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Jaxon Smith-Njigba Signs Record Contract Extension with Seattle Seahawks

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba Becomes NFL's Highest-Paid Wide Receiver with $168.6M Extension

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has signed a four-year contract extension valued at $168.6 million. This agreement establishes Smith-Njigba as the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL based on average annual value for new money. The deal extends his commitment to the team for a total of six years, securing his place through the 2031 season.

The new contract makes Smith-Njigba the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL based on average annual value for new money, and locks him in with the Seahawks for six years through 2031.

Contract Details

The four-year extension carries an average annual value (AAV) of $42.15 million, which significantly surpasses the previous high set by Ja'Marr Chase's AAV of $40.25 million. Including his remaining years on the previous contract, Smith-Njigba's total payout over six years amounts to $195.167996 million, resulting in an overall average annual value of $32.527 million for the entire six-year period.

The contract includes $120 million in guarantees. Specifically, $69.13 million is fully guaranteed at signing, with $120.067 million guaranteed for injury at signing.

Key Financial Components

  • Signing Bonus: $35 million
  • Option Bonus (2027): $30 million
  • Guarantees: Base salaries, workout bonuses, and per-game roster bonuses are fully guaranteed through 2027. Portions of the 2028 and 2029 payouts are guaranteed for injury at signing, transitioning to full guarantees on specific waiver period dates.

Initial New Year Payouts

  • 2026: $36.25 million
  • 2027: $32.63 million
  • 2028: $19.937 million
    • These figures combine for $88.817 million over the first three new years of the deal, with $62.24 million allocated for the first new year (2026).

Player Performance and History

Jaxon Smith-Njigba was selected by the Seahawks as the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The team recently exercised his fifth-year option prior to the extension, underscoring his value.

Career Highlights

  • 2025 Season: Smith-Njigba was named AP Offensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-Pro honors, along with his second Pro Bowl selection. He led the league with 1,793 receiving yards on 119 receptions and recorded 10 touchdowns during this season.
  • 2024 Season: He recorded 100 receptions for 1,130 yards, establishing himself as the team's primary wide receiver following the trade of DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
  • Career Totals: In his career, Smith-Njigba has played in all 51 eligible regular-season games, accumulating 282 receptions for 3,551 yards and 20 touchdowns.
  • Super Bowl LX: He contributed significantly to the Seahawks' Super Bowl LX win, catching 17 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns during the postseason.

Team Context

The extension was finalized following Smith-Njigba's third NFL season, highlighting his rapid ascent as a cornerstone player. In addition to securing Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks also recently picked up the fifth-year option for cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who was the fifth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Witherspoon, a three-time Pro Bowler, has a fully guaranteed projected salary of $21.1 million in 2027.

The Seahawks have also secured fellow wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. This offseason, the team has seen the departure of several players in free agency, including running back Kenneth Walker III (Kansas City Chiefs), linebacker Boye Mafe (Cincinnati Bengals), safety Coby Bryant (Chicago Bears), and cornerback Riq Woolen (Philadelphia Eagles).