The Seattle Seahawks are making Jaxon Smith-Njigba the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL history.
Report: Seahawks make JSN highest-paid WR in NFL history
According to multiple reports Monday morning, Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks have agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension that averages $42.15 million per year and keeps him under contract with Seattle through 2031.
Smith-Njigba’s $42.15 million annual average surpasses that previous record for a wide receiver, which belonged to Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase at $40.25 million per year. Chase inked a four-year, $161 million deal in March 2025.
Behind Smith-Njigba and Chase, the next highest-paid receivers by annual average value are the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson ($35 million), the Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb ($34 million), the Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf ($33 million) and the New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson ($32.5 million), according to Over The Cap.
After the news broke, NFL Network’s Steve Wyche joined Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Monday morning to give his reaction.
Wyche said that while it’s certainly high price tag, Seahawks general manager John Schneider was “wise” to get the deal done now. Wide receiver contracts will only get more expensive in the coming years, so by the time Smith-Njigba’s contract actually goes into effect, it likely won’t look quite as pricey – especially if the NFL’s salary cap continues to rise.
“The money is significant, but that’s where the market is,” Wyche said. “… I mean, this is one where I’m like, John Schneider and Seattle, they get it. Let’s not wait. Get it done while the cap is what it is.
“We’ve seen some teams like the Dallas Cowboys wait and wait and wait while the price goes up,” Wyche added. “Even though this is expensive, two or three years from now this is going to look like, OK, this is just, a top-15 type of salary. So, wise on Seattle to get this done now.”
Smith-Njigba is coming off a spectacular campaign, earning AP Offensive Player of the Year honors after piling up a league-high and franchise-record 1,793 receiving yards, which were the eighth-most in a single season in NFL history.
But from a roster-building standpoint, Mike Salk asked Wyche if he has any concern over paying a wide receiver top-of-the-market money – especially for a team like the Seahawks that’s built on defense and balance in all three phases.
“I don’t see that being an issue at all,” Wyche said. “I mean, again, this is the market. … This is just how it goes.”
Wyche then pointed out the Seahawks are getting quarterback Sam Darnold on a bargain. Darnold’s three-year deal averages $33.5 million per year, which ranks just 15th among NFL QBs.
“They happen to have a quarterback in Sam Darnold who’s not making $60 million a year,” Wyche said. “Those are the types of contracts that can kill a salary cap.”
Listen to the full conversation with NFL Network’s Steve Wyche at this link or in the audio player near the middle of this story. Tune into Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
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