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Jaxon Smith-Njigba Announces Retirement From Unexpected Role After Pro Bowl

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Borba | Last updated Feb 3, 2025 5:00 PM ET

For the first time in his young NFL career, Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was selected to the Pro Bowl.

He was a late addition after he was tabbed to replace Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Smith-Njigba deserved to be included, considering he posted a franchise record of 100 regular-season catches in 2024.

However, he didn't quite have the game he would have liked and made an unfortunate error that may follow him for the rest of his career. In the flag football game between the NFC and AFC, Smith-Njigba's NFC squad was up 76-57, so head coach Eli Manning gave him a chance to play some quarterback.

After taking a snap from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, Smith-Njigba floated a pass over the middle of the field, which was picked off by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who returned it for a touchdown.

JSN in at QB and this is the result

: #ProBowlGames on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/e4Xi7SvUxm
— NFL (@NFL) February 2, 2025

The pick may have ended Smith-Njigba's hopes of ever being called upon to throw in a real game, and it also led to him announcing his retirement on social media. Well, kind of.

"I have officially retired," wrote Smith-Njigba.

Who, in a separate post, replied to himself saying, "From trying to play QB ."

Luckily for him, it wasn't all bad, as he scored a 46-yard touchdown earlier in the game. His team also held on to win by a score of 76-63.

In just two NFL seasons, Smith-Njigba has racked up 163 catches for 1,758 yards and 10 touchdowns. It's evident that the 2023 first-round pick out of Ohio State has a bright future in the NFL, just not when it comes to throwing the ball.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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