With Seahawks training camp kicking off next week, Seahawks.com is counting down, in no particular order, 10 of the most intriguing storylines, position battles and players heading into the 2026 season. So far, we've looked *at special teams, and the return game in particular*, *safety*, *cornerback*, *off-ball linebacker*, the *defensive front*, the *offensive line*, and *tight end*, and today we turn our attention to receiver. Check back tomorrow when we look at quarterback.
Key Receiver Additions: Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (sixth-round pick), Irv Charles (acquired in trade).
Key Receiver Departures: Dareke Young (signed with Raiders).
The Seahawks will head into the 2026 season as defending Super Bowl champs, but as head coach Mike Macdonald has made clear this offseason, the focus isn't on defending that title or on running it back, even if the Seahawks are returning 20 of 22 starters from their Super Bowl team, but rather on, as Macdonald has phrased it, running it forward.
As Macdonald explained it during offseason workouts, he wants his players to appreciate what they accomplished in 2025 while also recognizing they need to start the process over if they are going to succeed in 2026.
"That's a thing that happened that we can cherish and we should be proud of because of the amount of work that it took and all the things that go into winning a Super Bowl," Macdonald said in May. We should be really proud of that. But I think the thing that we find the joy in is what we've created and the way of life, what we're trying to do here on a daily basis. If you think about last year's team, I think you guys would agree, the cool part about last year's team was the team and the process and the shadow boxing and all the stuff that goes with trying to become a great team every day. Kind of put it in two different boxes where they don't have to be enemies of one another."
Players all seem to be embracing that run it forward approach, and there may be no single player for whom that mentality will be an asset than receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is coming off of an all-time great season in just his third year in the NFL.
"It's an awesome mindset," Smith-Njigba said. "Coach (Mike) Macdonald brought it to the team and that's what we're rolling with. That's who we are and what we're standing on. I think it's just an awesome mindset to have. These banners, it's great to see our names and see what we've done here in the last year; we want to move it forward, build, and evolve with this new team and new circumstances that we're looking forward to."
Smith-Njigba, a 2023 first-round pick, went from promising rookie to Pro-Bowler in his second season after catching 100 passes for 1,130 yards. Then, in his third season and his first as the team's clear No. 1 receiver, Smith-Njigba vaulted into truly elite company, putting together one of the most productive pass-catching seasons in league history. Smith led the NFL with 1,793 yards, the eighth highest single-season total in league history, and also set a team record with 119 catches, helping him earn first-team All-Pro honors while also becoming the second player in team history to win the AP Offensive Player of the Year Award. And Smith-Njigba was able to do that despite playing in an offense that had the fourth fewest pass attempts in the NFL, compiling those numbers on only 163 targets. For comparison, no other player in the top 10 for single-season receiving yards had fewer than 171 targets, and seven of those 10 players had at least 180 targets.
Smith-Njigba's big year extended into the offseason when he signed a contract extension that made him the league's highest-paid receiver and was also named one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in Sports.
But despite all those accolades and accomplishments, Smith-Njigba sees room to grow heading into his fourth season. Even if the volume numbers aren't as big this season—the Seahawks expect 2025 trade acquisition Rashid Shaheed to be more involved in the offense in his first full season with the team, and as Cooper Kupp showed while leading the Seahawks in receiving in two of three postseason games, he is still more than capable of putting up big numbers—Smith-Njigba believes he can find ways to get better.
"It's always attacking, getting bigger, faster, stronger," Smith-Njigba said. "That second year of growth with Sam (Darnold) and the team and playing off 'Shid and Coop, just evolving in that way."
If Smith-Njigba somehow gets better after a record-breaking season, that would be great news for the Seahawks offense, but the overall talent of depth at the position means the Seahawks don't need Smith-Njigba to be the star of every game, even if he so frequently was last season. Kupp, while not a high-volume target, was still highly effective in his ninth NFL season and first in Seattle, turning 70 targets into 47 catches for 593 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In the playoffs, Kupp was his team's leading receiver in both the divisional round win over the 49ers and in the Super Bowl, combining for 121 yards on 11 catches in those two games, and in the NFC championship game, he added a touchdown against his former team. Kupp's value as a leader and a sounding board for players and coaches alike is hard to quantify but incredibly important to the team, but he still also looks to have a lot to give, production wise, heading into his 10th season.
Then there's Shaheed, who had a modest 15 catches for 188 yards in nine games after arriving in a trade. Shaheed also added three return touchdowns, including the playoffs, and his speed had an effect on defenses even when the ball wasn't coming his way, so he had a big impact in 2025, but the expectation, both from him and from coaches, is that he can and will be much more involved in the offense after having a full offseason and training camp with the team.
"Excited for him," Smith-Njigba said. "Came back more explosive than ever. I'm happy for him to finally get a whole offseason with us and into training camp. It's always a special time and it's a grind. For him to be here with us and go through that it's just going to excel him to greater things this season."
Head coach Mike Macdonald said, "Rashid, he deserves a lot of credit. He's been here the whole time. He's had a great attitude. He's had a lot of personal records in our offseason training program. The timing of our plays look like it should, given the amount of reps that are invested into it. I know I'm as excited as heck to see where it goes."
If that bigger role ends up materializing for Shaheed, and if Kupp continues where he left off in the playoffs, maybe Smith-Njigba has a great season without piling up 1,700-plus yards, but that would still be good news for the offense. And another positive for Seattle is that there's strong depth behind that trio.
Tory Horton, who was having a great start to his rookie season before suffering a season-ending shin injury, is expected to be back for training camp and will give the Seahawks another field-stretching speed threat along with Shaheed. The Seahawks also brought back Jake Bobo, matching an offer sheet he signed with the Jaguars as a restricted free agent. Also competing in camp for spots will be Ricky White III, who impressed coaches and teammates with his play on the practice squad last season; Cody White, who seems to thrive every time he gets an opportunity, as well as a couple of recent acquisitions, sixth-round pick Emmanuel Henderson Jr. and trade acquisition Irv Charles, both of whom profile as special teams contributors.
Check out photos of the Seahawks roster for the 2026 season.
This is a 2026 photo of DeMarcus Lawrence of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0)
This is a 2026 photo of Julian Neal of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Julian Neal (1)
This is a 2026 photo of Drew Lock of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2)
This is a 2026 photo of Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3)
This is a 2026 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
This is a 2026 photo of Jason Myers of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
This is a 2026 photo of Jalen Milroe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6)
This is a 2025 photo of Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7)
This is a 2026 photo of Jadarian Price of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8)
This is a 2026 photo of Bud Clark of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9)
This is a 2026 photo of Cooper Kupp of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10)
This is a 2026 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
This is a 2026 photo of Ernest Jones IV of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13)
This is a 2026 photo of Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14)
This is a 2026 photo of Tory Horton of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15)
This is a 2026 photo of Noah Igbinoghene of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17)
This is a 2026 photo of Elijah Arroyo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18)
This is a 2026 photo of Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19)
This is a 2026 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
This is a 2026 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
This is a 2026 photo of Rashid Shaheed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22)
This is a 2026 photo of DíAnthony Bell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23)
This is a 2026 photo of Rodney Thomas II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Rodney Thomas II (24)
This is a 2026 photo of Kenny McIntosh of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25)
This is a 2026 photo of Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)
This is a 2026 photo of Emanuel Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27)
This is a 2026 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)
This is a 2026 photo of Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29)
This is a 2026 photo of AJ Finley of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30)
This is a 2026 photo of Tyrone Broden of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Tyrone Broden (31)
This is a 2026 photo of Jacardia Wright of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31)
This is a 2026 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32)
This is a 2026 photo of Venus Jones Jr of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (33)
This is a 2026 photo of Shemar Jean-Charles of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34)
This is a 2026 photo of Andre Fuller of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Andre Fuller (35)
This is a 2026 photo of Rashad Rochelle of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35)
This is a 2026 photo of George Holani of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back George Holani (36)
This is a 2026 photo of Michael Danby of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Michael Dansby (37)
This is a 2026 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38)
This is a 2026 photo of Ty Okada of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39)
This is a 2026 photo of Robbie Ouzts of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40)
This is a 2026 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)
This is a 2026 photo of Lance Mason of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Lance Mason (42)
This is a 2026 photo of Maxen Hook of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Maxen Hook (43)
This is a 2026 photo of Chazz Surratt of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44)
This is a 2026 photo of JaíMarkis Weston of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Ja'Markis Weston (46)
This is a 2026 photo of Harrison Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Ja'Markis Weston (46)
This is a 2026 photo of Jalan Gaines of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Jalan Gaines (47)
This is a 2026 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)
This is a 2026 photo of Chris Paul Jr of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49)
This is a 2026 photo of Jamie Sheriff of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50)
This is a 2026 photo of Jared Ivey of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Jared Ivey (51)
This is a 2026 photo of Patrick OíConnell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52)
This is a 2026 photo of Olu Oluwatimi of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55)
This is a 2026 photo of Dante Fowler of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56).
This is a 2026 photo of Connor OíToole of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57)
This is a 2026 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
This is a 2026 photo of Marvin Jones Jr of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Marvin Jones Jr. (59)
This is a 2026 photo of Beau Stephens of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Beau Stephens (60)
This is a 2026 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61)
This is a 2026 photo of Federico Maranges of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Federico Maranges (62)
This is a 2026 photo of Christian Haynes of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64)
This is a 2026 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67)
This is a 2026 photo of Deven Eastern of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Bobby Hart (68)
This is a 2026 photo of Wy'Kevious Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Bubba Thomas (69)
This is a 2026 photo of J.R. Singleton of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70)
This is a 2026 photo of Abraham Lucas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72)
This is a 2026 photo of Logan Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73)
This is a 2026 photo of Josh Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74)
This is a 2026 photo of Anthony Bradford of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75)
This is a 2026 photo of Grey Zabel of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76)
This is a 2026 photo of Bryce Cabeldue of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77)
This is a 2026 photo of Mason Richman of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle/guard Mason Richman (78)
This is a 2026 photo of Amari Kight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Amari Kight (79)
This is a 2026 photo of Eric Saubert of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81)
This is a 2026 photo of Cody White of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82)
This is a 2026 photo of Emmanuel Henderson Jr of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84)
This is a 2026 photo of Irv Charles of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Irv Charles (85)
This is a 2026 photo of Ricky White III of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86)
This is a 2026 photo of Montorie Foster of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87)
This is a 2026 photo of A.J. Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)
This is a 2026 photo of Nick Kallerup of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89)
This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90)
This is a 2026 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)
This is a 2026 photo of Uso Seumalo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Uso Seumalo (92)
This is a 2026 photo of Aidan Hubbard of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Aidan Hubbard (93)
This is a 2026 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)
This is a 2026 photo of Brandon Pili of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95)
This is a 2026 photo of Deven Eastern of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Deven Eastern (97)
This is a 2026 photo of Rylie Mills of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the roster as of June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98)
This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)
