Jaxon Smith-Njigba has gone from being underused as a rookie by former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, to improved under former OC Ryan Grubb, to a brilliant superstar by former OC Klint Kubiak. What the future holds for production for the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver is unknown, but he will be paid well to do it.
JSN officially signed a four-year extension on Wednesday that will pay him a maximum of $168.6 million, an NFL historic high of $42.15 a season. He is now signed, including the final year of his rookie deal and his fifth-year option, through 2031. But general manager John Schneider made sure to explain the wideout is getting paid because of who he is, not what he is.
Schneider told the media at the press conference to officially announce Smith-Njigba's extension, "Your parents did a great job raising you, man." That was a theme throughout the press conference. Seattle extended JSN for his value as a player and a person, and understands he is not a risk to fail in either department.
Seattle Seahawks deliver the truth about why Jaxon Smith-Njigba was worth his recent extension
Smith-Njigba led the league in receiving yards with 1,793 in 2025, and he was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year. What he has never been at any point in his life is a problem off the field. He is a leader already for Seattle, and he will stay that way for the foreseeable future.
Smith-Nigba might not be the highest-paid wide receiver in the league for long. Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua is due for an extension, too. The difference between the two receivers, though, is vast away from football. Nacua has shown signs of immaturity and has been accused of some horrific issues recently.
Smith-Njigba never has. The safer bet between the Seattle and LA wideouts is by far Smith-Njigba. He isn't going to let his team down now or in the future. Nacua is much more of a wild card, where his team is clearly not aware of what he might do next.
Is Nacua a great player? Sure. Is he a good human being? Some might argue either way. Finding someone who says Smithg-Njigba isn't a good person might be difficult to find.
The Seattle Seahawks obviously made the right decision in drafting Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first round of 2023, arguably the best first-round ever for the team, as it also chose cornerback Devon Witherspoon then, too. Both players have been great, and neither has been a problem. The Rams should be so lucky.