The Seattle Seahawks announced a massive contract extension for star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, underscoring the decision to pay handsomely for a receiver who is the rock of the organization.
The watchword both coach Mike Macdonald and GM John Schenider repeated in Wednesday’s press conference was “fundamentals” — as in, JSN was the foundation of everything the organization prizes and wants to continue to be.
“One of the great things that paints a great picture of what Jax means to us, being a staple of our football team and our organization, is that we have a full house here,” Macdonald said on the team’s official website. “It’s pretty awesome. We’ve come close to the whole Seattle Seahawks organization supporting Jax on this day. I just want to emphasize how excited we are. He’s going to be here and he’s a staple, he’s a cornerstone of our team. Just being able to see his growth in the two years that we’ve been here. I mean, the sky is obviously the beginning of the Jax team and this is obviously the limit for Jax. He’s going to be a big part of that and where we want to go.” and where we want to take our team, and I know it’s early in his career, but he’s already a leader on our team and will be for a long time so we’re very excited.”
Smith-Njigba penned a four-year, $168.6 million extension, locking up the NFL’s leading receiver for the next six seasons. $42.15 million per year in new money is a huge chunk of change, but the Seahawks were poised to get ahead of the ever-growing WR market. The team was comfortable doing that because they know the type of player and person he is.
“It’s a really exciting day for the Seahawks organization, and obviously for Jax,” Schneider said. “When you go into ownership and you ask for an investment like this, you have to be so aware of who the person is. I’m so proud of who Jaxon is as a person. Your parents did a great job raising you. . . . Obviously a young foundation. Offensive Player of the Year. We’re very excited, everybody in the building. We’ve been here, you, every day, and you’ve been here, starting day. Stay great. You’re a great teammate. The city of Seattle is going to be here for a long time. I want to thank (Seahawks chairman) Jody (Allen) and (Seahawks vice president) Joey Laine on the phone.
Smith-Njigba is coming off a season in which he led the NFL with 1,793 yards, averaging a career-high 15.1 yards on 119 catches with 10 touchdowns. His ability to consistently get open against every coverage, provide sticky hands and a target makes the Seahawks offense work.
JSN was a key part of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run last year. But he’s not satisfied with his big payday and one Lombardi. If anything, he’s even more motivated by last year’s success.
“The only thing better than one Super Bowl is two,” he said with a smile. “So just working to get there, whatever my team needs from me, I’ll make sure to do it.”