Seahawks Just Locked In Two Stars: This Is How You Build Around Sam Darnold

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Seahawks Just Locked In Two Stars: This Is How You Build Around Sam Darnold

The Seahawks made a huge move on Thursday, exercising the fifth-year contract options for wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Translation: Seattle is all in on these two, and they're signaling to the rest of the league that the core is staying put.

Smith-Njigba Gets the Long-Term Commitment

Let's be real: when you've got a receiver like Smith-Njigba, you keep him. The Seahawks exercised his fifth-year option, which means they're locking him in for the future. This isn't just about keeping a talented pass catcher on the roster. It's about building around Sam Darnold and giving him weapons he can trust for years to come. Smith-Njigba has been a centerpiece of the passing game, and Mike Macdonald and Brian Fleury clearly believe he's a cornerstone piece as the offense evolves.

The Defense Gets Reinforced with Witherspoon

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But it's not just about the offense. The Seahawks also exercised the fifth-year option for cornerback Devon Witherspoon, cementing another young star on the defensive side of the ball. In a league where elite corners are hard to find, keeping Witherspoon locked in long term is a statement. Seattle is building a defense that can compete, and Witherspoon is a huge part of that equation.

What's Next

These moves feel like the foundation for bigger things coming down the road. The Seahawks are clearly comfortable with their young talent and ready to make the investments necessary to keep their core together. With Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon under contract through their fifth-year options, Seattle has two building blocks in place as they push forward with Darnold under center and Macdonald calling the shots. The question now is what other moves are coming. The front office just sent a message: they're not done yet.

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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.

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