Smith-Njigba signed a monster contract this offseason, and the Seahawks know the value JSN brings to the entire organization.
The Seattle Seahawks' offseason hasn't been marked by big-time free-agent signings for the Super Bowl champs; instead, it has been rather calm.
But that was part of the plan.
The Seahawks saw a host of key players move on, which isn't ideal, but the franchise also got one deal done that likely puts any ill feelings about free agency aside.
Seattle signed All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a monster four-year, $168.4 million deal to keep him in the NFC West for the foreseeable future.
One of Seattle's best weapons stays with Mike Macdonald.
And you can bet Macdonald is excited to have JSN sticking around.
“One of the great things that paints a great picture about what Jax means to us, being a foundational piece of our football team and our organization, is we’ve got a full house here,” Macdonald said.
“This is pretty awesome. I just want to emphasize how excited we are. He’s going to be here and he’s a foundational piece, he’s a cornerstone of our team."
In his three years in the league, Smith-Njigba has been steadily progressing toward elite status.
His rookie season saw him post 628 yards and 4 TDS from 63 receptions, only to follow that up with a 1,130-yard, 6 TD season in 2024.
But last season? JSN exploded.
He totaled 1,793 yards and 10 TDs from 119 receptions to earn his first All-Pro nod as the Seahawks won the Super Bowl.
And Macdonald has watched JSN grow before his eyes.
"Just being able to see his growth over the two years that we’ve been here," Macdonald added. "The sky’s the limit. This is the beginning. This is another iteration of our football team, and Jax is obviously going to be a huge part of it and where we want to go and where we want to take our team.
"I know it’s early in his career, but he’s already a leader on our team and will be for a long time. So we’re really excited.”
So the challenge ahead of Smith-Njigba now is to maintain this standard for the next handful of years.
No, I don't mean 1,700 yards every year, but be the main weapon Seattle can rely on week in, week out. After all, that's what they are paying him for.
A foundational piece? You couldn't find a better one for Seattle.