Seahawks Make Contract Plans for Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon

It has been a difficult offseason for the Seattle Seahawks as they lost some star players. The Seahawks re-signed a couple of stars and key role players and signed some new additions to the team. This is all for the front office to keep their salary cap at a reasonable rate. One of the biggest reasons is to make two of their best young players, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, happy and secure.

JSN and Witherspoon are Taken Care of by the Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Super Bowl LX. — Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs the ball during the third quarter against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

The Seahawks made it official that the team has exercised the fifth-year options for JSN and Witherspoon. Both players are coming off their third-year of their fourth-year rookie deal, which includes a fifth-year option. The Seahawks make the moves early as JSN becomes one of the most explosive receivers in the league. On the other side of the field, Witherspoon is one of the few players in the league to be named to a Pro Bowl in all three years.

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It makes sense for JSN and Witherspoon to be given the fifth-year options at the same time. They were both selected by Seattle in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, with Witherspoon being the fifth overall pick and JSN being the 20th overall pick.

They are at least secured until the 2028 offseason. In the 2027 NFL Season, both players are set to earn at $21 million each. There is a great chance that both players will not reach the final years of their deal.

What is in Store for JSN and Witherspoon?

Devon Witherspoon in Super Bowl LX. — Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (center right) forces a fumble by New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

JSN is one of the most explosive and reliable pass-catchers in the league. He is coming off a 2025 season where he caught 163 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he won the league’s Offensive Player of the Year award.

Witherspoon is a lockdown corner who has played elite coverages as an outside and slot cornerback. In three seasons, Witherspoon has accumulated 249 total tackles, 170 solo tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 32 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.

Both players have been pivotal in helping create a new culture for the Seahawks in just a few short years and, most recently, helped the Seahawks win their second Super Bowl title. Both players are now expected to be leaders for the team despite being young, not because the team doesn’t have veteran leaders, but because they possess such elite talent.

To be leaders and be elite players, they deserve to be played like elite players. JSN said he wants to be paid like one of the top receivers in the league but is willing to be patient. Witherspoon, meanwhile, hasn’t expressed his desire for a luxurious extension, but he knows he wants the huge deal. It is unknown how long the front office will give out the extensions for JSN and Witherspoon, but the Seahawks have the eighth-most salary cap space available, so it is possible to get it done this offseason.

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