We’re all waiting for what we think is inevitable, the breakout of former Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the Seattle Seahawks. However, so far, that hasn’t quite happened for the first round draft pick through the first few games of his rookie season.
To date, through three games, Smith-Njigba has just nine receptions for 57 yards (6.3 avg.) with no touchdowns. It’s a stark contrast to the buzz he was receiving in some plays and route-running he made during preseason camp.
But there’s one guy that still believes Smith-Njigba is going to make a big impression this year, and that’s quarterback Geno Smith. In the latest episode of the Inside the NFL on the CW Network, Smith spoke highly of Smith-Njigba and gave him a vote of confidence.
“One of those things where I just noticed on the sideline he was kinda down about it (his lack of production so far),” Smith told host Ryan Clark. “And obviously we got a bunch of talent on this team and there’s only one football. And I want to get Jaxon the ball as much as possible. But it just hasn’t turned out that way so far. I just wanted him to keep his head in the game. I know how hard he works. I know how prepared he is to go out there and make plays. The ball has just not found him yet.
Smith went on to explain how sometimes things just don’t quite align but that doesn’t mean that things aren’t going to hit at some point. He just wants Smith-Njigba to keep plugging away while Smith continues to look for him.
“But that’s my job. I didn’t want him to worry about any of that. Just doing his job, running great routes,” Smith continued. “And trusting that I’ll get him the football. We got young guys that are so talented and they got such high expectations. Sometimes that can weigh on you. I know what that is like. I have been through it. I just wanted to talk to him and let him know that I trust him, I believe in him and there will come a time where he’s going to have to make a big play for us.
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For now, we have little doubt that Smith-Njigba will get things cranked up as the season moves along.
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