The Seattle Seahawks have reportedly extended star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with a four-year $168.6 million dollar contract extension. Smith-Njigba is now the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL, but will that record hold, or should fans expect the Los Angeles Rams to pass that number if/when they extend their own stud receiver in Puka Nacua?
There are real parallels between Smith-Njigba and Nacua as each entered the NFL via draft in 2023, and though Nacua had one of the best rookie seasons
ever, JSN showed flashes right away and has made a case for himself as one of the best receivers in all the NFL.
Both players have shown improvement over their playing careers, and it was expected this offseason that each player would earn an extension going into their Year 4, and reshape the WR market. So far, the Seahawks and Smith-Njigba have done exactly that.
Now, it’s a question of when will the Rams extend Nacua? And will Nacua become the highest paid wide receiver ever, or will he fall a bit short of the record setting extension that Jaxon just signed?
In three seasons JSN has put up over 3,500 receiving yards to go with 20 touchdowns. Nacua has passed 4,100 yards, but only has 19 touchdowns, and Jaxon is the player with the Super Bowl victory while Nacua has yet to win a NFC Championship Game. There are fair arguments to be made about why each player may be more valuable than the other, but they are going into 2026 as two of the best receivers in the league, and it’s likely they’ll be paid accordingly.
Jaxon’s new deal reflects his value as Seattle’s best weapon offense.
Of course, the Rams could trade Nacua prior to any extension, but regardless, after seeing the payday JSN just earned, Nacua and his team should be salivating at the type of deal they could be able to make happen. It likely won’t be far off from JSN’s, and it could end up being worth even more.
Stay tuned, the Rams aren’t done with their offseason yet.
