Inside the Jaxon Smith-Njigba deal
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The Seattle Seahawks signed wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a four-year contract extension worth a new-money average of $42.15 million per year, surpassing the previous receiver record held by Ja’Marr Chase.
- The total payout over six years, including the extension and prior contract years, is approximately $195.17 million, with $69.13 million fully guaranteed at signing and $120.07 million guaranteed for injury.
- The contract includes a $35 million signing bonus and escalating base salaries and bonuses through 2031, with significant guaranteed money in the first three years totaling $88.82 million.
- Smith-Njigba secured his extension after three NFL seasons, avoiding the injury risk of playing a fourth year on a rookie contract at a low salary, a benefit for teams delaying extensions until after year three.
- This approach contrasts with other top receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, who signed extensions after their fourth seasons, highlighting a trend where proven first-round picks ideally receive contract extensions before their fourth year.
