The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, making him the highest-paid at his position with an average annual value of $42.15 million. This surpasses Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase's mark by nearly $2 million and includes over $120 million guaranteed, following Smith-Njigba's comments last month on deserving top pay after his standout 2025 season and the team's Super Bowl LX victory.
As reported by CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones, the deal secures the 24-year-old former Ohio State star long-term after the Seahawks picked up his fifth-year option last week. It tops Ja'Marr Chase's $40.3 million AAV with the Bengals, ahead of Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson ($35 million) and Dallas Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb ($34 million).
Smith-Njigba, drafted No. 20 overall in 2023, emerged as Seattle's top receiver post-DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. After leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards in 2025—earning Offensive Player of the Year and All-Pro honors—he fueled the Super Bowl run, including 17 postseason catches for 199 yards and two TDs. Standouts: 10-of-12 for 153 yards and a TD in the NFC Championship vs. the Rams, en route to beating the Patriots in Santa Clara.
A month after telling WFAA-TV he believes he merits the highest WR salary for his on-field and community impact, Seattle committed, positioning him as a cornerstone for the 2026 title defense at Lumen Field.