Seahawks' Mike Macdonald, John Schneider explain signing Jaxon Smith-Njigba to massive contract

The Seattle Seahawks didn't wait until the start of springtime workouts to make Jaxon Smith-Njigba the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL via a four-year, $168.6M deal that included $120M guaranteed. 

As ESPN's Brady Henderson noted, Smith-Njigba had two years remaining on his rookie contract once the team option on that deal was exercised before he put pen to paper on his massive extension. On Wednesday, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and general manager John Schneider explained why they wanted to lock Smith-Njigba down as soon as possible. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba "a foundational piece" for the Super Bowl champions

"He's going to be here, and he's a foundational piece," Macdonald said about Smith-Njigba, per John Boyle of the Seahawks' website. "He's a cornerstone of our team. Just being able to see his growth over the two years that we've been here. I mean, the sky's the limit. This is the beginning. This is another iteration of our football team, and Jax is obviously going to be a huge part of it, and where we want to go and where we want to take our team. And I know it's early in his career, but he's already a leader on our team and will be for a long time. So we're really excited."

Smith-Njigba led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards in 2025 en route to winning the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. He was fourth in the league with 119 total receptions, and he was tied for sixth with 10 touchdown catches. 

"Jacked" to have Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed to long-term deal

Whether or not Smith-Njigba is "better" than Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals or Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings is a matter of opinion. Schneider indicated that there's no other receiver he'd rather pay this offseason than Smith-Njigba.

"I'm so proud of who Jaxon is as a person," Schneider added about signing Smith-Njigba to an extension. "Your parents did a great job raising you…Obviously, a young foundational piece. Offensive Player of the Year. We're super excited, everybody in the building. We're all here for you, Jax. Have been from Day 1, and I know you'll be great moving forward. You're a great teammate, great person. The city of Seattle has to be jacked that he'll be with us for a long time here."

Smith-Njigba made it known he's already thinking about earning a second career Super Bowl ring. Such a mentality is just one reason those running the Seahawks didn't want the 24-year-old to even begin thinking about eventually playing elsewhere while in his prime.