Orlovsky: JSN absolutely deserves this historic contract (0:50)
Dan Orlovsky and the «Get Up» crew react to Jaxon Smith-Njigba signing a historic four-year contract extension worth $168.6 million. (0:50)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, has reached agreement with the Seattle Seahawks on a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension that makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history, sources told ESPN.
The deal averages $42.15 million per year and includes over $120 million guaranteed, both setting records for a wide receiver.
With this new agreement, the two-time Pro Bowler is contractually tied to Seattle through the 2031 season. The Seahawks already exercised Smith-Njigba’s fifth-year option for 2027 — worth approximately $23.9 million — last week.
Smith-Njigba’s deal with the Seahawks is the latest jump in the wide receiver market — one that will impact the division rival Los Angeles Rams, who could be working on a Puka Nacua extension this offseason. Nacua is entering the final year of his deal in 2026.
Smith-Njigba’s salary eclipses the previous high for a wide receiver: Ja’Marr Chase‘s deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, which has an average annual value of $40.25 million. The receivers with the next-highest average annual value after Chase: Justin Jefferson ($35 million), CeeDee Lamb ($34 million), DK Metcalf ($33 million) and Garrett Wilson ($32.5 million).
In addition to Smith-Njigba, a 2023 first-round draft pick, the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks previously extended star left tackle Charles Cross, their first-round selection in 2022. Seattle’s other 2023 first-round pick, star cornerback Devon Witherspoon, is also eligible for an extension.
Smith-Njigba, 24, set career highs in receptions (119), receiving yards (1,793) and touchdown receptions (10) en route to being named a first-team All-Pro in 2025. In three postseason games, he had 17 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns.
Drafted 20th overall in 2023, Smith-Njigba finished his rookie season with 628 receiving yards before breaking out in Year 2 with 1,130, earning a Pro Bowl berth as an alternate. He then continued his ascent into arguably the game’s top receiver in 2025 by leading the NFL in receiving yards despite playing in the league’s most run-heavy offense.
Smith-Njigba missed most of his final college season at Ohio State with a hamstring injury, but he has yet to miss a game in three NFL seasons.
The Seahawks last week also exercised their fifth-year option on Witherspoon at a projected cost of around $21.2 million for 2027.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson contributed to this report.
