The Seahawks Just Locked In Their Two Biggest Stars Through 2027, and Here's Why It Matters
The Seattle Seahawks made it official Friday evening: Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon are staying put. The team exercised the fifth-year options on both All-Pro talents, keeping them locked in through the 2027 season and buying the front office crucial time to hammer out long-term extensions with two of the most dominant players in the NFL right now.
Two First-Round Anchors, Both Destined for Bigger Deals
Here's the thing about fifth-year options on rookie deals: they're a tool. They give you leverage and breathing room. Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon were both drafted in the first round back in 2023, which makes them eligible for this move. Before the Seahawks pulled the trigger, both were set to hit free agency after 2026. Now? They're locked in for at least one more year, and Mike Macdonald's front office gets time to work out extensions that keep these guys in the Emerald City long term.
According to OverTheCap.com projections, Smith-Njigba will see a base salary of $23.852 million in 2027 if the option is exercised. Witherspoon is projected at $21.161 million. These are the numbers that set the market for what real money looks like.
JSN: The Offensive Force That's Already Making History
Smith-Njigba, 24, just finished a season that put him in rare air. He led the entire NFL in receiving yards, took home the AP's NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, and earned first-team All-Pro honors. We're talking 119 receptions for 1,793 yards (both franchise records) and 10 touchdowns. His average of 15.1 yards per catch? That's elite. Over three seasons, the Ohio State product has racked up 282 receptions for 3,551 yards and 20 TDs in 51 regular season games. Back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Back-to-back Pro Bowls. This is your top-tier wideout, and the Seahawks were smart to secure him before the market got even crazier.
Witherspoon: The Lockdown Corner Who's Only Getting Better
On the other side, Witherspoon, 25, is arguably the most important defensive piece Seattle has. In 2025, he posted 72 tackles, seven passes defended, two tackles for loss, an interception, and 0.5 sacks across 12 regular season games. He earned second-team All-Pro honors and was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded cornerback. The Illinois product made the Pro Bowl in all three of his professional seasons. Through 43 career regular season games, he's totaled 249 tackles, 32 passes defended, 16 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He finished fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2023. That's your shutdown corner locked in.
The Seahawks have done this before. They exercised the fifth-year option for Charles Cross last year, then signed the left tackle to a four-year, $104.4 million extension through 2030 in January. Same playbook, same result: lock them down, then make them yours forever. Expect extensions for both Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon sooner rather than later.
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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.