Rising Seahawks star eyes top WR paycheck before new deal

The NFL wide receiver market might be heating up again, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is happily holding the matchstick. The Seattle Seahawks standout is eligible for a contract extension, and his goal is crystal clear: become the highest-paid wide receiver in the league.

What makes it fun is the balance in his mindset. On one side, pure love for football. On the other, a growing appreciation for business. JSN knows passion doesn’t pay the bills, and he’s leaning into that reality with confidence.

“I would play this game for free,” he added. “I love this game so much. But you don’t have to, and I’m learning to be a good businessman, and we need that check at the end of the day.”

Translation: love the game, but love direct deposits too. Very modern athlete energy.

Right now, Ja’Marr Chase sits atop the salary rankings with about $40.3M annually, while Justin Jefferson leads wide receivers in guaranteed money. So if JSN wants the throne, the contract will need to be massive.

Performance wise, he has the résumé. After a monster season with 1,793 receiving yards, he captured the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. In other words, the confidence isn’t random — it’s backed by production.

Before any extension, Seattle’s first move is likely picking up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, which would keep him under contract through 2027. But waiting can be risky. Receiver prices rarely drop, and delaying negotiations could mean paying even more later. With strong cap space, the Seahawks are actually in a position to strike now.

JSN isn’t rushing, though. He seems calm, almost certain that the payday is inevitable.

JSN says in an interview with @JonahJavad that he believes he deserves to be the highest-paid WR in the NFL. JSN is extension eligible but says he’s not “too pressed” about getting it done now.

“I know my time is coming and when we get it done it's going to be a great deal.” pic.twitter.com/INFFVAMI5B
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) February 20, 2026

The vibe is simple: the clock is ticking, the market is rising, and JSN believes the big check is just a matter of time.