The Seattle Seahawks had an excellent 2025 season, resulting in a Super Bowl victory. Throughout the roster, talent was loaded in many positions, but this free agency period, some really important players left. This could be a worry going into next season, but Seattle had to prioritize extensions over nearly everything else.
One of those players who could be extended was wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and with his excellent 2025 season, the deal would be significant. The Seahawks didn’t just get the contract extension done; they made Smith-Njigba the highest-paid WR in the entire NFL.
NFL Analysts Praised Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Contract Extension
In 2025, Smith-Njigba won Offensive Player of the Year, and it makes sense why. In PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, Smith-Njigba finished 2nd overall, was 1st in receiving yards (1793), 3rd in receptions (119), 5th in yards per target (11.0), and 5th in receiving touchdowns (10). He is an elite player and was arguably the most important player on the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning offense.
With Smith-Njigba entering his 4th season, the Seahawks could have just waited and extended him after picking up his 5th year option. Instead, they got it done early before the WR market rises even more, and due to this $168.6M extension, Smith-Njigba became the highest-paid WR in the NFL.
After the news of Smith-Njigba’s extension, the NFL World had reactions:
NFL insider Albert Breer praises Smith-Njigba and believes the deal was worth it, “Monster deal for JSN. Very well-earned.”
NFL insider Ari Meirov points out how much of a difference there is between the highest-paid WR and two other positions:
“The highest-paid WR in the NFL, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, now makes **more than double** what the highest-paid RB and TE make.
• Smith-Njigba: $42.15M/year
• Saquon Barkley: $20.6M/year
• George Kittle: $19.1M/year”
The highest-paid WR in the NFL, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, now makes **more than double** what the highest-paid RB and TE make.
• Smith-Njigba: $42.15M/year
• Saquon Barkley: $20.6M/year
• George Kittle: $19.1M/year https://t.co/Uv5ewKYqxk pic.twitter.com/HGuHZKSaGW— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 23, 2026
Fantasy football analyst LaQuan Jones calls for Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua to be extended next: “Puka up next.”
Puka up next 🐏
— LaQuan Jones (@RealDealFantasy) March 23, 2026
NFL insider James Palmer discussed his conversations with people about this year’s WR class and how Smith-Njigba may change the thinking of some teams. Here’s what he shared:
Was talking to a source about the his year’s WR class and we got to talking about JSN, his draft profile and what he’s become:
“JSN is special. Some guys are just super hero’s at playing football. They may not have top 5 traits, but in terms of playing the game, some guys are…
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 23, 2026
NFL and Dallas Cowboys analyst Marcus Mosher takes a shot at how some front offices have done their own contract extensions, and that the Seahawks are a great example of how to do it correctly
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“No drama. No bashing of the player. No nonsense,” Mosher wrote. “This is how good front offices do record-setting deals.”
No drama. No bashing of the player. No nonsense. This is how good front offices do record-setting deals. https://t.co/QpowzvcPTl
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 23, 2026
Former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky speaks on Smith-Njigba’s character, “Great player. Great dude.”
Great player
Great dude https://t.co/9XOL47OeFJ— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) March 23, 2026
NFL analyst and WR specialist Matt Harmon proclaims that Smith-Njigba’s was exactly what he deserved, “Let me break new ground by bravely being the one to say: Worth it.”
Let me break new ground by bravely being the one to say: Worth it. https://t.co/xMHdpC6xYq
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) March 23, 2026
Former NFL CB Darius Butler speaks on the deal and believes Smith-Njigba’s new contract is rightfully earned, “Sheesh!!! Earned every penny.”
Sheesh!!! Earned every penny 💵💵💵 https://t.co/Tb3iU8fW9c
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) March 23, 2026
Clearly, the NFL world agrees that this deal between Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks was well worth it for both sides.
By locking down their star WR, Seattle’s future at that position should be set, and potentially, more Super Bowls could be on their way.
