Seahawks Exercise Fifth-Year Options on Top 2023 Picks

Seattle locks in wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon for 2027 season.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:06am

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The Seattle Seahawks have officially exercised the fifth-year options on the rookie contracts of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, both of whom were first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. This will keep the two young stars under team control through the 2027 season.

Why it matters

Exercising the fifth-year option is a common practice for teams to retain top draft picks beyond their initial four-year rookie deals. This gives the Seahawks more time to negotiate long-term extensions with Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon, who have both emerged as core players for the franchise.

The details

Smith-Njigba, the 20th overall pick in 2023, will earn a fully guaranteed salary of $23.852 million in 2027. Witherspoon, the 5th overall selection, will make $21.161 million that same season. Both players are expected to seek new lucrative contracts in the coming years, with Smith-Njigba potentially aiming to become the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver.

  • The Seahawks announced the fifth-year option decisions on March 21, 2026.
  • The fifth-year option deadline for 2023 draft picks is May 1, 2026.

The players

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

A wide receiver drafted 20th overall by the Seahawks in 2023, who was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2025.

Devon Witherspoon

A cornerback drafted 5th overall by the Seahawks in 2023, who has emerged as a lockdown defensive back for the team.

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What’s next

The Seahawks will now look to sign Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon to long-term contract extensions, likely before the 2026 season.

The takeaway

By exercising the fifth-year options on their 2023 first-round picks, the Seahawks have secured the services of two of their young stars for an additional season, giving them more time to work out lucrative new deals and keep the core of their team intact.