Seahawks Projected to Spend $76M on Top WR and CB Contracts

ESPN predicts big paydays for Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon in Seattle

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:20pm

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The Seattle Seahawks are facing hefty contract extensions for star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, with ESPN's Bill Barnwell predicting the combined value of their new deals could reach around $76 million per year. Smith-Njigba is coming off an All-Pro and Offensive Player of the Year season, while Witherspoon has made the Pro Bowl three times in his young career.

Why it matters

Retaining top talent is crucial for the Seahawks after their Super Bowl 60 win, but these massive contracts for just two players will put a significant strain on their salary cap. The team will need to carefully manage its roster and finances to remain competitive in the long run.

The details

Smith-Njigba is expected to command a deal in the $40 million per year range after his breakout 2025 season, while Witherspoon could reset the cornerback market with a contract exceeding $31 million per year. The Seahawks will need to weigh the value of keeping their star players against the overall roster implications of dedicating so much cap space to just two positions.

  • Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon are both set to become free agents after the 2026 season.

The players

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

A star wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, Smith-Njigba is coming off an All-Pro and Offensive Player of the Year season in 2025 with 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

Devon Witherspoon

A lockdown cornerback for the Seahawks, Witherspoon has made the Pro Bowl three times in his first three NFL seasons and was a second-team All-Pro in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“The combined going rate for JSN and Witherspoon on their new deals should be something in the ballpark of $76 million per-year.”

— Bill Barnwell, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Seahawks will need to prioritize re-signing Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon this offseason, while also finding ways to manage their salary cap to field a competitive roster around their two star players.

The takeaway

The Seahawks' success has come at a price, as they now face the challenge of retaining their top talent while maintaining a balanced roster. Their ability to navigate these contract negotiations will be crucial in determining the team's long-term outlook.