The Seattle Seahawks have officially exercised the fifth-year contract options for wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The move secures two of the team's most vital young players through the 2027 NFL season.
Witherspoon, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has quickly established himself as a premier talent in the secondary. Smith-Njigba, who was selected 20th overall in the same draft out of Ohio State, has become a key target in the Seahawks' passing attack. By picking up these options now, the organization signals its commitment to the pair as foundational pieces of the franchise's future.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, fifth-year options for first-round picks are fully guaranteed once exercised. This procedural move is often seen as a precursor to larger, long-term contract negotiations as the players approach the end of their rookie deals. Both Witherspoon and Smith-Njigba will now remain under team control for the next three seasons as Seattle continues to solidify its core roster.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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