Hey, how about some more Seattle Seahawks news during the “quiet” part of the offseason? John Schneider and the Seahawks have gone from never using the fifth-year option on their first-round picks to making it three in the span of two years.
As expected, 2023 first-rounders Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon have both had their options exercised, which puts them both under contract through the end of the 2027 season.
Seattle didn’t need to make a decision until May 1, so this should tell you quite a bit about the plan to extend both star receiver and cornerback at some point later this year. When Charles Cross’ option was picked up, it wasn’t until late April.
How much Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon’s fifth-year options cost
Smith-Njigba’s fifth-year option is valued at $23,852,000, while Witherspoon’s is $21,161,000. All fifth-year options are straightforward, fully guaranteed salaries. If for some reason neither contract extension gets done by the end of this season, both JSN and Witherspoon would be entering next year playing exclusively on the option.
Who are the current highest paid players at receiver and corner in the NFL?
Coming off an Offensive Player of the Year award and a unanimous first-team All-Pro selection, JSN is surely going to be paid like he’s the best receiver in the league. That distinction belongs to Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals, who’s still the only receiver north of $40 million/year.
Witherspoon is a three-time Pro Bowl selection (without alternate selections) and he’s undeniably one of the best corners in the game; he’s more than “just a slot corner” in Mike Macdonald’s defense. Trent McDuffie, recently acquired by the Los Angeles Rams, just became the NFL’s highest paid corner at $31 million/year and a reported $100 million guaranteed out of his $124 million overall deal.
Seattle took care of left tackle Charles Cross’ extension just before Seattle’s run to the Super Bowl, we’ll see if JSN and ‘Spoon get their money even sooner than that.
