Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as a critical figure in the Seattle Seahawks’ journey to Super Bowl 60, delivering a remarkable breakout season during his third year in the NFL. With nearly 2,000 receiving yards and recognition as the Offensive Player of the Year at the recent NFL Honors, Smith-Njigba’s performance marks him as a top-tier talent.
Despite this success, Seahawks legend and three-time Pro Bowler Matt Hasselbeck argues that Smith-Njigba’s accomplishments are not receiving the full recognition they deserve, explaining the reasons behind this underappreciation.
Matt Hasselbeck’s View on Smith-Njigba’s Unnoticed Excellence
Smith-Njigba’s growth has been steady, improving each season, but it was his third year that brought a noticeable leap as he became a dominant receiver. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s strategy played a key role, allowing Smith-Njigba the freedom to operate across the field—in motion, outside, inside, and sometimes even lining up in the backfield—creating mismatches for opposing defenses.
This versatility transformed Smith-Njigba from just a position into a formidable presence on offense. He finished the campaign with 1,793 receiving yards, leading the league, along with 119 catches and 10 touchdowns. Based on PFSN’s NFL WR Impact Metric, his WRi score stands at an impressive 94.4, earning an A grade and ranking second only to Puka Nacua among all receivers.
Still, Hasselbeck points out two factors limiting Smith-Njigba’s broader acclaim: he lacks the flashy style associated with stars like Tyreek Hill or Ja’Marr Chase, and he plays for Seattle, which is not a major media market compared to cities like Los Angeles or Kansas City.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has had a ridiculously good year,
Hasselbeck told PFSN’s Allison Koehler.
If he were more flashy and played in a different market, we would be talking about him a lot more. He is ridiculously good.
Consistency and Dominance Beyond the Spotlight
Hasselbeck’s observation resonates as Smith-Njigba’s statistics speak volumes. In an era when 70 receiving yards in a game is considered a strong showing, Smith-Njigba finished below that mark only twice all season. His dominance earned him unanimous First-Team All-Pro honors, demonstrating respect from peers and analysts alike.
In the playoffs, defensive coordinators focused heavily on containing him, abandoning balanced game plans to slow him specifically. Despite this, Smith-Njigba performed spectacularly in the NFC Championship against the Rams, recording 10 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown, proving hard to stop even under intense coverage.
Approaching Historic NFL Milestones with the Seahawks
After 19 games this season, Smith-Njigba has amassed 1,965 receiving yards and needs just 35 more to join an elite group of receivers who have surpassed 2,000 yards in a single season. This milestone, currently held by only Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, would cement Smith-Njigba’s place among the best to ever play the position.
Achieving this feat alongside a Super Bowl victory would underscore an extraordinary year for the Ohio State alumnus and elevate his status within the NFL as a true superstar emerging under the guidance of Klint Kubiak and supported by a strong Seahawks offense.
