The Seattle Seahawks took care of a major to-do list item by inking Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a massive long-term contract.
The challenge Seahawks now face after huge JSN extension
Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks reportedly agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million extension on Monday that averages $42.15 million per year, which makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. The deal will keep him under contract with Seattle through 2031, given that the Seahawks also exercised the 2027 fifth-year option on his rookie contract last Friday.
With Smith-Njigba’s deal complete and with the dust settled from the initial wave of free agency, it’s a good time to look at where the Seahawks’ salary cap situation now stands for 2026.
According to Over The Cap, the Seahawks now have approximately $32 million in cap space, which is the eighth-most among NFL teams. They also have the sixth-most effective salary cap space at $28.8 million – an estimate that factors in money needed to pay this year’s rookie class. The Seahawks currently own four picks in next month’s NFL Draft.
In terms of cap space, Smith-Njigba’s megadeal didn’t tilt the scales too much for 2026. OTC projects his 2026 cap hit to be roughly $10.4 million, which is a $5.8 million increase from his previous 2026 cap number.
But of course, that will change in the coming years. Smith-Njigba’s cap hits increase to approximately $15.6 million in 2027, $32.9 million in 2028, $36.5 million in 2029, $48.8 million for 2030 and $50.3 million for 2031.
More on the Seattle Seahawks
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• Why Seattle Seahawks were ‘wise’ to get JSN megadeal done now
• Report: Seattle Seahawks make JSN highest-paid WR in NFL history
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