Seattle Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba joins Madden NFL 27 99 Club
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, has been awarded a 99 rating in Madden NFL 27. This achievement places him among an elite group of players in the video game. Smith-Njigba’s inclusion follows a season where he recorded significant statistics and earned a new contract.
The 99 rating in Madden NFL 27 is shared by five other players. These include Matthew Stafford, quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, and Myles Garrett, a defensive end also with the Los Angeles Rams. Other members of this exclusive club are quarterback Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase from the Cincinnati Bengals, and tight end Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals.
Smith-Njigba’s Recent Performance and Contract
Smith-Njigba’s performance in his sophomore NFL season saw him accumulate over 1,000 yards receiving. He then followed this with a season where he caught 199 passes for 1,793 yards, averaging 15.1 yards per reception, and scored ten touchdowns. This led to him being named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year.
His on-field success resulted in a record-setting contract extension. Smith-Njigba signed a four-year deal valued at $168.6 million, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. The contract includes an average annual value of $42.15 million and guarantees $120 million, both figures setting new records for a wide receiver.
Smith-Njigba is also noted as the youngest player in this year’s 99 Club, both in terms of age and NFL experience. He is 23 years old and delivered a breakout 2025 season for the Seahawks, catching 119 passes for a league-leading 1,793 receiving yards in his third NFL season. His contributions were significant in the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl and in the success of quarterback Sam Darnold.
Other 99 Club Members and Their Achievements
Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is making his third overall appearance in the 99 Club, having also received the top rating in Madden NFL 23. This marks his second consecutive year with a 99 rating. Garrett also won his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award after setting the league’s single-season sacks record.
Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP, is making his first appearance in the 99 Club as he enters his 18th season. Last season, Stafford won league MVP honors for the first time, throwing for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns during the regular season. He then led the Rams to the NFC Championship game.
Ja’Marr Chase and Josh Allen are also repeat members of the 99 Club, with this being their second consecutive year and second time overall receiving the top rating. Trey McBride, tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, also earned a 99 rating. Despite challenges faced by his team, McBride set an NFL single-season record for tight ends with 126 receptions. He also tied for second in the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions and ranked third with 169 targets.
The Madden NFL 27 class features three players who are carryovers from last year’s 99 Club: Myles Garrett, Ja’Marr Chase, and Josh Allen. Players like Saquon Barkley, Lamar Jackson, Justin Jefferson, and Lane Johnson, who achieved a 99 rating in last year’s game, did not repeat this year. Aaron Donald previously held a record of seven consecutive years with a 99 rating, while Peyton Manning had a run of six straight 99 Club appearances.
EA Sports plans to present each member of the Madden NFL 2027 initial 99 Club with a glass trophy, designed by artist Victor Solomon, which will include a “Player Issue, 99 Club” Topps card. Smith-Njigba is the second player from Ohio State to earn a 99 rating in an EA Sports game, following Jeremiah Smith’s announcement as the only player in College Football 27 with a 99 rating earlier this month.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
