Last week, the Seahawks made headlines by exercising the fifth-year option on receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s rookie contract. This week, Smith-Njigba secured a new deal that extends his time with the team.
The four-year extension is impressive, averaging $42.15 million per year. This surpasses the previous record of $40 million set by Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase last year.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the new contract:
- Signing Bonus: $35 million.
- 2026 Base Salary: $1.25 million, fully guaranteed.
- 2026 Workout Bonus: $250,000, fully guaranteed but must be earned.
- 2027 Option Bonus: $30 million, fully guaranteed.
- 2027 Base Salary: $1.53 million, fully guaranteed.
- 2028 Base Salary: $18.83 million, injury guaranteed at signing.
In total, this six-year contract amounts to over $195 million. This includes a significant guaranteed amount at signing and a yearly average value that reflects Smith-Njigba’s rising status as a top receiver in the league.
Recent trends show teams are more willing to offer extensions before a player’s fourth season, especially if they’ve proven themselves early. Players like Chase and Justin Jefferson had to wait longer for their extensions. In contrast, Smith-Njigba received his after just three seasons.
This approach benefits both the player and the team. The team retains a talented player while the athlete secures long-term financial stability early in their career.
Experts believe that as the salary cap continues to grow, we can expect ongoing increases in contracts for top-performing receivers. A report by Spotrac indicates that NFL salaries for wide receivers have soared by nearly 20% over the past year, reflecting the game’s evolving dynamics.
With Smith-Njigba setting a new benchmark, other receivers will likely follow suit, hoping to secure similar deals before they hit their fourth year in the league.
