The Seahawks are one step closer to keeping their young core intact.
Seattle is exercising the fifth-year options on wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, the team announced on Friday.
Smith-Njigba's fully guaranteed option is projected to be roughly $23.852 million while Witherspoon's option is projected to be $21.161 million, per Over The Cap.
Teams have until May 1 to pick up the fifth-year options on first-round picks from the 2023 NFL Draft. Seattle is the first team this offseason to use the fifth-year option. The move keeps Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon under contract in Seattle for at least the next two seasons.
Smith-Njigba, 24, was instrumental in Seattle's quest to Super Bowl LX. The 20th overall pick of 2023 has developed into one of the league's best receivers with his quick burst of speed. The two-time Pro Bowler had a career-year with 119 receptions, 1,793 receiving yards (league leading) and 10 touchdowns, including a First-Team All-Pro honor and winning Offensive Player of the Year.
After winning the Lombardi Trophy, JSN made it known that he was not "pressed" into getting a new contract extension but believes he deserves to be the highest-paid WR in the NFL.
Before selecting JSN in 2023, the Seahawks selected Witherspoon with the No. 5 overall pick. The 25-year-old has been one of the best corners with his ability to blitz and wreak havoc for Mike Macdonald's defense. Witherspoon has made the three consecutive Pro Bowls since he entered the league.
Despite seeing key contributors sign elsewhere in free agency, the Seahawks are making sure their homegrown talented duo stay in Seattle for the foreseeable future.
