The Seattle Seahawks are set to initiate contract extension discussions with cornerback Devon Witherspoon and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba following their victory at Super Bowl LX. Both players, selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, currently remain under rookie contracts extended through the 2027 season after the Seahawks exercised their fifth-year options. As both athletes reach the end of their third NFL seasons, negotiations for long-term deals loom this summer.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Rising Star and Contract Outlook
After a breakout campaign in which he led the league with 1,793 receiving yards and earned the Offensive Player of the Year at NFL Honors, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is poised to seek a substantial contract extension. The wide receiver market has surged dramatically in recent years, making this an opportune moment for Smith-Njigba to secure a lucrative deal reflecting his success.
Currently, Ja’Marr Chase commands the highest contract among wide receivers in the NFL, earning $40.2 million per year under a four-year, $161 million extension. With nine receivers earning $30 million or more annually, Smith-Njigba’s camp is expected to target a starting point near $35 million per year, matching the second-highest paid wideout, Justin Jefferson.
While surpassing Chase’s earnings might be ambitious at this stage, some speculate that negotiations could approach the $38 million annually range, potentially resulting in a four-year, $154 million contract. However, delaying talks could lead to even higher demands as Smith-Njigba’s value continues to rise.
Devon Witherspoon’s Growth and Extension Potential
Devon Witherspoon has evolved into one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks since his entry into the league, shifting from a nickel corner to playing more as a boundary corner throughout the 2025 season. This positional change coincided with career lows in tackles (72) and pass breakups (7), along with a single interception, statistics that reflect his reduced target rate and limited tackles near the line of scrimmage rather than diminished performance.
Witherspoon allowed only three touchdowns and was penalized just three times despite playing more snaps outside the slot. A projected three-year contract extension averaging $27 million per year, totaling $81 million, would position him as the third highest-paid cornerback in the NFL behind Ahmad Gardner ($30.1 million annually) and Derek Stingley Jr. ($30 million annually). Keeping the extension shorter aligns with the league’s growing salary cap increases and allows Witherspoon another chance for a pay raise sooner.
Financial Position and Future Prospects for the Seahawks
With two elite talents at premium positions, the Seahawks are in a strong spot to retain them through significant extensions. The team enters the offseason with approximately $72.2 million in cap space, giving general manager John Schneider flexibility to pursue deals that keep the squad competitive for another Super Bowl run. Projections show the Seahawks could have about $128.3 million available next offseason, further enhancing their ability to manage top-tier contracts.
John Schneider’s roster management has resulted in a solid foundation, and exercising that upcoming cap-space will be essential to securing Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba long-term, maintaining the team’s core as it looks to build on recent success.
“It’s silly to look too far ahead, but the Seahawks are projected to possess another $128.3 million next offseason.” ?John Schneider, General Manager
