Seahawks exercise 5th-year options for Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon

The top two Seattle Seahawks players from the 2023 NFL draft are staying put in the Emerald City. On Friday evening, the Seahawks announced they were exercising the fifth year options for cornerback Devon Witherspoon and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. As first round picks, the team is awarded this opportunity to keep them on the team-friendly rookie deal for an extra year if they wish, but they must exercise after the player's third year.

Seattle exercising the fifth year options for JSN and Witherspoon was certainly predictable. Both players have far exceeded their already lofty expectations and are quickly making the case they are on their way to being some of the best Seahawks of all-time. In 2025, JSN was the first Seahawk to be named Offensive Player of the Year, as he led the entire NFL with 1,793 receiving yards, along with ten touchdowns.

As for Witherspoon, he has been a Pro Bowler in each of his first three years in the league. While he may not be lighting up the stat sheet, that is more of a result of teams generally throwing the ball away from wherever he is roaming. Still, despite his slender frame, he is among the most physical corners in the game.

In fact, there is quite the case to be made he should have been named Super Bowl LX MVP, as his constant pressure of Drake Maye led to the game-sealing pick-six from Uchenna Nwosu. The Seahawks are reportedly prioritizing getting an extension this year for JSN, and they should, as he is likely to command a salary that is at least $40 million per year . Every year they wait past this offseason will only raise his price.