"I didn’t think he’d be as good as he is": 49ers DC Robert Saleh gives clear verdict on Jaxon Smith-Njigba ahead of Seahawks game for NFC 1 seed

Robert Saleh is well aware of what Jaxon Smith-Njigba brings to the Seattle Seahawks offense. Seattle moved on from DK Metcalf in the offseason, which was the only hint fans and other teams received about the talented receiver.

Fast-forward to arguably the biggest game left in the regular season, and Saleh will be tasked with minimizing the wide receiver. He didn't think he'd be dealing with as great a challenge with Smith-Njigba as he now has, however. In a press conference clip posted on X via a 49ers fan news account on Wednesday, Saleh admigged he was wrong about the receiver.

“It is a challenge," Saleh admitted. "What does he have, 120 catches and 1700 yards or something like that? He’s had success against every team that he’s played against this year. He is elite in that regard.

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Coming out of the draft, I’ll put my hand up; I didn’t think he’d be as good as he is. He’s freaking unbelievable. Just a super talented kid. Great body control. Great strength at the catch point. He can go up and get it so he's a challenge for anybody in man coverage.”

In the first 49ers-Seahawks matchup, the star hauled in nine catches for 124 yards, including a 40-yard catch. This time around, Saleh will hope to keep the receiver in check, although he did manage to keep the young receiver out of the end zone the first time around on Sept. 7.

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba in range to triple significant rookie season production in 2025

Jaxon Smith-Nijgba at Los Angeles Rams v Seattle Seahawks - NFL 2025 - Source: Getty

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is in the midst of the best season by a wide receiver in the NFC West since Cooper Kupp's 2021 breakout. Heading into Week 18, the Seattle Seahawks star has tallied 113 catches for 1,709 yards and ten touchdowns, posting career-bests across the board.

However, the receiver is in range to do something special in Week 18 in a must-win game. With 175 yards and two touchdowns, the receiver would triple his receiving yards and touchdowns from his rookie season, when he earned 628 yards and four touchdowns through the air.

While quite a high mark, the 49ers defense is coming off a game in which Luther Burden III earned 138 yards and a touchdown. A similar struggle against the Seahawks receiver risks putting him in range. Will Jaxon Smith-Njigba have his best game of the season at the biggest moment yet?

Edited by Ian Van Roy