The Seattle Seahawks gave credit -- and cash -- where it was due. Following an Offensive Player of the Year breakout campaign, they signed Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension that pays him an average annual value of $42.2 million.
The Ohio State product was the most explosive playmaker in the game, piling up 1,793 receiving yards in his first season without Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, shutting down all doubts about whether he was ready for a bigger role.
However, as usually happens in this line of business, his time at the top will be, to quote the late great Christopher Wallace, "Short like leprechauns." Once again, the Los Angeles Rams might make a league-altering move by making Puka Nacua the highest-paid wide receiver in the game.
The Seattle Seahawks can only watch as the Rams make a big Puka Nacua mistake
According to ESPN insider Bill Barnwell, the former fifth-round pick will use Smith-Njigba's contract as a blueprint, and while some off-field scandals might've cast doubt on his future, the Rams will ultimately comply.
"Of course, it would be a surprise if Nacua played another game on his rookie deal. The Rams have a well-earned reputation for extending their young stars as soon as possible," wrote Barnwell. "And while a series of off-field incidents and a stint in rehab derailed any negotiation talks, it seems inevitable that the Rams will sign their best young offensive player to a record-setting contract before the start of the 2026 season, using the Smith-Njigba contract as a blueprint."
The Rams have already gone to great lengths to one-up the Seahawks this offseason. If trading for Trent McDuffie wasn't enough, they doubled down on that approach by acquiring Myles Garrett, the best defensive player in the game. Now, they'll have to out-spend the defending Super Bowl champions to keep their star playmaker in town.
Nevertheless, that decision could come back to haunt them once it's all said and done. Nacua has proven to be one of the biggest NFL Draft steals in recent years, making scouts look foolish for looking past him when he entered the league. That said, one can only wonder if his style of play is sustainable.
Nacua is a relentless blocker. He's one of the most physical wide receivers out there, often looking like a tight end to make room for the running game or fellow pass catchers. Of course, that's something all coaches would love to see from their players, but it can also lead to sustained damage over time.
He already missed six games in his second year in the league. This is a physical game, and all players are always one snap away from missing time. Granted, that can't stop teams from paying their best players, but it's a factor to consider nonetheless.
Also, there's the big elephant in the room. The Seahawks would've probably already given Nacua that extension if it weren't for his erratic behavior. He seemingly hit rock bottom and is ready to get back on track. He didn't let his issues on the field affect his performance, but those incidents should still be at the back of the Rams' minds.
Ultimately, the nature of the business will back them against a corner; all of their options are bad. They can either low-ball him and hope he doesn't leave in free agency, meet his market value and risk getting burned in the long run, or keep him on franchise tags and get on his bad side.
The Rams are the Seahawks' biggest threat, not only in the division but in the entire league, so they'll certainly love to watch them walk themselves into this tricky situation.
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