Seattle Seahawks great Marshawn Lynch believes Jaxon Smith-Njigba is already one of the top wide receivers in the game.
The 23-year-old receiver has started out the 2025 season with a bang with back-to-back 100-yard games.
The third-year receiver is coming off of his first Pro Bowl bid, posting 100 receptions (ninth best in the NFL) for 1,130 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season, establishing himself as the Seahawks’ No. 1 receiver.
His performance eased the Seahawks into parting ways with their former top wide receiver, DK Metcalf. Metcalf was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason.
Smith-Njigba’s 17 receptions and 227 receiving yards to start out the season ranks him second in the NFL in both categories, and Lynch believes he deserves to be in the discussion among the league’s best pass-catchers.
“He’s already putting himself in those conversations,” Lynch told The Escapist in an exclusive interview. “You get a little bit more seasoning on him, and then it will be undeniable.”
The five-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion hosts a podcast with former Seahawks teammate Michael Robinson called “Da Get Got Pod.” He often features many prominent Seahawks players on the show and he has featured Smith-Njigba recently.
Lynch raves over Smith-Njigba’s potential.
“I like where he’s going considering he’s still young,” Lynch said. “When it clicks for him as a true professional, he’s going to be something to deal with, because he’s already a problem now. When you step into that arena and you can play that game in slow motion physically and mentally, that’s how you separate yourself.”
Lynch says that while Smith-Njigba is off to a hot start this season, he already established himself as one of the top wide receivers last year.
“Well s—, if you just look at the numbers, the numbers prove that,” says Lynch of Smith-Njigba.
While Lynch has a point, it’s worth noting that Smith-Njigba was not voted among the NFL’s Top 100 players by his peers this year. If he continues this start to the season, players and observers won’t have any choice but to acknowledge him among the NFL’s elite.
When asked about Smith-Njigba’s best trait, Lynch lauded the Ohio State product’s ability to separate.
“Right now, it’s his ability to get open,” Lynch said.
Lynch: Bills Have ‘Right Pieces,’ But Playoffs Still The Proving Ground
While everyone remembers Lynch for his memorable for his six seasons spent with the Seahawks, Lynch actually began his career as a first-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are off to a hot start this year, going 2-0 with a huge come-from-behind win over the Baltimore Ravens in the season opener.
The Bills are currently the second-most favored team to win Super Bowl LX, behind the Ravens. However, it’s worth noting the Bills defeated the Ravens in the playoffs last year.
When asked if the Bills are lined up well to potentially win a Super Bowl for the first time, Lynch says they have the “right pieces.” Buffalo’s Achilles heel has been the Kansas City Chiefs, who they’ve gone 0-4 against in the playoffs in the Josh Allen/Patrick Mahomes era.
“They got all the right pieces,” says Lynch. “They have to put it together in the playoffs.”
Lynch: No Interest In Joining Rigid Studio Show
Lynch’s podcast has over 183K followers on YouTube. The Oakland native also makes appearances during Amazon NFL on Prime video’s coverage as an on-screen talent where he explores different locations as part of his segment, “N Yo’ City.”
The Seahawks great is able to show off his trademark, high-energy, expletive-filled personality on his podcast. It’s a big reason why he has no interest in being involved in a studio for NFL coverage. Lynch loves his current roles and very much enjoys doing his podcast because of the freedom it provides him.
“I’m good where I’m at,” says Lynch when asked if he desires a future working in a studio for NFL games. “I like what I got going on. I have the freedom to move around the way that I like to. It just helps me staying in the game without actually having to be in the game.”
Last Updated On: Sep 18, 2025 4:33 pm CEST