The Seahawks Just Locked In Their Future: Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon Are Here to Stay
The Seahawks are making a statement. On Friday, the team exercised the fifth-year options on receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, keeping both cornerstone players under contract through the 2027 season. This isn't just paperwork, folks. This is the front office saying these two are foundational pieces, and they're about to get paid like it.
What This Means for the Cap and the Wallet
Let's break down the numbers because they matter. Smith-Njigba gets a guaranteed $23.852 million for 2027, while Witherspoon locks in $21.161 million, according to OvertheCap.com. Both of those salaries are now fully guaranteed. Right now, Witherspoon is looking at a $1.145 million base salary for 2026, and Smith-Njigba sits at $2.715 million. Yeah, that gap is massive, and it's telling you exactly what's coming next.
Here's the thing: the Seahawks have almost $35 million in effective cap space for 2026, which ranks sixth in the NFL. That's plenty of room to work with. The team is sitting on $76.8 million for 2027 as well, eighth most in the league. In other words, Seattle has the financial flexibility to get both of these guys extended before the regular season kicks off.
This Is Step One of a Bigger Plan
Fifth-year options only go to first-round picks, and both Witherspoon and Smith-Njigba fit that bill. Witherspoon was the fifth overall pick in 2025 out of Illinois. Smith-Njigba went 20th overall out of Ohio State. Exercising these options now signals intent, but it's really just the opening move. The expectation is that the team will hammer out long-term extensions with each player sometime in 2026, likely before the season starts.
Look at what happened with Charles Cross last year. The Seahawks exercised his fifth-year option on April 28, then signed him to a four-year extension through 2030 in January. That deal cut his cap hit from a potential $17.5 million down to $1.69 million for 2026. Same playbook is coming for these two.
They Know Their Worth
Here's where it gets spicy. Smith-Njigba came out last month and told the world exactly what he thinks: "I believe I deserve to be the highest paid in my position." That's not a bluff. Ja'Marr Chase of Cincinnati is the highest-paid receiver right now at $40.25 million per year, with Minnesota's Justin Jefferson at $35 million. For cornerbacks, Ahmad Gardner of the Jets leads at $30.1 million per year, followed by Derek Stingley Jr. of Houston at $30 million. Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon will be looking to match or exceed those numbers, and honestly, both have the tape to back it up.
The Seahawks are getting ahead of this, and that's smart. Extensions are coming. Get ready for some big numbers to hit the news cycle soon.
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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.