New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis has shared insights into how the team plans to defend against the Seahawks’ standout receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, during Super Bowl LX. Davis indicated that fellow cornerback Christian Gonzalez will be tasked with shadowing Smith-Njigba, who recently earned the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year title after a remarkable season leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
In a conversation with Tyler Dunne from Go Long, Davis elaborated on the strategy, noting, “We’re going to have Gonzo follow him. Obviously, he’ll motion, and I’ll probably see him a couple of times.” This matchup poses a significant challenge for Gonzalez, given Smith-Njigba’s performance, including a standout game in the NFC Championship where he recorded 10 catches for 152 yards and a touchdown.
Although Gonzalez hasn’t faced many top-tier receivers this season, he has demonstrated his capability to cover elite talent throughout his three-year career. For example, he limited Bengals receiver Tee Higgins to just two receptions for four yards earlier this season. In addition, he held Pro Bowler Zay Flowers to three catches for 38 yards during a Week 16 matchup against the Ravens.
Davis also recalled his experiences facing elite receivers, having previously lined up against Tyreek Hill in Super Bowl LV. While he acknowledged the challenges the Seahawks present, he distinguished them by suggesting their offense isn’t quite as explosive as the Chiefs’ triumphant offense from 2020. “That Chiefs team was one of the greatest offenses ever in the sport,” Davis remarked, while still recognizing the talents of the Seahawks. This season, they ranked third in scoring and eighth in yards, fueled by quarterback Sam Darnold, running back Kenneth Walker, and dynamic receivers Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed.
Smith-Njigba’s contributions have been vital to the Seahawks, as he accounted for approximately 45 percent of the team’s receiving yards this season. Nevertheless, Davis expressed confidence in Gonzalez’s ability to contain him. “He’s a real cool, calm, collected kind of guy,” Davis praised.
Statistically, Gonzalez has had a strong season, allowing 35 receptions on 76 targets with a completion percentage of 46.1, totaling 357 yards and a touchdown. He has continued to shine in the postseason, allowing only 10 receptions on 25 targets for 125 yards and an interception.
Both Gonzalez and Smith-Njigba are expected to be key players in Super Bowl LX, and ESPN NFL expert Ben Solak highlighted their matchup as the most critical one-on-one battle. Gonzalez acknowledged Smith-Njigba’s skills, stating, “He can do everything from every spot on the field,” and expressed his excitement for the challenge that lies ahead on Sunday.
With both players performing at a high level, their confrontation is anticipated to be a pivotal aspect of the game, adding an exciting dynamic to the Super Bowl showdown.