Jaxon Smith-Njigba just became the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. The Seattle Seahawks locked up their 2025 AP Offensive Player of the Year on a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension on Monday, March 23.
The deal averages $42.15 million annually and includes over $120 million in guaranteed money, shattering the records previously held by Ja’Marr Chase. Smith-Njigba, who led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards and helped Seattle win Super Bowl 60, is now tied to the franchise through 2031.
Top 10 Highest-Paid WRs in the NFL
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks: $42.15 Million
The 24-year-old had made his expectations clear during the offseason that he believed he deserved to be the highest-paid at his position. The Seahawks agreed, and his new deal resets the receiver market and puts immediate pressure on the Los Angeles Rams, who face their own extension talks with Puka Nacua.
According to PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, Nacua finished last season as the highest-ranked receiver in the league with an impact score of 98.2. Smith-Njigba was the second-highest ranked receiver and had an impact score of 94.4.
Smith-Njigba’s extension vaults him nearly $2 million per year ahead of Ja’Marr Chase, making him the new benchmark for receiver contracts. The former Ohio State standout posted 1,793 receiving yards in 2025, setting a Seahawks franchise record while leading the league.
His 119 receptions ranked fourth in the NFL, and his 10 touchdowns helped fuel Seattle’s Super Bowl run. Smith-Njigba earned first-team All-Pro honors and his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection. The deal ties him to Seattle through 2031.
2. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: $40.25 Million
Chase signed his four-year, $161 million deal with the Bengals last March after winning the receiving triple crown in 2024. He led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17) that season.
The deal includes $109.8 million in guarantees, with $73.9 million fully guaranteed at signing. Chase held the top receiver contract for exactly one year before Smith-Njigba surpassed him. He remains one of the league’s most dominant offensive weapons.
3. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: $35 Million
Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Vikings in June 2024, briefly making him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. The deal included $110 million guaranteed.
The former LSU standout has posted over 1,400 receiving yards in four of his first six NFL seasons. He won Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after recording 128 receptions and 1,809 yards. Jefferson came off a quieter 2025 campaign by his standards but remains elite.
4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: $34 Million
Lamb’s decision to hold out through training camp in 2024 paid off when the Cowboys signed him to a four-year, $136 million extension less than two weeks before the season opener. The deal includes $100 million guaranteed.
He has been Dak Prescott’s primary target for years and enters 2026 as the cornerstone of Dallas’ passing attack. Lamb posted back-to-back seasons with over 1,700 receiving yards before his extension.
5. DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers: $33 Million
Metcalf landed a four-year, $132 million deal when the Steelers traded for him from Seattle in March 2025. The extension includes $60 million fully guaranteed at signing.
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His first season in Pittsburgh produced 59 receptions for 850 yards and 6 touchdowns before a two-game suspension for a fan altercation ended his year early. The Steelers declined to void his contract guarantees despite having the option to do so.
6. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets: $32.5 Million
The Jets signed Wilson to a four-year, $130 million extension with $90 million guaranteed in July 2025. He became the highest-paid player in franchise history.
Wilson was one of only five players in NFL history to record 80-plus catches and 1,000-plus yards in each of his first three seasons. Injuries limited him in 2025, but New York remains committed to building around the former Ohio State star.
7) Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders | $32.33 Million
McLaurin signed a three-year, $97 million extension with the Commanders in August 2025 after a prolonged hold-in during training camp. The deal includes $44 million in fully guaranteed commitments at signing, with the potential to reach $50 million in guarantees.
The two-time Pro Bowl receiver has posted five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, a franchise record. McLaurin set a career high with 13 touchdowns in 2024 while helping Washington reach the NFC Championship Game in Jayden Daniels’ rookie year.
8) A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles | $32 Million
Brown signed a three-year, $96 million extension with the Eagles on draft day in 2024. The deal keeps him in Philadelphia through 2029.
He has been a Pro Bowl fixture since arriving via trade from Tennessee and remains a key piece of the Eagles’ championship core. Brown’s physicality and contested-catch ability make him one of the league’s most difficult covers.
9) Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions | $30 Million
The Lions locked up St. Brown on a four-year, $120.1 million extension just before the 2024 NFL Draft. The fourth-round gem from 2021 had outperformed his draft slot dramatically.
St. Brown has become one of the most productive receivers in Lions franchise history, posting consecutive seasons with over 115 receptions. His reliability and route-running precision have made him Jared Goff’s favorite target.
10) Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers | $30 Million
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers in 2024 after an offseason filled with trade speculation. He had requested a trade before eventually reaching an agreement.
Injuries have plagued him since signing the deal, limiting his impact in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The 49ers remain hopeful he can return to his 2023 form when healthy.
Smith-Njigba’s contract ensures receivers will continue pushing toward quarterback money. With Nacua and George Pickens still seeking extensions, the market has nowhere to go but up.
