Seahawks receiver Smith-Njigba miffed at receiving NFL defensive player of year trophy: ‘Just keep it’
Jaxon Smith-Njigba won the Super Bowl with the Seahawks last season. Photograph: Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty ImagesJaxon Smith-Njigba has built a justified reputation as one of the most electrifying receivers in the NFL. So it was understandable that the Seahawks star was surprised when he received a trophy for the league's defensive player of the year.
Smith-Njigba actually won the NFL's offensive player of the year after setting franchise records with 119 receptions and 1,793 receiving yards last season. But when he received his trophy the engraving read Defensive Player of TheYear".
I really want to expose them. It's getting disrespectful, guys," Smith-Njigba said in an Instagram video.
Smith-Njigba, who made three tackles last season, noted the word Defensive," saying, Defense? Come on, bro."
He then pointed to TheYear" and said, One word? Man."
The 24-year-old said he was considering returning the trophy. Just keep the award at this point," Smith-Njigba wrote in a caption. Leave it in the history books, tho".
Smith-Njigba signed a four-year, $168.6m contract extension this offseason after his stellar 2025 campaign, which culminated in the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl.