Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s awkward support of the Bears OC Shane Waldron
Was the rookie Seahawks wide receiver only "playing" with the Chicago Bears radio hosts?
On Wednesday, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba found himself on Radio Row in Las Vegas during Super Bowl week, accompanied by his former Ohio State teammate Chris Olave. While chatting with host Mark Carman on CHGO Sports, the topic of discussion shifted to former Seahawks OC and newly appointed Chicago Bears coordinator Shane Waldron. Smith-Njigba’s initial response, or lack thereof, raised eyebrows.
After a moment of silence, he humorously inquired, “This is live?” before quipping, “I’m playing.”
The silence was LOUD when we asked Jaxon Smith-Njigba about new Bears OC Shane Waldron😳 pic.twitter.com/r7beJgxEMq
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) February 7, 2024
Following this initial jest, he offered a genuine response, stating, “Good luck to y’all. He’s a great person, great offensive coordinator. I was very lucky to have him my first year, learned a lot from him. I think him and Justin [Fields] will mesh well.”
Fields, Smith-Njigba’s former quarterback at Ohio State, may soon part ways with the Bears, depending on the team’s upcoming decisions. With Chicago holding the No. 1 overall pick, they could opt for USC’s Caleb Williams as their new starter.
Share of yards from catches 10+ depth downfield (2023 WRs) pic.twitter.com/bOHslcPDrl
— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) February 9, 2023
While Smith-Njigba’s rookie season statistics—63 receptions for 628 yards and 4 touchdowns—reflect solid performance, his relatively low average depth of target (6.1 yards) compared to his college days (9.3 yards) prompts speculation. Despite this, he excelled in yards after catch (YAC), leading all Seahawks receivers in YAC per reception and contributing significantly to the team’s screen game.
As the Seahawks welcome a new offensive coordinator for Smith-Njigba’s second season, there’s anticipation for potential role expansion and a potential climb up the depth chart, possibly even surpassing Tyler Lockett.
Was Smith-Njigba’s radio interview merely banter, or does it hint at something deeper? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
