The Seattle Seahawks have taken a significant step toward preserving their young core, announcing they will exercise the fifth-year options on Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon.
The move keeps both former first-round picks under contract through at least the next two seasons and makes Seattle the first team this offseason to pick up fifth-year options from the 2023 draft class. Teams have until May 1 to make those decisions, and the Seahawks wasted little time securing two of their foundational players.
Smith-Njigba‘s option is projected to be worth approximately $23.852 million, while Witherspoon‘s is expected to come in around $21.161 million, according to Over The Cap. Both figures are fully guaranteed and signal that larger, long-term deals could be on the horizon.
One of the premier receivers in the league stays in Seattle
Smith-Njigba, 24, has rapidly developed into one of the league’s premier receivers. The 20th overall pick in 2023 played a pivotal role in Seattle’s run to Super Bowl LX, putting together a career season with a league-leading 1,793 receiving yards, 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns.
His performance earned him Offensive Player of the Year honors, a unanimous All-Pro selection and his second Pro Bowl appearance. Despite his rise, Smith-Njigba has indicated he is not rushing contract talks, even as he believes he has a case to become the highest-paid receiver in the NFL.
On the defensive side, Witherspoon has been equally impactful. Selected fifth overall in the same draft, the 25-year-old has become a cornerstone in head coach Mike Macdonald’s system. Known for his ability to blitz and disrupt opposing offenses, Witherspoon has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his first three seasons and continues to establish himself among the league’s top cornerbacks.
A clear priority for Seattle’s front office
The decision to lock in both players reflects a clear priority for Seattle‘s front office. After seeing several contributors depart in free agency, the organization is focusing on retaining its homegrown talent and maintaining continuity on both sides of the ball.
By securing Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon for the near future, the Seahawks have reinforced a roster built around young, elite playmakers, positioning themselves to remain competitive while preparing for the next wave of contract negotiations.
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