Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba makes bold Ohio State claim after breakthrough season

JSN says OSU is WRU.

Move over, LSU. Alabama, too.

Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said that there is no debate now that his alma mater, Ohio State, deserves the title of Wide Receiver University after his breakthrough season leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards.

Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba speaks during a NFL Super Bowl news conference on Feb. 3, 2026. AP

“It’s a long list and it’s about to grow even more,” Smith-Njigba said ahead of Super Bowl LX. “It’s just too much elite talent from top to bottom in the league, and guys that were in the league past years. So I think when you bring it all together and you look at the names and what we’ve done, I think there’s no question now.”

Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka would agree. Especially with Carnell Tate (2026) and Jeremiah Smith (2027) on the way.

Malik Nabers, Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase (LSU) might take issue. The same goes for Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith and Jerry Jeudy (Alabama).

Smith-Njigba reminds at least one former NFL head coach of Harrison’s father — Colts great and Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr.

“That’s about the highest compliment I can give,” Jason Garrett said. “What a remarkable player he was. If you think about quickness, speed, transition in and out of breaks, change of direction, balance and body control, they are remarkably similar. Then JSN can go inside the slot and run routes. He doesn’t have great stature, but he catches a lot of balls down the field because he’s that much more open than everyone else. Elite football IQ.”

Garrett backs Saleh

Garrett, who last coached as Giants offensive coordinator in 2021, interviewed last month for the Titans head coach position that went to former Jets coach Robert Saleh.

Saleh hired former Giants coach Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator.

“I think they will do a great job,” Garrett said. “Robert is deserved of another opportunity. I like [Cam Ward] a lot. Excellent athleticism, arm talent, but everybody I’ve talked to who have known him since high school love what he’s all about and his work ethic. I think they have the right [quarterback] there and they just have to surround him with a good group of people.”

Holy Hall

Mike Vrabel was barely done reacting to former Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub when he was asked Tuesday about Patriots owner Robert Kraft reportedly missing out too.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to the media during Super Bowl LX press conference at Santa Clara Marriott. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“I would just say that that’s unfortunate,” Vrabel said. “In my experiences with Robert, he’s more than deserving and he’ll be in the Hall of Fame. I’m not in charge of deciding when that happens. I appreciate the relationship that I’ve had with him, the success as a player and now as a coach. He’s done everything that we’ve needed, and provided the support we’ve needed as a staff and as a team.”

Football first

Paternity leave in the NFL is a hot topic after it was reported that recently fired Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took two weeks off following the birth of his child over the summer. It was compared to Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald saying he sees his 1-year-old son for 30 minutes per week.

What does Vrabel expect from his assistants in work-life balance?

“Well, I don’t think there’s ever a time to stop thinking about football,” Vrabel said. “We do everything that we possibly can to support the people in our building on and off the field.”

Injury report

The Seahawks activated LB Chazz Surratt from injured reserve and placed offensive tackle Amari Knight on IR. Surratt was a special teams mainstay before suffering an ankle injury in his 11th game.

— Brian Costello contributed to this report