What happened
The Seattle Seahawks exercised the fifth-year rookie options for wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba at $23.85 million and cornerback Devon Witherspoon at $21.2 million for the 2027 season. Both amounts are fully guaranteed, requiring an immediate escrow deposit of about $45 million. The move precedes the May 1 deadline and follows reports from Adam Schefter.
Why it matters
This commits to two cornerstone players—Witherspoon with three Pro Bowls and JSN with one—averting free agency risks and buying time for extensions before market values rise. For fans and bettors, it ensures roster stability for a Seahawks team fresh off a Lombardi Trophy, impacting futures odds and NFC West contention. Historically, such early picks signal long-term investments in homegrown stars.
The data edge
Fifth-Year Options (2027): - Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR): $23,852,000 fully guaranteed - Devon Witherspoon (CB): $21,161,000 fully guaranteed Total: ~$45M escrow Accolades: Witherspoon (3x Pro Bowl initial ballot), JSN (1x Pro Bowl initial ballot) No betting line movements or recent injury data reported.
What to watch
Monitor extension negotiations for both players this offseason and Seahawks' cap management for additional roster moves.