Tag: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Feb 11, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) reacts during the Super Bowl LX parade. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Reports: Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba to become highest-paid WR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba recently said he expects to become the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.

He got his wish with a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension that includes $120 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports on Monday.

Smith-Njigba’s $42.15 million annual salary surpasses Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase, who averages $40.25 million per season on his four-year, $161 million deal.

“I think I deserve to be the highest-paid at my position, just what I give to the game and the community, I give it my all. And I think that’s worth a lot, lot more,” Smith-Njigba told WFAA-TV in February.

“I would play this game for free, I love this game so much, but you don’t have to. I’m learning to be a good businessman, and we need that check at the end of the day.”

The Seahawks had exercised Smith-Njigba’s fifth-year option last Friday.

He was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2025 when he set franchise records with 119 receptions and 1,793 receiving yards. He also caught 10 scoring passes.

He had 17 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs last season, including four receptions for 27 yards as the Seahawks beat the New England Patriots, 29-13, in Super Bowl LX.

Smith-Njigba, who turned 24 in February, has 282 receptions for 3,551 yards and 20 touchdown catches in 51 NFL games (36 starts). The 20th overall pick in 2023 out of Ohio State is a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

–Field Level Media

Feb 11, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) reacts during the Super Bowl LX parade. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba: ‘I think I deserve to be the highest-paid at my position’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is eligible for a new contract because he has played three seasons on his rookie deal.

While Smith-Njigba says he isn’t pressing the issue, the 2025 AP Offensive Player of the Year said he believes he should be the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver.

“I’m really not too pressed right now to get it done,” Smith-Njigba told WFAA-TV. “I know my time is coming, and when we get it done it’s gonna be a great deal. God’s timing is perfect timing, so whenever that may come, we’ll be ready for it. I think I deserve to be the highest-paid at my position, just what I give to the game and the community, I give it my all. And I think that’s worth a lot, lot more.”

Smith-Njigba, who turned 24 last Saturday, has one season remaining on his four-year, $14.4 million rookie contract.

“I would play this game for free, I love this game so much, but you don’t have to,” he said. “I’m learning to be a good businessman, and we need that check at the end of the day.”

Smith-Njigba put himself in position for a big payday after leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards in the 2025 regular season. He also had 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns en route to being selected for his second straight Pro Bowl.

Smith-Njigba didn’t stop there, totaling 199 yards and two touchdowns in three postseason games as the Seahawks won the franchise’s second Super Bowl title.

He has 282 catches for 3,551 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns in 51 games (36 starts) since being selected out of Ohio State by the Seahawks with the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase, 25, is the highest-paid wide receiver in terms of annual salary at $40.25 million. He signed a four-year, $161 million contract extension last March.

–Field Level Media

Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb added to Pro Bowl roster

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb replaced Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba on Wednesday on the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster.

Lamb will be considered a Pro Bowler for the fifth straight season. He will join fellow Cowboys wideouts George Pickens and KaVontae Turpin on the roster, however the latter is listed as a return specialist.

Lamb, 26, had 75 catches for 1,077 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (13 starts) this season.

Smith-Njigba, a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his third season, will lead the Seahawks into Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif.

–Field Level Media

Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on stage after being selected by the Seattle Seahawks twentieth overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba to have wrist surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Seattle Seahawks rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will undergo surgery on his wrist Tuesday but still could be available for the start of the regular season, ESPN reported.

Per the report, the Seahawks will determine the expected recovery time for their first-round draft pick following his surgery in Philadelphia.

Smith-Njigba sustained the injury while reeling in a 48-yard catch during the second quarter of Saturday’s 22-14 preseason victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

The Seahawks selected Smith-Njigba with the 20th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Smith-Njigba, 21, missed the majority of last season with Ohio State due to a hamstring injury. The preseason All-American sustained that injury in the season opener and played just parts of two games after that.

He had been poised to have a big season for the Buckeyes after catching 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2022. He finished the 2021 campaign with a Big Ten-record 1,606 yards receiving and nine TDs.

–Field Level Media

Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on stage after being selected by the Seattle Seahawks twentieth overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Seahawks sign first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed his four-year rookie contract, NFL Network reported on Thursday.

All contracts involving first-round selections include a fifth-year team option.

Smith-Njigba, who was taken with the 20th overall pick, becomes the second first-round selection of the 2023 NFL Draft to sign a contract. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, the No. 9 pick, agreed to terms last Thursday.

Smith-Njigba, 21, missed the majority of last season with Ohio State due to a hamstring injury. The preseason All-American sustained the injury in the season opener and played just parts of two games after that.

Smith-Njigba was poised to have a big season after catching 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s Rose Bowl. He finished 2021 with a Big Ten-record 1,606 yards receiving to go along with nine touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Sep 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs on the sideline after taking a hard hit during the NCAA football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba declares for draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba declared for the NFL draft on Monday after he was ruled out of the College Football Playoff with the hamstring injury that sidelined him for most of the season.

The preseason All-American sustained the injury in the season opener and played just parts of two games after that.

“I want to be out there competing with my brothers more than anything,” Smith-Njigba told ESPN on Monday. “The decision to turn pro was made after I was unable to come back on multiple occasions during the season and the doctors determined I would be unable to participate in the playoffs.”

Smith-Njiba was poised to have a big season after catching 15 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s Rose Bowl. He finished 2021 with 1,606 yards receiving, a Big Ten record.

“I want to thank Jaxon for all he has done for our Ohio State program,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said in a statement. “He has had such a major impact here in Columbus, on and off the field, in a relatively short period of time. We all know he has a very bright future ahead of him and we all support him as he moves forward with his career.”

Ohio State, the No. 4 seed, will play top-ranked Georgia in the Peach Bowl, a CFP semifinal, on Dec. 31.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs for a 7-yard touchdown past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Tyler Elsdon (43) and linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) during the fourth quarter of the NCAA Division I football game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch Ncaa Football Ohio State Buckeyes At Penn State Nittany Lions

Offensive stars out for Ohio State at Northwestern

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No. 2 Ohio State will be without two of its offensive stars Saturday at Northwestern, with running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba sidelined by injuries.

Henderson has battled a left foot injury throughout the season, and perhaps coach Ryan Day is giving him a rest against the Wildcats (1-7, 1-4 Big Ten). He leads the Buckeyes with 552 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

He scored the go-ahead touchdown last week at Penn State on a 41-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Smith-Njigba sustained a hamstring injury in the season opener against Notre Dame and has missed five games for the Buckeyes (8-0, 5-0). In limited action in three games in 2022, he has caught five passes for 43 yards.

Last season, he set a Big Ten record for receiving yards with 1,606. His 95 catches also were an Ohio State record and the fifth most in Big Ten history. He also set Rose Bowl records with 347 receiving yards on 15 catches — three of them for touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba fends off Utah cornerback Micah Bernard as he races to the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the 2022 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. 2022-08-23-smith-njigba

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (hamstring) out again for No. 2 Ohio State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State will be without star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba again on Saturday when the No. 2 Buckeyes meet No. 13 Penn State on the road.

Smith-Njigba, a preseason All-American, has been plagued by a hamstring injury sustained in the opening game of the season against Notre Dame.

He has played in just parts of three games in 2022, catching five passes for 43 yards.

Big things were expected from Smith-Njigba this season after a stellar 2021, in which he set a Big Ten record for receiving yards with 1,606. His 95 catches also were an Ohio State record and the fifth most in Big Ten history. He also set Rose Bowl records with 347 receiving yards on 15 catches — three of them for touchdowns.

Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. have emerged as the top targets for quarterback C.J. Stroud in Smith-Njigba’s absence.

Egbuka has 41 catches for 735 yards and seven touchdowns, while Harrison has caught 38 passes for 598 yards and 10 scores.

–Field Level Media

Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba fends off Utah cornerback Micah Bernard as he races to the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the 2022 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. 2022-08-23-smith-njigba

Ohio St. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba could be limited vs. Penn St.

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba could be kept on a plays limit when the No. 2 Buckeyes hit the road to face No. 13 Penn State on Saturday.

A third-team All-American last season, Smith-Njigba injured his hamstring in the Buckeyes’ Week 1 game against Notre Dame. He saw limited action against Toledo on Sept. 17 and then missed three games before returning last Saturday in Ohio State’s 54-10 win over Iowa.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Tuesday that Smith-Njigba was on a limit of about 20 plays for the Iowa game and he may not be ready for full, unmonitored action against the Nittany Lions.

“We have such great people in sports medicine and our doctors,” Day told reporters. “There’s been a very specific plan on how to get him back to playing. Number of total yards per day, number of high-speed yards per day and then, after each practice, evaluating the range of motion and strength. We’re just kind of following that lead.

“It’s way over my head. … We’re just relying on the doctors to give us the information and we just go from there.”

Smith-Njigba has five receptions for 43 yards this year. In 2021 he hauled in 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns.

–Field Level Media