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Jaxon Smith-Njigba Becomes the Face of the Seahawks As Offseason Changes Raise Questions

A one-season AP gold-shield, a big contract and an ESPY nod have made Smith-Njigba the team’s public centerpiece as Seattle adapts to coaching and roster turnover.

Overview

  • Late June coverage confirmed that Jaxon Smith-Njigba will wear the one-season gold AP shield for winning Offensive Player of the Year and that he is an ESPY nominee for Best NFL Player.
  • The Seahawks signed Smith-Njigba to a four-year extension reported around $168.6–168.8 million, a deal that made him the highest-paid receiver by annual average at the time.
  • Seattle is campaigning publicly as the defending Super Bowl champions and the team itself was nominated for the ESPY Best Team Award.
  • Offseason moves have altered the offense: Klint Kubiak left and Brian Fleury is the new offensive coordinator, Kenneth Walker III departed in free agency, and rookie Jadarian Price figures into the backfield plans.
  • Those changes, plus increased defensive focus and fantasy projections that downgrade his 2026 numbers slightly, leave open the question of whether Smith-Njigba can match his 2025 production as training camp and the July 15 ESPYs approach.