Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba: ‘I deserve to be the highest-paid receiver’

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba just led the NFL in receiving yards, and now he wants to get paid like that. “I’m really not in too much of a rush right now to do it. I know my time is coming and when we get it done, it’ll be a good deal. God’s timing is perfect timing, so whenever it happens, we’ll be ready. I believe I deserve to be the highest paid in my position, just what I give to the game and the community. I give it my all,” Smith-Njigba, who is now eligible for an extension, said when asked if he would consider sign a contract extension. with the Seahawks in an interview with WFAA. “And I think it’s worth much, much more. I would play this game for free. I love this game so much, but it doesn’t have to be. I’m learning to be a good businessman, and we need that check at the end of the day.” Last season, Smith-Njigba totaled 119 receptions for a total of 1,793 yards (15.1 yards per reception) and an NFL-high 10 touchdowns, helping him win the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year award. During that time, he accumulated over 100 receiving yards in nine regular season games and 10 games overall (regular season plus playoffs). In Seattle’s three playoff games, Smith-Njigba totaled 17 receptions for 199 yards – 153 of those yards came against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game – and two touchdowns en route to the Seahawks defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. In 2024, Smith-Njigba has 100 receptions for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl nominations in each of the last two seasons (2024-25). Seattle selected Smith-Njigba with the No. 20 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, with whom it led the Big Ten in receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,606) in 2021. As for a potential Smith-Njigba extension, Ja’Marr Chase has the highest average annual value and total money in a contract for an NFL wide receiver (four-year deal, $161 million with the Cincinnati Bengals, $40.25 million AAV); Justin Jefferson ($140 million, four-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings, $35 million AAV) is second, followed by CeeDee Lamb in third ($136 million, four-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, $34 million AAV).