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How Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s contract extension impacts Seahawks

Published

2 months ago

March 24, 2026

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How Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s contract extension impacts Seahawks

Brady Henderson
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Brady Henderson

ESPN
,
Dan Graziano
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Dan Graziano

senior NFL national reporter
,
Jeremy Fowler
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Jeremy Fowler

senior NFL national reporter

Multiple Authors

Mar 23, 2026, 05:30 PM ET

The Seattle Seahawks made Jaxon Smith-Njigba the NFL’s highest-paid receiver on Monday — and they did it without a whiff of the acrimony that came with other megadeals in their recent past.

The last time they made a nonspecialist the top-paid player at his position, it ended a monthslong contract dispute with safety Jamal Adams, who sat out the first three weeks of training camp in 2021.

In 2019, linebacker Bobby Wagner staged his own offseason hold-in while awaiting a top-of-the-market deal. It got done early in training camp, but with Wagner serving as his own agent, negotiations with one of the best players in franchise history got awkward.

Earlier that same year, quarterback Russell Wilson set an April 15 deadline for an extension, saying he’d play out the final year of his deal if a new one wasn’t secured by then. General manager John Schneider had to bounce between draft meetings and the negotiating table before an agreement was reached at the 11th hour to make Wilson the highest-paid player in the NFL.

There was no such drama between the Seahawks and Smith-Njigba, 24, as the two sides worked toward a deal that tops Wilson’s for the richest in team history. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it’s a four-year, $168.6 million extension that includes over $120 million in guarantees.

Given the history, that a contract of this magnitude got done as quickly as it did might be surprising. At the same time, it makes sense given the player in question.

Smith-Njigba is an embodiment of the “Mission Over Bulls—“ mantra the Seahawks adopted last season during their run to Super Bowl LX. Those who know Smith-Njigba well say he’s genuinely more invested in the team’s success than his personal accomplishments.

After leading the NFL in receiving in 2025, making his second straight Pro Bowl and being named AP Offensive Player of the Year, Smith-Njigba helped the Seahawks claim the second Lombardi Trophy in the franchise’s history.

Now he has a record-setting contract to go with it.

NFL Nation Seahawks reporter Brady Henderson and senior NFL national reporters Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano break down what Smith-Njigba’s deal means for the Seahawks … and a rival West Coast receiver who is also waiting for an extension.

Why did the Seahawks extend JSN now, after exercising his fifth-year option last week?

The Seahawks always planned to pick up Smith-Njigba’s fifth-year option and negotiate an extension. The timing of this deal, though, is atypical for an organization that usually waits until later in the offseason to work out extensions, as was the case in recent years with players such as right tackle Abraham Lucas (2025), safety Julian Love (2024), outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (2023) and wide receiver DK Metcalf (2022).

Perhaps the Seahawks were motivated to get ahead of the wide receiver market, securing an extension for Smith-Njigba lest they wait and have to top whatever number Puka Nacua gets on his megadeal from the Los Angeles Rams. — Henderson

What does this mean for CB Devon Witherspoon and subsequent moves for Seattle?

With the Smith-Njigba deal done, expect the Seahawks to turn their attention to an extension for Witherspoon, a fellow 2023 first-round pick and a tone setter on the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense. Seattle also picked up Witherspoon’s fifth-year option last week at a projected cost of around $21.12 million for 2027.

The Rams gave Trent McDuffie a four-year, $124 million extension after acquiring him in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs — which complicates things for the Seahawks. The deal makes McDuffie the league’s top-paid corner at an average of $31 million per season, a number Witherspoon is now in position to top.

Witherspoon’s résumé is stronger than McDuffie’s, with an initial-ballot Pro Bowl berth in each of his first three seasons. Had it not been for running back Kenneth Walker III totaling 161 yards in Super Bowl LX, Witherspoon — with a sack and another hit that led to a pick-six — might have been the game’s MVP.

Seattle may have already been prepared to make Witherspoon the game’s top-paid corner, but McDuffie’s deal raised that benchmark.

That helps explain the restraint the Seahawks showed in free agency seemingly in preparation for these extensions. While they were never expected to make serious efforts to keep cornerback Riq Woolen or outside linebacker Boye Mafe, they also let Walker and safety Coby Bryant walk for deals they could have fit under their cap.

But it’s one thing to have enough cap space. Teams also need cash, and the Seahawks — assuming they extend Witherspoon — will be committing a ton of it up front in the form of signing bonuses for two top-of-the-market deals. — Henderson

Could QB Sam Darnold get a new deal, too?

Not until next year. Darnold certainly has a case for a raise. The $33.5 million average of the three-year, $100.5 million deal he signed as a free agent last March ranks 15th in terms of annual salaries for quarterbacks. It’s a bargain for a QB coming off a Pro Bowl season and a Super Bowl victory.

But the Seahawks do not extend contracts with more than one season remaining — a nonnegotiable team policy on which they’ve held firm over the years. That’s why it was a nonstarter when their previous quarterback, Geno Smith, wanted a new deal in 2024, as he was entering the second season of a three-year deal.

When asked at the NFL combine if Darnold could get an extension this offseason, Schneider stated, “Sam signed a three-year deal.”

Technically, Smith-Njigba had two years remaining on his rookie contract once his option was exercised, as does Witherspoon. But Schneider has clarified that option years don’t apply to the team’s rule. — Henderson

What does this mean for Rams’ discussions with Nacua?

The impact is immense. Smith-Njigba and Nacua are 2023 draft mates with similar production through three NFL seasons. (Smith-Njigba has the receptions edge and a slight win in receiving touchdowns, 20 to 19, but Nacua has more yards.)

There’s no question that Nacua and his agents will use Smith-Njigba’s benchmark as a suitable comp, but getting there might not be easy. The Rams aren’t afraid of tough negotiations. They made Aaron Donald hold out years ago in order to get his deal and dangled a trade for Matthew Stafford last offseason before eventually sweetening his deal.

Nacua and the Rams have plenty of time to execute a potential extension and there’s no real rush. But Smith-Njigba’s contract definitely helps Nacua — unless Los Angeles finds the ballooning receiver market, which is up about 280% over the past decade, untenable. The flip side: The Rams identified Nacua as a star very early in his career and knew this day was coming. — Fowler

Is JSN’s contract structured to limit the immediate payout with eventual new ownership in mind?

The structure is favorable for the team, but I don’t think it’s because the team is being sold. In talking to people with knowledge of this and other Seahawks negotiations this offseason, I’ve been told the pending new ownership change has no impact on the business the Seahawks are doing right now.

The Seahawks have very rigid principles when it comes to veteran contract negotiations. Specifically, they do not guarantee any money outside of the first year of the deal. In the case of Smith-Njigba, however, he already had $23.852 million fully guaranteed for 2027 because they’d picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. This is why his 2027 money is guaranteed at signing in an apparent departure from the Seahawks’ self-imposed rules.

Seattle will pay Smith-Njigba $36.5 million in 2026 — a $35 million signing bonus, a $1.25 million base salary and a $250,000 workout bonus. They’ll pay him $32.63 million in 2027, including a $30 million option bonus, a $1.53 million salary, a $250,000 workout bonus and $850,000 in per-game roster bonuses (assuming he plays all 17 games in 2027). After that, the 2028 money is guaranteed for injury only and doesn’t become fully guaranteed until five days after Super Bowl 62, which is scheduled to be played in February 2028.

It’s also interesting to note how the Smith-Njigba structure fits into the Seahawks’ overall payroll picture. The extension they did for left tackle Charles Cross earlier this year included a $25 million signing bonus and a $15 million 2026 option bonus, plus an additional $8 million option bonus in 2028.

Smith-Njigba’s contract includes option bonuses in 2027 and 2029, staggering them on the odd years while Cross’ are in the even years, presumably to even out the year-to-year cash spend. Given the Seahawks appear to have adopted an every-other-year option bonus structure in these big-money deals, it’ll be interesting to see which years of the inevitable Witherspoon extension include big option bonuses.

That’s a long way of saying no but also illustrating the ways in which the Seahawks have structured this deal as part of an overall cap management and cash budgeting process that will help the current owners as well as the eventual new ones. — Graziano

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Cedric Alexander becomes new TNA X Division champion, crushing Leon Slater’s history-making attempt

Published

6 hours ago

May 15, 2026

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All eyes were on the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) X Division Championship on Thursday night as Leon Slater looked to retain the title over Cedric Alexander and solidify himself as the longest-reigning X Division champion in the company’s history.

Slater knew a legacy was on the line as he looked to break a record set by Austin Aries. But he needed to pin Alexander twice in one match to retain the title. It was a steep mountain to climb as Alexander had been just as dangerous since he entered the company.

The match started off hot with Slater and Alexander trading blows to begin the match. But a quick-thinking Slater rolled up Alexander quickly for the first fall.

Mike Santana, Eric Young, Matt Cardona, Moose, Mance Warner, Steph De Lander, Cedric Alexander, Zachary Wentz, Steve Maclin, and Frankie Kazarian entering the ring

Cedric Alexander in the ring during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 23, 2025. (Bradlee Rutledge/WWE)

Alexander was able to go on offense from there. He hit a nasty German suplex on the outside of the ring. He continued to work on Slater’s tweaked neck. He later hit a Lumbar Check to tie the match at 1-1.

Slater went deep into his bag. He hit an avalanche Styles Clash, which could have kept anyone else down. However, Alexander kicked out. Alexander was able to counter Slater’s high-flying abilities just for a moment and knocked him back out of the ring.

Alexander sent Slater into the steel steps, leaving him busted open. Alexander declared that he would be the “greatest” X Division champion. One brainbuster later, Alexander tried to pin Slater, but couldn’t get him down.

Alexander hit a Lumbar Check again, but Slater kicked out. Slater mustered up the last ounce of energy. A tilt-a-whirl slam set Alexander up for a swanton 450. Slater missed and Alexander hit another Lumbar Check, and then again.

Leon Slater entering the WWE Performance Center arena in Orlando, Florida

Leon Slater enters the arena during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 6, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)

Alexander pinned Slater for the win, completely shocking the fans in Sacramento, California. It will be the first reign for Alexander and his first title of any kind in TNA.

Alexander is a reminder, at least for TNA, that “The System always wins.”

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Fabian Aichner appears

Giovanni Vinci walking to the ring at WWE SmackDown event in Sacramento

Fabian Aichner, formerly known as Giovanni Vinci, makes his way to the ring during WWE SmackDown at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 20, 2024. (WWE/Getty Images)

Moments before TNA went off the air, the lights went out in the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Emerging from the darkness was Fabian Aichner.

Aichner stared down Alexander and appeared to name himself the next challenger for the X Division Championship. Aichner, known as Giovanni Vinci for much of his run in WWE, hadn’t really been seen or heard from in months since his departure from WWE.

Aichner wrestled under his real name for a stint in WWE before he came back as Vinci in June 22. He was with WWE until 2025. He was a two-time NXT tag team champion and an Evolve champion before it became a WWE brand.

Eric Young earns future shot at TNA World Championship

Eric Young outlasted nine other men in an over-the-top battle royal and earned a shot at Mike Santana’s TNA World Championship to start the show.

The match came down to him and Elijah after the latter was able to toss members of The System out of the ring while also avoiding Frankie Kazarian trying to get back into the match following his own elimination.

Young and Elijah came to blows on the apron, knowing that as soon as their feet touch the ground, they would be eliminated. Young grabbed onto Elijah’s hair to try to hang onto the moment. Elijah broke away with Young’s back turned to him. Elijah, however, didn’t account for his wide stance.

The TNA original kicked Elijah in the groin and pushed him down to the ground. Young won the match and received a shot to win the TNA World Championship in the future.

He also made clear that Santana was next on his list of people to wipe out as he did to Joe Hendry, EC3 and Ricky Sosa in weeks past.

“Mike Santana, you’re gone next,” he declared.

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Mike Santana learns his next opponent

Mike Santana standing in the wrestling ring at WWE Performance Center

Mike Santana stands in the ring during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 30, 2025. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE)

Mike Santana came out to address the crowd and praised Young for his efforts to help build TNA from the ground up.

“You better be coming with something different because while you may be someone who helped build this place, when it comes to the new era of TNA on AMC, I’m the guy. I’m the man. I’m the one who holds down the fort week after week as your TNA world champion.”

While Young might have earned a title shot, Daria Rae came out and revealed to the crowd that Steve Maclin was cleared to return to action following an injury at the hands of Santana.

Maclin will get a shot at Santana’s TNA World Championship next week on “Impact.”

Santino Marella also came out during the segment after he was “suspended.” He revealed that Indi Harwell re-signed with TNA.

Lei Ying Lee, Xia Brookside rivalry heats up

Xia Brookside attending a movie screening at Regal Waterford Lakes in Orlando, Florida

Xia Brookside attends the “Freelance” screening at Regal Waterford Lakes in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 24, 2023. (Jose Devillegas/Getty Images)

Lei Ying Lee brought the TNA Knockouts Championship back home last week with a win over Arianna Grace. She addressed the crowd before being interrupted by her former best friend, Xia Brookside.

In all black, Brookside claimed she was already in Lei’s head.

“You’re such a fraud. I’ve destroyed you mentally, I’ve destroyed you emotionally, I’ve destroyed you physically, and that title will be around my waist.”

Both competitors tossed expletives at each other before the segment was over. But Brookside made clear that she had her eyes on the title.

AJ Francis prevails over KC Navarro

A.J. Francis told Fox News Digital before the SacTown Street Fight on “Impact” that he was going to bring the pain to Navarro.

While wearing “Show Stealer” across his back, Francis did just that. Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can.

Francis was able to turn the tide for a few moments, using the baseball bat to his advantage. But Navarro dug deep. He aligned six chairs in the ring, hoping to splash Francis through it. Instead, Francis countered and attempted an avalanche Down Payment. Somehow, Navarro countered with a cutter as both men crashed through the sea of chairs.

It looked like it could’ve been it. Navarro went for the pin, but only got a two count.

Francis turned on the heat from there. He got ahold of Navarro and hit a Down Payment through tables lined up on the outside of the ring.

He rolled Navarro back into the ring and picked up the pinfall victory.

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“Impact” match results

Eric Young wins the 10-man battle royal to earn a shot at the TNA World Championship.
A.J. Francis def. KC Navarro in a SacTown Street Fight.
Rosemary and Allie def. Veronica Crawford and Mila Moore
Cedric Alexander def. Leon Slater to win the X Division Championship.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Next Team Odds: Will ‘Greek Freak’ Finally Leave MIL?

Published

14 hours ago

May 14, 2026

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Next Team Odds: Will ‘Greek Freak’ Finally Leave MIL?

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The Greek Freak could soon be on an odyssey out of Milwaukee.

Where could Giannis Antetokounmpo land next? Here are the latest odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 14.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Giannis Antetokounmpo next team

Bucks: +125 (bet $10 to win $22.50 total)
Celtics: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)
Heat: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Warriors: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Cavaliers: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Knicks: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Blazers: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Wolves: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)

During Antetokounmpo’s 12 years in the league, he has been named the regular-season MVP twice, won an NBA title and was named finals MVP.

However, since the Bucks won that title at the end of the 2020-21 season, things have progressively gone downhill.

The following season, Milwaukee lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Boston Celtics in seven games. Then, the Bucks did not make it past the first round in three consecutive seasons.

This season, Milwaukee missed the postseason entirely.

Where do the Bucks go from here? Is it time to trade their franchise cornerstone?

Reports have circulated across the basketball universe for over a year that the two sides don’t see an alternate solution, and just this week, Shams Charania reported that a trade is once again on the table this offseason.

If they do decide to restart their roster, the offers for Antetokounmpo will be hefty. Second on the board are the Celtics, who might consider parting ways with Jaylen Brown after a first-round exit in this year’s playoffs. Brown made waves after that postseason exit by exclaiming that this season was his favorite as a professional, despite Boston’s untimely defeat and Jayson Tatum missing a majority of the season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles.

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Pakistan secure unassailable series lead after beating Zimbabwe in 2nd T20I

Published

15 hours ago

May 14, 2026

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Pakistan secure unassailable series lead after beating Zimbabwe in 2nd T20I

Pakistan players celebrate a wicket during their second T20I against Zimbabwe at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on May 14, 2026. — PCB

Pakistan sealed a 67-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20I, powered by Eyman Fatima’s unbeaten half-century and a disciplined bowling display, at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Thursday.

The victory helped Pakistan secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, whose final fixture will be played at the same venue on Friday.

Set to chase a daunting 171-run target, the touring side could accumulate 103/8 in their 20 overs and thus succumbed to a series-conceding defeat.

Captain Nomvelo Sibanda remained the top-scorer for the Chevrons with an unbeaten 18 off 37 deliveries, followed by No 10 batter Kudzai Chigora, who made 14 not out.

Besides them, Adel Zimunu, Lindokuhle Mabhero, 12 each, Beloved Biza (11) and Natasha Mtomba (10) could amass double figures against a disciplined Pakistan bowling attack.

Nashra Sandhu was the standout bowler for Pakistan, as she took two wickets for just 18 runs in her three overs, while Sadia Iqbal, Tuba Hassan, Ayesha Zafar, Natalia Pervaiz and captain Fatima Sana chipped in with one scalp apiece.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s decision to bat first eventually proved beneficial as the home side piled up 170/4 in their 20 overs, courtesy of an unbeaten 78-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Eyman and Natalia Pervaiz.

The Green Shirts got off to a brief flying start to their innings as their opening pair of Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza (nine) put together 27 runs before the latter fell victim to Michelle Mavunga on the third delivery of the fifth over.

Pakistan then suffered two more setbacks to their batting expedition as the last match’s centurion, Ayesha Zafar and returning Iram Javed could muster four and five respectively.

With the scoreboard reading 46/3 in 7.4 overs, Eyman joined set batter Muneeba in the middle, and the duo batted sensibly to add 46 runs for the fourth wicket until the opener was dismissed by Lindokuhle Mabhero in the 14th over, walking back after scoring a 33-ball 36 with the help of four fours.

Following her departure, Eyman joined forces with batting all-rounder Natalia, and the duo ensured a dominant finish with the bat for Pakistan by knitting an unbeaten 78-run stand.

Eyman, who dominated the crucial stand, remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with an unbeaten 79 off 43 deliveries, studded with 10 fours and four sixes, while Natalia contributed with 24 not out from 19 balls, comprising three fours.

For Zimbabwe, Precious Marange, Mabhero and Mavunga picked up one wicket apiece.

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