December 22, 2024
