Seahawks predicted to give massive extension to 163-catch, 10-TD playmaker

It's been a busy offseason for the Seattle Seahawks. Even after exceeding expectations in 2024, the team decided to make some big changes with the roster.

Reliable veteran passer Geno Smith was shipped off to Las Vegas to reunite with Pete Carroll. In return, the team brought in Sam Darnold to man the quarterback position. 

Veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett was cut for financial reasons, and D.K. Metcalf was shipped to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

With Lockett and Metcalf gone, the team will likely rely on Jaxon Smith-Njigba even more so in 2025. Smith-Njigba impressed in 2024, catching 100 passes for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns. The speedy receiver became the top receiving option as the season progressed, and the team clearly feels confident in his abilities. 

Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports recently identified the player each team should extend. For the Seahawks, Sullivan picked Smith-Njigba. 

Regarding a potential Smith-Njigba extension, Sullivan offered the following: 

Another member of the 2023 NFL Draft class set to cash in after this season is Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. After moving on from DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett this offseason, Smith-Njigba is the top dog in Seattle's passing attack. Those moves come after the 23-year-old exploded for 100 catches and 1,130 yards receiving during his sophomore campaign. If he continues to ascend and proves to be the bona fide linchpin of the Seahawks offense, he'll fetch quite the extension. 

As Sullivan mentioned, Smith-Njigba could set himself up to land a massive extension if he continues to impress in 2025. 

So far, the receiver has played in 34 games in his NFL career and caught 163 passes for 1,758 yards and 86 touchdowns. The Ohio State product has already cemented himself as an elite route-runner and is extremely durable, having not missed a single game so far in the NFL. 

Smith-Njigba will carry a cap hit of just under $4 million in 2025 and just under $5 million in 2026. The Seahawks have until May 2026 to pick up his fifth-year option, and it seems like a no-brainer that the team will do so, unless an extension is reached. 

Receivers are making more and more each year, and the top players at the position make a killing. Ja'Marr Chase is the highest-paid receiver currently, with an average salary of over $40 million. 

Depending on how the 2025 season goes, it wouldn't be surprising to see Smith-Njigba land an annual salary of $28 million+.