In March, the Seattle Seahawks decided to trade DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and ahead of the 2025 NFL season, one player will be counted on to help replace the 27-year-old’s production.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is entering Year 3 with the Seahawks, and the franchise is now expecting the 23-year-old to become their new No. 1 receiver for quarterback Sam Darnold.
Last season, Smith-Njigba took a significant step in his second NFL campaign, recording 100 receptions, 1,130 receiving yards, and six touchdowns while playing 17 games. This spike in production from his rookie season to season No. 2 probably led the Seahawks to deal Metcalf.
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak joined “Bump and Stacy” to state that the Ohio State product can be Seattle’s No. 1 receiver and fill the void that Metcalf left behind.
“JSN was unbelievably productive from the slot,” Solak said (h/t Seattle Sports). “In fact, it was one of the most productive slot receiver seasons we’ve seen since 2021. Is JSN ever going to be that paragon that comes to our mind, the image we conjure up, of Calvin Johnson and Andre Johnson and Justin Jefferson, the bigger guys who win on the outside down the field? It’s just not where his bread is buttered.
“So you need an OC who’s willing to work around that. But if you’re asking me can he be a 120-reception, 1,300-yard player? Yeah, he absolutely can be.”
Smith-Njigba will have a challenging task going from the No. 2 guy to the No. 1 and not having Metcalf be the other receiver that defensive coordinators stay up late planning to shut down. Metcalf spent six years in Seattle, recording 438 receptions, 6,324 receiving yards, and 48 touchdowns.
It will be interesting to see how Metcalf and Smith-Njigba adapt to their new situations this upcoming season. Both players will adjust to new quarterbacks as Metcalf will have Aaron Rodgers while Smith-Njigba has Darnold.
