Former Ohio State star Jaxon Smith-Njigba showed that he is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and on Monday, he was rewarded as such.
Former Ohio State star Jaxons Smith-Njigba cashed out in a major way on Monday.
The Seattle Seahawks' No. 1 wide receiver made it official on Monday when he signed a four-year, $168.8 million contract with the reigning Super Bowl Champions. His massive deal makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.
This record-setting contract extension came after JSN proved to the NFL that he is one of the five best pass catchers in the league. He also proved that he is the kind of talent that, when he is on your roster, your team can win the Super Bowl.
Smith-Njigba put up video game numbers in 2025. He had 119 catches for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. He ranked fourth in catches, first in yards, while being middle of the pack in touchdowns.
He registered 11 games of 10 catches or more, which coincided with 10 games of over 100 yards receiving. He was unstoppable and is just the latest feather in the cap for Ohio State, claiming that they are, in fact, Wide Receiver University.
JSN is just next in the line of great receivers that have come through Columbus. In the league, the Buckeyes are everywhere, both young and old.
Terry McLaurin is the veteran Buckeye out in Washington, while Chris Olave in New Orleans and Garrett Wilson in New York are approaching veteran status. The rest of the youngsters, such as Marvin Harrison Jr and Emeka Egbuka, are still finding their way to continue to pave the path for Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith to take the baton.
If it was in question still, it is out of the question now. It is very simple that if you want to make a ton of money in the NFL at the wide receiver position, you play for the Buckeyes and you play for Brian Hartline.
The question that remains in Columbus is just that. Can Ryan Day and the incumbent staff take over where Hartline left off, or did he have the magic stuff?
We will all find out come the fall, but the crop in Columbus is still as strong as ever. Smith will continue to uphold the standard until he passes the torch to Chris Henry Jr. and the rest of the up-and-coming Buckeye wide receivers.
If they continue to meet the standard, then one day soon they will reset Jaxon Smith-Njigba's record-setting contract and get their very own bag.
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