Former Ohio State Wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba Signs Extension With Seattle To Become Highest-Paid Receiver In NFL History

The Seattle Seahawks are locking down their franchise wide receiver, extending Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a record-setting four-year, $168.6 million deal to make the former Buckeye the highest-paid receiver in NFL history, according to multiple reports.

After Seattle exercised Smith-Njigba’s fifth-year option for the 2027 season, which is worth approximately $23.9 million, last Friday, the receiver’s new contract will extend him through the 2031 season.

The contract’s average annual value is listed at $42.15 million, with the Seahawks wideout having $120 million guaranteed on the deal.

The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and 2025 First-team All-Pro is coming off a career-best season where he led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards, while adding 119 catches, 10 touchdowns and helping Seattle to a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots to claim Super Bowl LX.

Coming out of Ohio State, Smith-Njigba was the 20th selection in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks and has played in all 51 games for the Team since, catching 282 passes for 3,551 yards and 20 touchdowns in his three-year career.

Prior to his NFL career, Smith-Njigba spent three seasons with the Buckeyes from 2020-22, where he hauled in 110 receptions for 1,698 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his 2021 campaign at Ohio State, Smith-Njigba set two single-season school records with 95 catches for 1,606 yards to go along with nine receiving touchdowns.

In the Buckeyes Rose Bowl victory over Utah on Jan. 1, 2022, Smith-Njigba also became Ohio State’s single-game yardage and receptions leader with a 15-catch, 347-yard performance in the 48-45 victory over the Utes.