Seattle Seahawks WRs Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and Cooper Kupp (10), Oct. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Behind the scenes of the Seattle Seahawks’ incredible 14-3 regular season and trek to Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots, a powerful bond has formed within the team’s wide receiver room — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the 23-year-old superstar wide receiver just entering his prime, and Cooper Kupp, the grizzled 32-year-old veteran wideout nearing the end of his career.
Kupp has already been where Smith-Njigba is now: helping lead a team to a Super Bowl appearance after leading the league in receiving yards. Kupp did it with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021-22. Now, in his first season with Seattle, Kupp has had a front-row seat to watch Smith-Njigba repeat history.
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Smith-Njigba knows full well that his record-breaking season, in which he led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards, may not have happened without the example set by Kupp.
“The first day he came (in OTAs), he preached about ‘the process’ — process over results,” Smith-Njigba said of Kupp in a recent story for The Athletic. “And that, honestly, changed my life as a person and as a player. We’re not worried about 200 yards; we’re just worried about play-by-play, and doing our job. I can’t thank him enough.”
It’s clear that the camaraderie between the two receivers runs much deeper than the X’s and O’s of football.
“The friendship has been really special,” Kupp said this week during Super Bowl LX media availability. “I’ve really enjoyed just getting to know the person.”
One of the many connection points between the two has been their shared faith in Christ.
“Trust in [the Lord],” Kupp told Sports Spectrum at Super Bowl LX Opening Night. “Trust Him because He knows what’s best.”
Kupp has dealt with multiple significant injuries throughout his time in the NFL, perhaps most notably a torn left ACL in 2018. He’s also experienced the pain of having been released by the Rams after eight seasons. His release led to the opportunity to sign with Seattle this offseason, and he’s seen God’s hand at work throughout his story.
“Hearing lies and things that are spoken over you and into your life [has been tough],” Kupp said Monday night. “For me, the faith that I have, the belief that I have — I have this belief that the things I was doing were for a greater purpose than myself, and that there was a point behind it. The joy that I felt playing this game — just because it felt like I was just made to do it, and being able to glorify God through that — that is gonna make it all worth it. It sustained me through all the highs and all the lows. Truly wouldn’t be here today without it.
“… The end is written already, and I just need to go out there and glorify God.”
Kupp’s new mentee, Smith-Njigba, was sitting just a short distance away and saying similar things.
“Where I am when I’m low and where I am when I have success, it’s very important how I carry myself,” Smith-Njigba told Sports Spectrum at Super Bowl LX Opening Night. “And who do I give it to? Do I change as a person? I think just staying grounded and giving Him the glory, and understanding that I’m here to serve others. I’m here to serve the Lord.”
Smith-Njigba — who gave “all the glory to God” in a video released on Thursday evening after being named NFL Offensive Player of the Year — made his priorities clear when speaking to the media.
“My faith comes first,” he declared Monday night. “That’s what I stand on. That’s who I am. Everything else is everything else. I’m a follower of Christ, I’m a son, I’m a brother, and then I’m a football player. So that’s what I lead with.
“… Jesus, for me, is everything. This is Who I do it for. I’m here to serve Him and to serve others.”
Four years ago, when Kupp led the NFL in receiving yards and led the Rams to Super Bowl LVI, L.A. finished the deal and beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20. Smith-Njigba has followed in Kupp’s footsteps all year. Will he do so again Sunday night against the Pats? Will history really repeat itself?
“For me to be able to [get to a Super Bowl] at 23, it’s a blessing,” Smith-Njigba said. “I give the glory to God, and I’m gonna take full advantage of this moment.”
Kickoff between the Seahawks and Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, is set for Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
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