Seahawks have reportedly made this Sam Darnold decision despite Super Bowl win

The Seattle Seahawks locked Jaxon Smith-Njigba down coming off their Super Bowl victory when they made him the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver via a four-year, $168.6M deal that included over $120M guaranteed on Monday. 

Meanwhile, quarterback Sam Darnold inked a three-year, $100.5M contract to join the Seahawks last offseason. Working an extension out with Darnold's camp now could save Seattle some money later, but it appears the club won't go down such a route this offseason. 

Will Seahawks approach Sam Darnold about a contract extension? 

ESPN's Brady Henderson shared that the Seahawks will not approach Darnold about a possible extension before next offseason.

"The Seahawks do not extend contracts with more than one season remaining -- a nonnegotiable team policy on which they've held firm over the years," Henderson explained. "That's why it was a nonstarter when their previous quarterback, Geno Smith, wanted a new deal in 2024, as he was entering the second season of a three-year deal."

According to Henderson, Smith-Njigba's situation differed from Darnold's since the receiver's rookie deal carried an option year that doesn't apply to the Seahawks' policy. That said, few would argue that Darnold played beyond the value of his existing agreement as he guided Seattle to a 14-3 regular-season record and then to three straight postseason wins. 

How underpaid is Sam Darnold after Super Bowl win? 

Per Pro Football Reference stats, Darnold finished this past regular season ranked fifth in the NFL with 4,048 passing yards and tied for ninth with 25 passing touchdowns. He was 11th among qualified players with a 99.1 passer rating and 19th with a 55.6 adjusted QBR. 

"The $33.5M average of the three-year, $100.5M deal he signed as a free agent last March ranks 15th in terms of annual salaries for quarterbacks," Henderson wrote about Darnold's contract. "It's a bargain for a QB coming off a Pro Bowl season and a Super Bowl victory."

For what it's worth, Darnold seems fine with playing on the terms of his current agreement through next winter. If he produces yet another stellar season, the Seahawks could ultimately have millions of reasons to revisit their policy regarding contract extensions.