Jaxon Smith-Njigba
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks speaks to the media during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on February 02, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The offseason is in full swing for NFL players, and Seattle Seahawks star WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is enjoying his time off. The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year was spotted in fighter Michael Chiesa’s corner on Saturday night, standing with him after his win.
It was a fantastic breakout season for Smith-Njigba, who was the best offensive player on a Seahawks team that won the Super Bowl in convincing fashion. After posting 100 receptions for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns in a strong 2024 season, Smith-Njigba had 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns in the regular season alone.
Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Throws Shade at His Rivals During UFC Event
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 25: Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks catches the ball against Roger McCreary #25 of the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
During the big UFC fight night on Saturday, Smith-Njigba was being interviewed on the desk and was asked if there were any cornerbacks he’d played against that he’d love to get a chance to take down in the cage.
“Definitely not Devon Witherspoon,” Smith-Njigba joked when asked which cornerback he’d like to fight in the octagon. “He’s a wild guy. You know, there’s a couple guys out there. Anyone from the LA Rams or the San Francisco 49ers, you know what I’m saying? I’d happily get in the ring with [them].”
“Gosh, I think Leonard Williams would be pretty good,” Smith-Njigba said on which of his teammates would be the best at UFC. “He would take up a lot of space in the octagon, and that’s just a scary dude you really don’t want to see, you know what I’m saying, inside the cage.”
The Seattle Seahawks Might Address Cornerback in the Draft
The Seahawks just won the Super Bowl and as such, don’t have many roster deficiencies. Still, after Riq Woolen departed in free agency, cornerback stands out as probably the biggest need for Seattle.
San Diego State’s Chris Johnson is a prospect that’s been connected to the Seahawks, and there’s a good chance he’ll be available when Seattle picks at No. 32. Johnson was PFF’s highest-graded cornerback in 2025 and he had fantastic performances at both the Senior Bowl and the Scouting Combine. He projects as an excellent fit in Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald’s system, too.
Two other cornerbacks I’m really high on are Texas’ Malik Muhammad and Georgia’s Daylen Everette. I have first-round grades on both, but either one could certainly be available where the Seahawks are picking in the second round. Muhammad played a lot of off zone coverage for the Longhorns, but he’s big and physical with great ball skills and fluidity in space that makes him an ideal fit for press coverage, too.
Meanwhile, Everette’s tape at Georgia was a bit up and down at times, but he started to put it together towards the tail end of this past season. He was electric at the Combine, proving his real, translatable athleticism and twitchy burst that makes him such a dangerous player.
Any of those prospects would be excellent additions for the Seahawks.