With five more catches on Sunday, receiver Jackson Smith-Njigba would finish his second season with 101 receptions, a total that would break the Seahawks single-season receptions record.
That would be a significant accomplishment for a player who is still 22 years old and who is just wrapping up his second season, because it would mean he has accomplished something never done by Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent, or by Pro Bowlers like Brian Blades, Doug Baldwin, DK Metcalf, or by the current holder of that record, Tyler Lockett, who had 100 catches in 2020.
And it's an accomplishment Smith-Njigba didn't even realize he was approaching until Lockett told him about it recently, while at the same time supporting his younger teammate's quest to break his record.
"The first time I actually heard about it, honestly, was when he came up to me about two weeks ago and he was like, 'Hey man, I think you're going to break my record, I hope you break my record,'" Smith-Njigba said.
If Smith-Njigba is indeed able to cap a standout second season by breaking Lockett's record, it will be fitting that he can do so while sharing a field with a player who has meant so much to his development over his first two seasons in the league.
"It means a lot to hear his words, and for him to be right beside me is definitely cool," said Smith-Njigba, who also has 1,121 receiving yards and six touchdowns through 16 games, helping him to be named a Pro-Bowl alternate. "He has meant everything to me. To come in and have Tyler Lockett, one, a great person, and the ultimate teammate, the ultimate competitor, I couldn't have walked into a better situation. He's a guy that I love, and I'm just happy that we both wear the same jersey."
For Lockett, who once experienced breaking his father's record at Kansas State, understands better than most the old cliché that records are meant to be broken. And in a season in which he has often sacrificed production in the name of being a good teammate, he will be pulling for Smith-Njigba to get the catches he needs Sunday to break that record.
"At the end of the day, I wanted to be able to support him ever since Jax became part of the team," Lockett said. "When you have records, there's a part of you where you might not want that record to be broken or whatever, but records are meant to be broken, I learned that even in my dad's situation when I got the opportunity to beat my dad's records, and you start to understand that just over the course of time, things change. The game changes… Jax has done an amazing job with his opportunities, day in and day out. He's done well even at practice, being able to translate everything that he does on the field to the games and so for me, I just want to be able to be in full support."
Lockett, who is finishing his 10th season with the Seahawk, has gone from role player and return man early in his career, to the team's top receiver, at one point recording four straight 1,000-yard season, and he now ranks second in franchise history behind Largent in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
But in addition to his production, he has also consistently been a leader and beloved teammate, as is evident in the three Steve Largent Awards he has won in the past four years. So no one is surprised that Lockett is supporting Smith-Njigba as the younger receiver chases his record.
"He's been the OG here, the vet; now been here for 10 years," said Metcalf. "No better person I think since I've been here to represent this organization better than him just by the way he carries himself, the way he works hard, and never let's a situation get to him. He's always getting open on the field whenever we're going back to watching film. Grateful to have spent time with him. Grateful to have spent six years with him and just learned from him. Great player, great person, great friend in my opinion. So yeah, he's done everything the right way and he's a Hall of Famer in my book on and off the field.
Metcalf said Smith-Njigba potentially breaking Lockett's record, while still playing with Lockett, "Like a passing of the torch, in my opinion. Lock has been a great teammate to Jax since Day 1. I don't think that's changed. Speaking on Jax's season, he's had a great season. And rightfully so. He's worked his butt off to get to that point to continue his success throughout this whole year. I think it's just difficult to not listen to the outside noise. The success he's this season, he hasn't let it get to him. He still comes in here every day and tries to work hard and see how he can get even better for the next game or next season. So just kudos to both of those guys. One being the cagey vet who doesn't let anything faze him, and a rising star in this league that everybody has got to see this year and for years to come."
Added offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, "I think everybody in this community knows who Tyler is. He's a guy I think everybody on the team looks up to in a lot of different ways, both professionally and just the type of person he is. I don't think there's anybody on the team that would be surprised by Tyler saying that, myself included. He's one of the classiest guys I've ever been around. He genuinely cares for his teammates, and he comes out here and lays it out every day."
The Seahawks practiced inside at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver John Rhys Plumlee (17) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks center Mike Novitsky (60), guard Christian Haynes (64) and center Jalen Sundell (61) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) and defensive end Kenneth Odumegwu (77) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Damarion Williams (37) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Michael Dowell (46) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe (78) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Ryan Cooper Jr. (35) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks tight end Tyler Mabry (85) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks quarterback Jaren Hall (15) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Miles Boykin (81) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks tight end Tyler Mabry (85) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks quarterback Jaren Hall (15) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and coach Leslie Frazier at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and coach Leslie Frazier at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks defensive lineman Quinton Bohanna (92) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Tyler Hall (33) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Tyreke Smith (59) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
