Don't let Jaxon Smith-Njigba's seemingly laid-back demeanor fool you. The guy knows how to react to breaking news, and he knows what some breaking news could mean to the team he plays for, the Seattle Seahawks. When news broke about Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, he reacted as any 12 might. The news was surprising for fans and players alike.
During the first week of free agency, JSN learned that the team signed wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but MVS is no WR2. Seattle needed more help and needed other higher-quality receivers in order to take the pressure off Smith-Njigba beginning in 2025. He couldn't be the only consistently reliable receiver or Seattle's offense would be doomed.
After news broke on Friday that the Seahawks had signed veteran Cooper Kupp, JSN was as excited as any Seahawks fan. The receiver likely knew several things were afoot. One is that Kupp would allow Smith-Njigba to see more open targets, as opposing defenses could not key only on JSN.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has classic response to Seahawks reportedly signing wide receiver Cooper Kupp
Another was that Seattle signing Kupp meant the wide receiver would not return to the Los Angeles Rams and that could weaken Seattle's NFC West rival. Kupp has been an effective and sneaky destructive wideout for LA for eight years. Has he been oft-injured? Yes, but when he is healthy, he is one of the most reliable receivers in the league.
So, when Smith-Njigba tweeted immediately after the Kupp news broke, saying, "Cooooooooooooppppp," he basically put into one word what most Seahawks fans were thinking. Kupp was coming back to his home state of Washington, and he was going to certainly make the Seahawks a better team next year.
Cooooooooooooppppp
— JSN (@jaxon_smith1) March 14, 2025
Kupp is also a perfect fit in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's offense. He will be a possession receiver who can help quarterback Sam Darnold and the rest of the offense to pick up first downs and control time of possession. He can also break off the occasional explosive play, just enough to keep defenses guessing as to what is coming next.
Is the Seahawks top-three receiver trio of JSN, Valdes-Scantling, and Kupp in 2025 as good as 2024's JSN, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett? Maybe not, but the trio might be a better fit in the new offensive scheme. Whatever is needed to help the Seahawks win more games is the best thing, right?
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