Young and Smith-Njigba Named Employees of the Week
The two standout players were honored following impressive three-touchdown performances in Week 2 victories.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Football
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Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski have named Bryce Young and Jaxon Smith-Njigba the Employees of the Week. Both athletes recorded three touchdowns during their respective victories in Week 2.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the rapid development and pivotal contributions of these players during a critical stretch of the season. Their performances provided necessary momentum for their teams as they navigate early-season challenges.
Bryce Young completed 23 of 36 passes for 287 yards in a 34-3 win, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba recorded nine catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-7 victory.
The players
Bryce Young
He is a professional quarterback currently playing for the Carolina Panthers.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
He is a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks who achieved a career-first three-touchdown game.
Julian Edelman
He is a former professional wide receiver who now serves as an analyst and media personality.
Rob Gronkowski
He is a former professional tight end and current television sports analyst.
Dave Canales
He serves as the head coach for the Carolina Panthers professional football team.
The details
Bryce Young, who was previously benched in favor of Andy Dalton during the 2024 season, led the Carolina Panthers to a dominant 34-3 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith-Njigba hauled in three touchdown passes from quarterback Drew Lock as the Seattle Seahawks secured their 12th consecutive win by defeating the Arizona Cardinals 31-7.
Timeline
During the 2024 season, head coach Dave Canales benched Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton.
In Week 1, Bryce Young threw for 361 yards against the Chicago Bears.
In Week 2, Bryce Young and Jaxon Smith-Njigba were named Employees of the Week.
In Week 3, Bryce Young and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will play their next games.
Season Trajectory
These standout performances reshape the offensive outlook for the Panthers and Seahawks, potentially altering the playoff picture as these teams look to build on recent momentum. The rapid improvement of these key playmakers challenges previous assumptions about their teams' competitive ceilings for the remainder of the year.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba's three-touchdown performance provides a massive boost for fantasy owners who have struggled with his output in previous weeks. Meanwhile, Bryce Young's efficiency shift significantly alters the projected offensive reliability for Carolina's upcoming schedule.
The takeaway
These awards emphasize that early-season form is highly fluid and subject to change based on tactical adjustments. Readers should look for players demonstrating similar efficiency gains to identify potential breakout stars for their own league analysis.
What happens next
Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers face the Cleveland Browns in Week 3, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Seattle Seahawks take on the Washington Commanders in their upcoming Week 3 matchup.
Further reading
For more updates on professional league developments, check out the Football section.
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