SEATTLE — The Super Bowl LX confetti just finished settling on the turf, but the Seattle Seahawks refuse to hit the brakes. On Friday, the front office executed the easiest, most aggressive move of the 2026 offseason. They officially exercised the Seahawks fifth-year options for superstar wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and lockdown cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
This transaction keeps two of the league’s most lethal talents in the Pacific Northwest through the 2027 season. Instead of sweating out premature extension talks, Seattle just bought itself precious time to structure long-term mega-deals.
General Manager John Schneider drafted these two phenomenons in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. That specific vision just yielded a Lombardi Trophy. Now, the franchise is rewarding their elite production with elite financial security.
Smith-Njigba completely obliterated defensive schemes during his 2025 Offensive Player of the Year campaign. The 24-year-old posted absolute video-game numbers: 119 receptions, a league-leading 1,793 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. He didn’t just run routes; he snapped ankles and left cornerbacks grasping at stadium air. You could feel the electric hum in Lumen Field every single time the ball spun his way. He proved he is a true No. 1 receiver capable of carrying an offense.
On the other side of the ball, Witherspoon remains an absolute enforcer. A knee injury cost him five games last season, but the 25-year-old still racked up 72 combined tackles, 0.5 sacks, one interception, and a fumble recovery. He attacks ball carriers like a heat-seeking missile. Watching him blow up a screen pass in the flat brings a visceral thrill to the “12s” in the stands. His raw intensity sets the brutal, physical tone for Mike Macdonald’s entire defensive unit.
“I know my worth, and we just brought a ring to this city. The contract stuff handles itself when you dominate on the grass. Right now, I’m just enjoying the view from the top.”
— Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks Wide Receiver
This dual transaction buys Seattle critical negotiating runway while establishing the market floor. JSN’s fully guaranteed 2027 option projects around $23.85 million, while Witherspoon’s sits near $21.2 million. For premium, All-Pro talent, those are bargain rates.
The Seahawks currently hold all the leverage. They keep their championship window wide open without immediately gutting their salary cap. Expect Seattle to aggressively pursue a massive, record-setting extension for Smith-Njigba before next offseason. The wide receiver market explodes higher every year; locking him down early prevents a massive future cap headache. For Witherspoon, another healthy, Pro Bowl-caliber season will easily give him the ammunition to become the highest-paid cornerback in football history.
Opposing teams hoping for a Super Bowl hangover just got a harsh reality check. Seattle’s core remains completely intact, hungry, and ready to defend the throne.
