Tyler Lockett’s support ‘means everything’ to Jaxon Smith-Njigba as he approaches veteran receiver’s record

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 just completing his second season, because it would mean he accomplished something that Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent or Pro Bowlers like Brian Blades have never done , Doug Baldwin, DK Metcalf or the current record holder Tyler Lockett, who had 100 catches in 2020.

And it’s a feat Smith-Njigba didn’t even know he was approaching until Lockett told him about it recently, while also supporting his younger teammate’s quest to break his record.

“The first time I heard about it, honestly, was when he came up to me about two weeks ago and said, ‘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 stellar second season by breaking Lockett’s record, it would be fitting that he can do so while sharing the field with a player who has been in the league in his first two seasons League has meant so much for his development.

“It means a lot to me to hear his words, and it’s definitely cool that he’s standing right next to me,” said Smith-Njigba, who also has 1,121 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 16 games, adding to his Named to the Pro Bowl helped change. “He meant everything to me. Coming here and having Tyler Lockett, a great human being and the ultimate teammate, the ultimate competitor, I couldn’t have been in a better situation. He’s a guy I love and I’m just glad we both wear the same jersey.

Because Lockett, who once saw himself break 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 where he has often sacrificed performance to be a good teammate, he will line up for Smith-Njigba on Sunday to get the catches he needs to break that record.

“Ultimately, ever since Jax joined the team, I wanted to be able to support him,” 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 myself in my father’s situation, when I got the opportunity to break my father’s records.” And you start to understand that things change over time. Jax has made excellent use of his opportunities day after day and is able to do everything well. He does it on the field in the games and that’s why I just want to be able to be fully supported.