Jaxon Smith-Njigba gets his Seahawks contract extension: How big is the payday for the WR?
The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms on a contract extension for Jaxon Smith-Njigba that has made him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.
The Seattle Seahawks have made a major statement about their future, and it comes with a record-breaking paycheck. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.
BREAKING: Seahawks, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba agree to terms on 4-year, $168.6M extension with $120M guaranteed, making him the highest paid WR in the NFL. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/krdA4gMRVe
— NFL (@NFL) March 23, 2026
So just how big is the payday, and how did he get here?
Breaking down Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s new contract
Smith-Njigba’s new deal is massive by any standard:
- Total value: $168.6 million
- Length: 4 years
- Average annual salary: $42.15 million
- Contract runs through: 2031 season
That $42.15 million per year figure pushes him past previous top earners like Ja’Marr Chase (around $40.25M annually), setting a new benchmark for elite wide receivers. Just months ago, projections had him earning in the high-$30 million range annually, meaning this deal blew past expectations.
From rookie deal to record-setter
The jump in salary is even more staggering when compared to Smith-Njigba’s rookie contract. After being drafted in the first round in 2023, the former Ohio State Buckeyes star signed a four-year deal worth roughly $14.4 million, with an average salary of about $3.6 million per year.
His base salaries looked modest by NFL standards:
- 2023: $750,000
- 2024: $955,000
- 2025: $1.55 million
- 2026: $2.72 million
Even with a projected fifth-year option worth around $25 million, his earnings were nowhere near what he has now secured. Smith-Njigba has gone from a mid-tier salary at his position to the top of the market in just one season.
Why the Seahawks paid him
The payday comes after a historic 2025 season that turned Smith-Njigba into one of the NFL’s biggest stars. He finished with 119 receptions, 1,793 receiving yards (league-leading), and 10 touchdowns.
He didn’t just dominate the regular season either. Smith-Njigba delivered in key moments during Seattle’s playoff run, including a 153-yard, 10-catch performance in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams.
By the end of the season, he had earned First-team All-Pro honors and Offensive Player of the Year. Performances like that, especially on a Super Bowl-winning team, made him impossible to ignore in contract talks.
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