3 top-paid WRs Jaxon Smith-Njigba could join after expected new Seahawks deal

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is likely headed for a massive payday within the next couple of months, and he deserves every single dollar the Seattle Seahawks offer him. While JSN is not heading into this offseason as a free agent, the Seahawks could offer him a new deal. 

Smith-Njigba is coming off the best season of his NFL career, which was topped off with the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl. With 119 receptions and 1,793 yards, JSN was without question the best wide receiver during the season (he led the league in yards). But while he was the best at the position this past season, does that make him the best wideout overall?

Sorry, Seahawks fans, but not just yet. That said, when this offseason is all said and done, by the time the 2027-28 season hits, Smith-Njigba could be the highest-paid wideout and on his way to possibly being the best in the near future. Until then, there are a few names he'll have to pass first when it comes to dollars and cents.

Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba is looking up at Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson in WR rankings, but could surpass them in dollars

Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

It's fair to say that the majority of America considers Chase to be the undisputed top wide receiver in the NFL today. He's a triple crown winner, he's lightning quick, and he's everything you want in a pass catcher. On top of that, he's one half of the NFL's best wide receiver duo as well, with Tee Higgins lining up on the opposite side of the field. 

Last season, Chase was the highest-paid wideout in the league at $40,250,000; $5 million more than the next best-paid wideout. It was Chase's first season as the NFL's top-paid wideout, but it could be short-lived if the Seahawks back the bank truck up to Smith-Njigba's driveway.

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

What could Jefferson be if he had an elite quarterback? He's already one of the best pass catchers in the league (many put him above Chase, and that's okay), and he's already spent one season, like Chase, as the NFL's highest-paid wideout. Jefferson is every bit as great as Chase, although he, the Vikings superstar, would obviously call his own number if asked. 

Last season, Jefferson came just $5 million short of Chase, earning $35,000,000. Chase overtook him last summer at the No. 1 spot, which, in the spirit of each season, means a new wide receiver gets paid just a little bit more. Jefferson could see himself slip down one more spot if JSN joins the group with a new deal that starts in 2027.

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones has his flaws, but one thing he can't be criticised for is that when he chooses to pay his stars, he really pays them. Lamb received his huge payday in 2024 and last year ranked third among the highest-paid wide receivers behind Jefferson and Chase, making $34,000,000. 

The only difference between Lamb and the others is that he has never spent a season as the No. 1 paid guy. Lamb might never be the NFL's highest-paid wideout. If he were going to be, it likely would have happened by now. With Smith-Njigba about to get paid soon, that further decreases Lamb's chances.