Commentary: Can Jaxon Smith-Njigba become Seahawks' No. 1 with DK Metcalf gone?

RENTON, Wash. — Gone is receiver DK Metcalf — the Seahawks' dynamo who not only set single-season franchise records during his time in Seattle, but drew enough attention from defensive backs to open the playing field for all his pass-catching teammates. Gone is fellow receiver Tyler Lockett — the Seahawks Ring of Honor lock who trails only Steve Largent for most receptions in franchise history. And gone is quarterback Geno Smith — the man who earned two Pro Bowl nods in his three years as Seattle's starter, gaining a reputation as one of the NFL's most accurate passers in the process. These aren't the only departures for the Seahawks from last year, but they may be the most critical on offense. Though they led to the signing of QB Sam Darnold and former All-Pro receiver Cooper Kupp, it also cleared the way for one man to have the season of his young career … the kind of season that may be necessary for Seattle to reach the playoffs. Say hello to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Ohio State product who went from serviceable in his rookie season to sizzling in Year 2. The 20th overall pick in the 2023 draft, JSN led all Seahawks in receiving yards last season with 1,130, marking a 502-yard uptick from the previous year. This number comes despite a few of his longer catches being nullified due to penalties having nothing to do with him, but it was still enough to earn him a trip to the Pro Bowl after helping the Seahawks win 10 games. It was tough to tell whether Smith-Njigba was going to pay off as a first-round draft pick after his first season, when he was the clear No. 3 option behind Metcalf and Lockett. Explosive plays were seldom, and he never tallied more than 63 yards in a game. But his second season came with a second wind, when more than half of his games surpassed his rookie high, including a 110-yard performance vs. the 49ers, a 117-yard afternoon vs. the Patriots and a 180-yard day at Lumen Field vs. the Rams. Still, there didn't seem to be any part of him hoping his fellow wideouts would be cut or sent elsewhere. JSN's reaction on X to Metcalf being traded to the Steelers? "Ayooo wtf." That, despite what Phil Dunphy from "Modern Family" might think, does not stand for "why the face?" Friday, Smith-Njigba talked to the media for the first time since losing said teammates. "I miss those guys. Those are two great guys that I call friends," he said, adding that he still communicates with the two "here and there." "It sucks that they're not here with me, but I know they're going to ball out where they're at." But Seahawks fans want to know just how much Smith-Njigba is going to ball out in Seattle. Productive as Kupp — the 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP — has been throughout his career, injuries have slowed him down considerably over the past three seasons. Barring injury or a meteoric rise from one of his teammates, JSN should be Darnold's primary target throughout the season. The question is whether being the main focus will boost his stats and propel the Seahawks to more victories, or whether Metcalf's absence will lead to tighter coverage on Smith-Njigba and a statistical stagnation. You made a huge statistical leap from your first year to your second. Do you have any individual goals this year? "I know if I help my team win, if I go out there and perform at my best and help my team win, all the accolades will come. That's my mindset," Smith-Njigba said. "Deep playoff run, go win us a ring in January and February, playing winter football, is my goal." Smith-Njigba isn't the type to give you a particularly juicy quote. It's not that he is stand-offish. It's not the he isn't accommodating. He just knows that what he puts on film is a whole lot more important than what he puts into a tape recorder. With Klint Kubiak, JSN is on his third offensive coordinator in three years. He has a new quarterback, too. These are adjustments. He knows that. It's why he spent part of the offseason with Darnold in Los Angeles in order to develop "chemistry." But he's more interested in making history. If he shines in his new role as the clear No. 1, he and his teammates may, in time, experience such a thing.