NFL teams just chopped their rosters down to the final 53 men, and the chatter is all about who made the cut and who’s landing on the practice squad. But for us here in the Emerald City, there’s one number that screams louder than any 12s roar: Jaxon Smith-Njigba is banking an incredible $42.2 million average annual salary for your Seahawks. That’s a serious number, putting our guy among the elite earners in the entire league, not just his position.
The Practice Squad Grind is Real
The 2026 season is staring us down, and while we’re hyped for Week 1, a lot of teams just used the practice squad to hold onto some high-profile talent they couldn’t squeeze onto the main roster. It’s a key move for clubs looking to keep depth and develop guys who are just on the cusp. Every team’s doing it, trying to get an edge or keep a future star close. This process happens right after the 53-man roster cuts, making sure promising players don’t just disappear into the ether.
Seahawks’ Big Money Bets and High Stakes
When you look at the highest-paid players around the league for 2026, Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s $42.2 million is a massive statement. That puts him right up there, not just among top wideouts like Ja’Marr Chase ($40.25 million), Drake London ($35.3 million), Zay Flowers ($35 million), and Justin Jefferson ($35 million), but as one of the league’s top earners, period. It shows you how much Mike Macdonald and Brian Fleury’s crew is investing in JSN to be *the* guy, a cornerstone of this offense.
He’s definitely not the only Hawk with a hefty paycheck making waves. Quarterback Sam Darnold is pulling in $33.5 million, a significant investment in our signal-caller for the season ahead. That’s a huge commitment, right up there with other high-paid QBs like Baker Mayfield ($33.3 million) and Daniel Jones ($44 million), though still behind the mega-deals of guys like Patrick Mahomes ($64 million) and Dak Prescott ($60 million). And let’s not forget our guy, corner Devon Witherspoon, who’s also rocking a $33 million average annual salary. These aren’t just big numbers, they’re statements. These are serious commitments from the front office, showing they’re ready to put their money where their mouth is to build a winning team for the 2026 campaign. We’ve got big talent getting big checks, and that speaks volumes about the vision for this team.
With those kinds of paydays on the books for core players like JSN, Darnold, and Witherspoon, you know the expectations are sky-high for the 2026 season. The regular season is about to kick off, and every snap from these guys is going to be under the microscope. We’re ready to see them earn every single dollar and bring that energy to Lumen Field. Get ready, 12s. This year is gonna be a ride!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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