SEATTLE — In recent games, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks has begun to establish himself as a vital part of the team’s offense.
In Week 2, Smith-Njigba achieved his first 100-yard receiving game against the New England Patriots, recording 12 catches for 117 yards. However, he truly showcased his talent in Week 9 when he tallied seven receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns despite the team facing a defeat against the Los Angeles Rams.
Following that extraordinary performance, Smith-Njigba surpassed the 100-yard mark yet again in the subsequent match, where he had 10 catches for 110 yards, contributing to Seattle’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
According to fellow wide receiver DK Metcalf, it was simply a matter of time before Smith-Njigba found his rhythm. “Jaxon is a great receiver. It was just a matter of time before he really got his opportunity to shine, and I’m glad he did it in the fashion that he did,” Metcalf stated.
Smith-Njigba was selected by the Seahawks as the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after a remarkable tenure at Ohio State, where he amassed 95 receptions and 1,606 yards in his sophomore season.
His rookie year was solid, accumulating 63 receptions for 628 yards over 17 games. Already this season, through just 10 games, he has recorded 678 yards on 60 catches, sharing the limelight with Metcalf and veteran Tyler Lockett.
Recently, Smith-Njigba has seemingly become quarterback Geno Smith’s preferred target, having led the team in receiving attempts during the last two outings.
Coach Mike Macdonald confirmed Smith-Njigba’s pivotal role in the offense, stating, “We’re always going to have stuff in the game plan where he’s the primary guy. You see some of the stuff that’s on time, or he’s getting to the right spots. How we’re running some of the routes is able to free him up.”
Metcalf noted that Smith-Njigba’s success can be attributed to his “nonchalant” style of play, commenting, “That’s just how he plays the game. Very loose and ‘all right, I’m going to just be me out there.’ I think that’s the best way to approach it, just be yourself and let the chips fall.”
Metcalf recognized Smith-Njigba’s exceptional talent after witnessing his standout performance in a single game—the 2022 Rose Bowl, where he recorded an astounding 347 receiving yards and three touchdowns in Ohio State’s thrilling win against Utah.
On Sunday, Smith-Njigba will reunite with a familiar face from that Rose Bowl matchup: Arizona Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison, Jr. Both were teammates at Ohio State and collectively caught six touchdowns during that memorable game.
The duo joins a growing list of Ohio State receivers currently making waves in the NFL, including Garrett Wilson with the New York Jets and Chris Olave with the New Orleans Saints, who are both enjoying successful careers.
Smith-Njigba expressed pride in representing Ohio State, stating, “For the ones that are still there at Ohio State looking at us, or committed, we take much pride in that, to living up to the standard that the guys ahead of us had created.”
He appears determined to uphold that standard as he continues his NFL journey. Geno Smith has been particularly impressed with Smith-Njigba’s contributions and noted his potential for growth, especially after the impressive 180-yard performance against the Rams.
“He was all over the place,” Smith praised. “He played with extreme fire. Shoot, he was just doing his thing. That’s who he is. We’ve got to continue to build on that. He’s a guy who is only going to get better and (I) really appreciate playing with him.”