AFTER a phenomenal season and Super Bowl LX triumph, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has reached an agreement with the Seattle Seahawks to become the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.
Mutually agreeing on a four-year, $168.6 million extension, as per CBS insider Jonathan Jones. The 24-year-old’s deal will have a $42.15 million annual average, topping the previous record set by Cincinnati Bengals’ playmaker Ja’Marr Chase by almost $2 million.
The extension swiftly comes off the back of the Seahawks, exercising the wide receiver’s fifth-year option – worth approximately $23.9 million – last week.
Last season, Smith-Njigba set career records in receptions (119), receiving yards (1,793), and touchdown receptions (10). Additionally, the 24-year-old was named a first-time All-Pro in 2025.
In the postseason, Smith-Njigba was excellent with 17 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns.
Drafted with the 20th pick in 2023, the wide receiver recorded 628 receiving yards in his rookie season before following it up with 1,130 yards in Year Two, which earned his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Since Smith-Njigba has ascended into one of the best and most reliable receivers in the NFL, leading the league in receiving yards, despite playing in one of the most run-heavy offences. The 24-year-old is also a reliable character, having not missed a game in three seasons.
Comfortably sitting as the highest paid wide receiver in history, above the likes of Chase, Justin Jefferson, and CeeDee Lamb, who both sit on around $34 million annually – Smith-Njigba’s deal has the potential to reset the market completely.
Following a career year with the Los Angeles Rams, Puka Nacua has also blossomed into one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, with the Rams star entering the final year of his contract. A fellow 2023 draft classmate with Smith-Njigba, Nacua will certainly be looking for a similar contract – or more.
“Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s deal with the Seahawks is the latest jump in the WR market, one that will impact their division rival Rams, who could be working on a Puka Nacua extension this offseason,” Adam Schefter shared on his X account.
As the Rams will be determined to hold onto their playmaker, Nacua could reach sums of around $170 million.
Alternatively, alongside extending Smith-Njigba, the reigning Super Bowl champions have paid attention to their defense, exercised their fifth-year option on Devon Witherspoon for $21.2 million.
