SEATTLE — Jaxon Smith-Njigba is just 23 years old, but he enters the 2025 Seahawks season as the new face of a wide receiver room that saw a lot of turnover this spring.

With Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf departing after lengthy tenures, Smith-Njigba said he is more than ready to assert himself as an authority in the offensive huddle.

"1,000%," Smith-Njigba told KING 5's Paul Silvi in an exclusive interview ahead of training camp. "It's a role that you know I work every day. You know to be a leader and for you know guys to follow, I want the team to know that I'm gonna be ready when those moments and moments that they need me."

The Seahawks' choice to trade Metcalf and let Lockett leave in free agency was in part an endorsement of Smith-Njigba's ability to be the No. 1 receiver in Seattle. Cooper Kupp was signed this offseason, but the 32-year-old's production has consistently declined in the past three years.

Geno Smith was traded this offseason to the Las Vegas Raiders. Former top-five draft pick Sam Darnold is coming in as the new presumed starting quarterback.

A new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, joins the fold as well after a one-year experiment with former University of Washington playcaller Ryan Grubb in 2024. 

Smith-Njigba will be one of the only returning faces on the offensive side of the ball in 2025 and will be counted on to help the group gel in training camp and the preseason.

Luckily for Seahawks fans, No. 11 seems to be up to the task and eager for the opportunity.