There are several ways the Seahawks could play JSN’s contract position.
As a first-round pick from the 2023 draft, Smith-Njigba has a fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Seattle has until May 1 to exercise the option, the same timeline for fellow ’23 first-round pick Devon Witherspoon.
Given Smith-Njigba’s immense talent and the fact that his price tag will only continue to rise, it would make sense to agree a long-term deal sooner rather than letting his first deal go up.
The Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase set the current high-water mark for a wide receiver with his extension last season. He currently makes an average of $40.3 million per year, well between the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, who ranks second among wide receivers at $35 million.
How they respond to handing out new big contracts in the coming years will partly dictate their window as contenders, but the Seahawks are certainly in a great spot to keep their best, like JSN and Witherspoon, on lucrative deals.
On top of the aforementioned money to spend in the draft, the Seahawks have loaded up on durable talent in recent seasons, and they also found a steal under center in Sam Darnold. Of the 19 quarterbacks averaging over $30 million a year, he sits 18th, with two years left on a contract that averages $33.5 million a year.
So now appears to be the time to lock up Smith-Njigba, who had his best year teaming with Darnold for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns on 119 receptions.
Fortunately for the Seahawks, their star quarterback is saying everything right. He stated the obvious that he deserved to be a high earner, but made no demands and made the caveat that in his heart he would play football for any price.
“I would play this game for free,” Smith-Njigba said. “I love this game so much, but you don’t have to. I’m learning to be a good businessman, and we need that at the end of the day.”