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JSN's Delayed Bloom: Patience Pays Off for Seahawks

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, March 29th 2026 at 16:05 GMT by Sporting News
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Seattle, WA - March 29, 2026 - Two years after being selected ninth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN) is finally beginning to blossom into the player many projected him to be. However, the road to consistent impact wasn't immediate, and early expectations proved to be a significant weight for the young receiver. Back in 2023, even a seasoned veteran like former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman predicted a gradual development, a sentiment that resonated with fans and analysts alike.

Sherman, speaking on the Rich Eisen Show shortly after the 2023 season began, offered a refreshingly honest assessment of Smith-Njigba's initial performance. He cautioned against demanding instant success from a rookie, particularly one entering a crowded receiver room. His words, echoing now in 2026, proved remarkably prescient.

"I think people are asking a lot of him, honestly," Sherman stated in the original 2023 interview. "He's a rookie. I don't think he's necessarily struggled, but I don't think he's had the breakout game that people were expecting."

At the time, Smith-Njigba's numbers were modest - 12 receptions for 113 yards across his first seven games. While not abysmal, they certainly didn't reflect the hype surrounding a first-round pick. The situation was complex. The Seahawks boasted established stars in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, both consistently demanding targets from quarterback Geno Smith. Furthermore, Seattle's offensive scheme often utilized a variety of personnel groupings, spreading the ball across multiple receivers.

Looking back, this distribution of targets, while perhaps limiting JSN's initial volume, was arguably beneficial in the long run. It allowed him to learn the nuances of the NFL game without being the focal point of opposing defenses. Smith-Njigba was able to hone his route running, refine his technique, and build chemistry with Smith at a more measured pace.

Sherman, having spent seven seasons as a cornerstone of the Seahawks' defense, understood this dynamic intimately. He recognized that rookies, regardless of their draft status, require time to adapt to the speed and complexity of the professional game. "He's still learning the playbook, learning the route adjustments, learning how to get off the line. Those things take time," Sherman explained. "So, I'm not worried about JSN. I think he's going to be fine. I think he's going to continue to develop and improve."

And improve he has. By the end of the 2024 season, Smith-Njigba was consistently exceeding 700 receiving yards, and is currently projected to surpass 1,200 yards in the 2026 season. He's become a reliable third option for Smith, and a dangerous deep threat.

The Seahawks' patience with Smith-Njigba contrasts sharply with some other teams who have prematurely labeled first-round receivers as "busts" after a single underwhelming season. Seattle allowed JSN to grow organically, focusing on incremental progress rather than immediate statistical output. This approach, championed by figures like Sherman who understood the realities of rookie development, ultimately paid dividends.

Sherman's final point in 2023 remains a crucial takeaway for evaluating young NFL players: "Rookies take time. You don't expect a rookie to come in and be a Pro Bowler. You expect them to get better throughout the year. That's what you evaluate them on. Not just what they do in the first few games."

Now, in 2026, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is proving that Sherman's faith was well-placed. He's not just a promising prospect anymore; he's a key component of a Seahawks offense aiming for another Super Bowl run. The lesson from his early struggles is clear: in the NFL, patience and measured development are often the most valuable assets.