Seahawks Announce Historic Jaxson Smith-Njigba Award News Before Commanders Game
Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Seattle Seahawks are 5-2, with a Week 9 matchup against the Washington Commanders. Their only losses are to the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
So far, Smith-Njigba has formed a strong connection with quarterback Sam Darnold, who signed a three-year contract this past offseason. With DK Metcalf also being dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Smith-Njigba established himself as the Seahawks’ true No. 1 wide receiver.
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In seven games this season, he has been targeted 70 times (tied for fourth in NFL) for 50 receptions (tied for sixth), 819 yards (most in the NFL) and four touchdowns (tied for 14th).
Smith-Njigba is establishing himself as one of the league’s best players and on Thursday, he was named the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Month for October.
On the same day, the Seahawks’ official website announced he became the first wide receiver in franchise history to win the honor.
“Smith-Njigba is also the first Seahawks receiver to earn offensive player of the month honors (receivers Tyler Lockett and Nate Burleson both won Special Teams Player of the Month during their Seahawks career),” team writer Ari Horton wrote.
In October, Smith-Njigba played in three games, hauling in 24 receptions for 417 yards and three touchdowns on 36 targets.
Horton also noted that Smith-Njigba became the second player in team history to record three straight 100-yard games, joining Metcalf.
The one-time Pro Bowler is eligible for an extension in 2026 and is working himself into a huge payday. Spotrac predicts Smith-Njigba’s market value will earn him a three-year, $109.5 million deal.
For now, though, he and the Seahawks remain focused on 2025, with an upcoming matchup against the 3-5 Commanders on “Sunday Night Football” at 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday on NBC.
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Flacco Benched Again as Browns Struggle - Veteran QB Faces Uncertain Future
Joe Flacco’s future with the Cleveland Browns is again a prominent conversation following a 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Outside of a successful first drive, Flacco had a miserable outing against the Lions. He threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in the fourth quarter. Cleveland’s first drive went 88 yards and ended with Quinshon Judkins rumbling into the end zone from 1-yard out. The Browns finished the game with 249 total yards.
Flacco was replaced by Dillon Gabriel late in the fourth quarter with the Browns down 34-10. Gabriel attempted just one pass, which fell incomplete.
It’s the second time Flacco has been pulled this season. He also hit the pine during a 41-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
After the lopsided loss, Flacco addressed mounting questions about his job security.
“You can’t think about it when you’re a player. I know what I signed up for. I signed up to compete for a job and lead this team to victories,” Flacco said from the podium. “You know everyone is being evaluated in this league. That’s no different for any position. It’s disappointing to go out there and play the way we played today. Other than that, not worried about all that stuff.”
Browns Not ‘Focused’ on Making Quarterback Change
The Browns need a spark on offense. Cleveland is averaging just 13.3 points per game and lack the ability to make momentum-swinging plays downfield. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski did not want to discuss the quarterback situation moving forward following the loss to the Lions.
“When we struggle like we did on offense, I understand the question. But it’s not our focus,” Stefanski said. “It’s never going to be about one person. We’re not doing a good enough job. I put myself in there as well. We have to be better.”
Stefanski isn’t wrong that the Browns’ offense needs improvement across the board. But Flacco has been a major part of the problem. He’s already thrown six interceptions and lost two fumbles. While not every turnover falls squarely on him, his first pick against the Lions on Sunday is one Browns fans won’t forget.
The 40-year-old veteran floated a pass down the sideline with no Cleveland receiver in sight, leaving Detroit’s Kerby Joseph waiting to make the easy interception. Flacco took the blame for the play.
“The first pick was on me,” Flacco said. “When you turn the ball over like that, give them good field position and don’t allow the defense to pin their ears back and do their thing, you’re going to struggle as a whole.”
Browns Face Pressure to Play Rookie QBs After Flacco Flops
There’s mounting pressure on the Browns to see what their rookie quarterbacks — Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders — can bring to the table. With Cleveland sitting at 1-3 and the offense ranking among the league’s worst, sticking with Flacco as the starter offers little upside.
The Browns hold two first-round picks in next year’s draft, which they could potentially use to select a quarterback.
Gabriel will be the first rookie to get a look. The Browns selected the former Oregon standout in the third round and have consistently praised his quick football IQ. While he’s not a prototypical dual-threat quarterback, Gabriel has enough mobility to extend plays and add a different dimension to an offense that’s been hampered by injuries at offensive tackle.
Sanders is also lurking and told reporters this week that he’s ready to start now.
