Seahawks Star Smith-Njigba Believes He Should Be NFL’s Highest-Paid Receiver

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba says he deserves to become the NFL's highest-paid player at his position following his outstanding 2025 season. The 24-year-old led the league with 1,793 receiving yards and helped the Seahawks capture their second Super Bowl title.

After completing three years of his initial NFL contract, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has become eligible for a new deal.

The 2025 AP Offensive Player of the Year isn’t rushing contract negotiations, but he believes his performance warrants becoming the league’s top-paid wide receiver.

“I’m really not too pressed right now to get it done,” Smith-Njigba shared with WFAA-TV. “I know my time is coming, and when we get it done it’s gonna be a great deal. God’s timing is perfect timing, so whenever that may come, we’ll be ready for it. I think I deserve to be the highest-paid at my position, just what I give to the game and the community, I give it my all. And I think that’s worth a lot, lot more.”

The receiver, who celebrated his 24th birthday last Saturday, has one year left on his original four-year, $14.4 million rookie agreement.

“I would play this game for free, I love this game so much, but you don’t have to,” he explained. “I’m learning to be a good businessman, and we need that check at the end of the day.”

Smith-Njigba earned the right to seek a major contract after topping the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards during the 2025 regular season. His impressive campaign included 119 catches and 10 touchdowns, earning him his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.

His excellence continued into the playoffs, where he accumulated 199 yards and two touchdowns across three postseason contests, helping Seattle claim the organization’s second Super Bowl championship.

Throughout his career spanning 51 games with 36 starts, Smith-Njigba has recorded 282 receptions for 3,551 yards and 20 touchdowns since Seattle drafted him 20th overall from Ohio State in 2023.

Currently, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, age 25, holds the title of highest-paid wide receiver with an annual salary of $40.25 million from the four-year, $161 million extension he signed last March.