The Seattle Seahawks are beginning a new era this year as Mike Macdonald takes over at head coach after the 14-year tenure of Pete Carroll. There were some cracks in the foundation in recent years, but Carroll was the only coach in Seahawks history to win a Super Bowl and his enthusiastic attitude led to a team that overachieved more often than it disappointed. The Seahawks are looking forward to starting the Macdonald tenure with an explosive offensive unit that includes big plays from wide out Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The talent level the Seahawks will offer on the offensive side of the ball is impressive. In addition to Smith-Njigba, wide receivers Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf are both gamebreakers. The combination of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet is more than strong enough for the Seahawks to deliver a consistent running attack.
If Geno Smith can stay healthy and adapt to life without Carroll, the Seahawks have a very competent trigger man under center. There's every reason to believe that Smith-Njigba will be one of his top producers as the former Ohio State star enters his second year in the NFL.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba needed some time to get started during his rookie season
The start of the 2023 season was something of a disappointment for Smith-Njigba. Not because of his play on the field, but because he suffered an unfortunate fractured wrist in Seattle's second preseason game.
He was able to return to the lineup in time for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, but it took quite a while for Smith-Njigba to hit his stride. He completed the season with respectable numbers that included 63 receptions for 628 yards and 4 touchdowns.
“I felt like it was a good foundation,” Smith-Njigba said. “I can grow from it. A lot of growing pains, a lot of ups and downs, but kind of similar from first years of college and in high school. Kind of the same thing.”
In addition to the injury, Smith-Njigba had to learn what it was to be a supporting player in the offense and not the go-to superstar. Metcalf and Lockett are established receivers, while the running back combination of Walker and Charbonnet gave the Seahawks a tandem that few teams can match.
Macdonald sees big things for Smith-Njigba in 2024
Smith-Njigba has many of the characteristics of a top-flight NFL wide receiver. He has adequate size at 6-0 and 202 pounds that he combines with excellent hands and body control. He can win the battle and high point the ball, and he has wonderful timing when it comes to setting up opposing defensive backs.
As a result of his skills, Macdonald believes that Smith-Njigba will make a major contribution to Seattle's offense.
“He's a guy that we can focus our offense around, along with other guys,” Macdonald said. “Tyler Lockett is still a great player. DK Metcalf, phenomenal player. The runners, (TE) Noah Fant. But he's definitely going to be a massive piece of what we're trying to do offensively.”
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