Fifth-Year Option Opens Gateway for Seahawks to Extend Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Devon Witherspoon

In 2023, the Seattle Seahawks possessed two first round picks in the NFL draft thanks to the Russell Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos. They used their fifth overall pick on cornerback Devon Witherspoon out of Illinois. 15 picks later, they look Ohio State star receiving Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20, double-dipping on Big Ten prospects.

Witherspoon has been a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons and was instrumental in the Seahawks beating the Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Meanwhile, Smith-Njigba emerged as one of the best receivers in the NFL. In 2025, his NFL-high 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns earned himself Offensive Player of the Year, the first Seahawk to earn the honor since Shaun Alexander in 2005.

Not surprisingly, the Seahawks are extremely motivated to keep both stars in Seattle long-term, and now, the first shoe has dropped in that effort. On Friday, Seattle picked up the fifth-year option on both players, by virtue of them being first round picks. They were the first team to do so for members of the 2023 draft class, well ahead of the May 1 deadline.