Jaxon Smith-Njigba Joins Rare Air After Historic Season, Capping Seahawks’ Super Bowl Run
Ohio State fans have been waiting for this moment since Jaxon Smith-Njigba first lit up the Big Ten. Now, in just his third NFL season, he’s not only arrived - he’s taken over. Smith-Njigba capped a breakout year by helping the Seattle Seahawks hoist the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night in Santa Clara, and in doing so, he etched his name into one of the NFL’s most exclusive clubs.
Only one player in league history had ever led the NFL in receiving yards, won Offensive Player of the Year, and won a Super Bowl in the same season. That was Cooper Kupp in 2021. Now, he’s got company - and not just from anyone, but from his own teammate.
Smith-Njigba’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. He torched defenses all year long, showcasing elite route-running, sticky hands, and a knack for making the big play when it mattered most. And while the Super Bowl itself didn’t feature his flashiest stat line - four catches for 27 yards, his second-lowest total of the season - the body of work speaks for itself.
What made that performance even more impressive was the context. New England’s Christian Gonzalez shadowed him for much of the game and did a solid job, and JSN briefly left the game to be evaluated for a concussion before returning.
Still, Seattle didn’t miss a beat. That’s where the value of having a veteran like Cooper Kupp comes into play.
Kupp, who knows all about delivering on the biggest stage, stepped up with six catches for 61 yards, leading the Seahawks in receiving on the night.
But make no mistake - this was Smith-Njigba’s season. And now, it’s going to be his offseason.
A Historic Season, a Massive Payday on the Horizon
At just 23 years old, Smith-Njigba has already accomplished what most receivers only dream about. He didn’t just lead the league in receiving - he did it while being the focal point of every defense’s game plan, while playing in a loaded offense, and while sharing targets with another elite wideout in Kupp. That’s not just production; that’s dominance.
And now, it’s about to pay off.
Smith-Njigba is extension-eligible this offseason, and the numbers are going to be eye-popping. When Cooper Kupp had his historic 2021 season, the Rams rewarded him with a three-year, $80 million extension that included $35 million guaranteed at signing.
That deal reset the market at the time. Now, it’s JSN’s turn to raise the bar.
He’s in a strong position. As a former first-round pick, Smith-Njigba already has the fifth-year option built into his rookie deal, giving the Seahawks a bit more control - but also giving him more leverage.
He’s already made more money than many of his peers, which means he can afford to wait if the deal isn’t right. But make no mistake: he’s going to get paid, and paid big.
There’s another wrinkle here, too. Puka Nacua, the Rams’ rising star who stepped into Kupp’s role as Matthew Stafford’s go-to guy, is also due for a new contract.
The two receivers are likely to be linked throughout the offseason in a high-stakes game of financial leapfrog. Whoever signs first will set the market, and the other will likely top it.
But JSN’s draft pedigree and production give him the edge.
Cementing His Legacy - And Just Getting Started
It’s hard to overstate what Smith-Njigba just accomplished. Leading the league in receiving is tough.
Winning Offensive Player of the Year is tougher. Winning a Super Bowl on top of all that?
That’s legendary stuff.
And he’s just getting started.
Smith-Njigba has already carved out a place in NFL history with one of the greatest wide receiver seasons we’ve seen in years. Now, the question isn’t whether he’ll get paid - it’s how much, and how soon. And for Seahawks fans, the more exciting question might be: what’s next?
Because if this season was any indication, Jaxon Smith-Njigba isn’t just a star. He’s a superstar - and he might be the face of the league’s next great wide receiver era.