Jaxon Smith-Njigba Is Top-Paid WR in NFL History After Reported $168.6M Seahawks Contract Extension

Coming off the best season by a wide receiver in Seattle Seahawks history and helping the franchise win a Super Bowl, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been rewarded with a long-term contract extension.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Seahawks will sign Smith-Njigba to a four-year, $168.6 million deal that includes more than $120 million guaranteed. The latter figure and his $42.2 million average salary are the most ever for a receiver.

Seattle exercised the fifth-year option on Smith-Njigba's rookie contract for the 2027 season on March 20, but that was also seen as a prelude to a lucrative multiyear deal for the Ohio State alum.

A first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Smith-Njigba began his career as the No. 3 receiving option behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. He finished with 63 catches for 628 yards and four touchdowns.

One of the issues was Seattle's offense because he was largely relegated to playing in the slot and didn't move around the formation prior to the snap.

When the Seahawks changed their coaching staff after the 2023 season, the new offensive system opened things up for Smith-Njigba. He nearly doubled his yardage total in 2024 to 1,130 and caught six touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.

The addition of Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator in 2025 provided another level-up opportunity for Smith-Njigba. He lined up out wide on nearly 77 percent of his snaps last season after playing primarily out of the slot in the previous two years.

Smith-Njigba took full advantage of the opportunity to show his full set of skills in the offense. He led the NFL in receiving yards (1,793), ranked fourth in receptions (119) and tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns (10).

Per Sumer Sports, Smith-Njigba also led the league in target share (35.8 percent). His average depth of target of 11.25 yards ranked 12th among all receivers with at least 450 routes run.

His 1,793 receiving yards shattered the Seahawks' single-season record previously held by Metcalf (1,303 in 2020). He's also the only player in franchise history with multiple 100-catch seasons.

During the Seahawks' playoff run, they didn't have to throw the ball much in two of their three games. The one game they did was the NFC Championship against the Los Angeles Rams. Smith-Njigba was incredible with 10 catches, 153 yards and a touchdown in Seattle's 31-27 win.

The 2023 draft was a transformational one for the Seahawks. Smith-Njigba was their second pick in the first round that year, following Devon Witherspoon at No. 5 overall.

Smith-Njigba has grown through his first three seasons to become the main focal point of the offense to help the Seahawks win their second Super Bowl in franchise history. He will continue to fill that role now that his contract is done and preparations for the 2026 season can be his primary focus going forward.