Jaxon Smith-Njigba Injury History & Analysis

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Seahawks WR DK Metcalf has requested a trade. Metcalf has one year remaining on his contract and just turned 27 in mid-December. He's reportedly seeking a new contract.

The Seahawks are hiring Klint Kubiak as their OC, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. It'll be Kubiak's third OC gig, following stints with the Vikings (2021) and Saints (2024). That Vikings squad finished 12th in total yards and 14th in points. The 2024 Saints got off to a hot start, scoring 91 points over the first two games of the season. But they averaged just 16.5 points per game the rest of the way, due at least in part to injuries to QB Derek Carr and the offensive line. Kubiak's Saints ranked 19th in neutral pass rate and 25th in pass rate over expected. The 2021 Vikings -- quarterbacked by Kirk Cousins -- finished 12th in neutral pass rate and 17th in pass rate over expected. The 2025 Seahawks figure to be a more balanced offense than last year's version, which ranked third in neutral pass rate and sixth in pass rate over expected.

The Seahawks fired OC Ryan Grubb. This one catches us by surprise. Seattle finished 14th in total yards and 18th in points in Grubb's lone season at the helm. He was one of the pass-heavier play callers in the league, with the Seahawks ranking seventh in pass attempts and eighth in yards. QB Geno Smith completed 70.4% of his passes at 7.5 yards per attempt, and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba broke out for a 100-1,130-6 receiving line. We'll see who defensive-minded HC Mike Macdonald tabs as his next OC.

Seahawks QB Geno Smith (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He's clearly on track to start this weekend's game vs. the Vikings -- and it looks like he'll be closer to 100% than we thought. Smith still isn't a recommended QB1 play (he's finished outside the top 18 QBs in fantasy points in five straight), but his availability is good news for Seattle's skill-position players.

Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald said Monday that he's "optimistic" QB Geno Smith (knee) will be able to practice this week and play against the Vikings on Sunday. "We’re fortunate," Macdonald said. "A lot of positive, optimistic signs coming out of the test. Geno’s a beast, man — he’s in here, working out in the morning, working through it. I know he’s still feeling it, but this guy’s tough as nails." We'll track Smith's status throughout the week. QB Sam Howell would be a tangible downgrade for the passing game if forced to start.