Matt Calkins: Why no Seahawk encapsulates the team more than Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Matt Calkins, The Seattle Times on Feb 6, 2026

Published in Football

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SAN JOSE, Calif. — If there is one player who embodies the Seahawks' where did that come from?" vibe this year, it's a receiver who wears No. 11.

If there is one athlete who encapsulates the Seahawks' one-year ascent from respectable to incredible, it's the Ohio State product from Texas.

It was fair to wonder just how productive Jaxon Smith-Njigba would be when the season began. The 23-year-old racked up 1,130 receiving yards the prior year — his second in the NFL — which was good for 12th in the league.

Moreover, he was playing alongside DK Metcalf, who had fewer yards but was considered the more threatening wideout. Would JSN be open if the opponents' top corner was covering him regularly?

Well, that seems like a ridiculous question now considering Smith-Njigba led the NFL in receiving yards this season with 1,793. It seems absurd that anyone would question him given that he was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday night at NFL Honors.

It's up for debate who the most valuable Seahawk is, but there is nobody better at his position as JSN. The most refreshing part? He would be the last to tell you that.

"Something I respect about him from the moment I met him is how humble he is," Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams said. "I've seen — especially receivers, you know those are the type of guys that sometimes get the big heads and the big egos and all those type of things. The guys who score touchdowns, usually you see them be more prima-donna type of people … but he's the ultimate teammate."

Smith-Njigba certainly dresses the part of superstar — rocking cowboy hats or other boisterous attire throughout the year, but he doesn't talk like one. You're not going to see him start social-media beefs or prop himself up after a win.

His game tape is the only promoter he needs, and this year it's been filthy.

Nine times this season, JSN has collected at least 100 yards in a game. Twice, he has surpassed 160. The 153 yards he gained against the Rams in the NFC championship game might be the difference between the Seahawks playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday vs. watching it from Cancún.

But what teammates seem to appreciate are the tasks he performs that don't show up on a stat sheet. Thursday, Seahawks guard Grey Zabel echoed Williams' thoughts on Smith-Njigba's humility.

"With the success that he's had, he'd be able to take a back seat with some of the stuff we do on offense, but he wants to be in the driver's seat. He wants to go and compete, he wants to block, he wants to do the dirty jobs," Zabel said. "I think it allows the team to see that nobody is too big for this team."

There are a lot of Patriots fans out there who hope JSN gets humbled in a way his teammates won't enjoy. New England does, after all, have two-time Pro Bowler Christian Gonzalez lining up at cornerback. Gonzalez was in Smith-Njigba's draft class and also went to a high school 40 miles from Smith-Njigba.

They didn't know each other at the time. They sure do now.

"That area around Dallas, Texas, produces some great football players," Smith-Njigba said. "He's a hell of a player, and since I've known him, he's been a great dude. I have a lot of respect for Gonzo."

The respect is mutual.

Said Gonzalez earlier in the week: "He can do everything from every spot in the field. He's a smooth runner, a smooth route-runner. He can run every route. He's just an amazing player."

One of the more noteworthy features of Smith-Njigba's game is how effortless it looks. He doesn't blow DBs away with his speed but dominates them with technique.

While calling the NFC championship game for Fox, Tom Brady pointed out that JSN's shoulder plane "never dips," making it difficult for cornerbacks to figure out what he is going to do. The end result is what might be the finest offensive season in the NFL this year.

Smith-Njigba said Thursday that winning OPOY would be "a blessing but that the individual accolade is more of a reflection on team success. That sounds like something he would say.

There might not be a better player on the football field when the Seahawks meet the Pats than Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Someone needs to say that. He's not going to tell you himself.