Seahawks keep key part of offense with Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s record-setting extension

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s record-setting contract extension shows the team's commitment to keep winning.

Smith-Njigba signed his extension with the Seahawks on Wednesday. The four-year, $168.8 million deal, with $120 million guaranteed will make the 24-year-old the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, and should help put to rest any Seattle fans’ concerns with the team going up for sale shortly after the Seahawks won their second Super Bowl, and first under owner Jody Allen.

“She’s like, let’s go win another one; let’s get after it,” Schneider said of Allen. “There’s another world out there that is coming. We’re getting ready for it. As of right now, we are just keep ripping like we always have.”

The franchise’s latest move keeps Smith-Njigba under contract with Seattle through the 2031 season. Smith-Njigba’s deal surpasses that of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who signed a $161 million extension with $112 million guaranteed last March.

The reigning AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year admitted there’s a level of satisfaction with his new contract after setting the team record for yards receiving (1,793) and receptions (119) in a single season.

“This proves that I’m good for a long time. You know what I’m saying?” Smith-Njigba said. “I guess that’s what it proves.”

Coach Mike Macdonald, Schneider and the rest of the Seahawks front office would love to keep as many players as possible, but retaining Smith-Njigba was a priority the whole franchise could get behind.

“Obviously draft and retain, I mean, this is a great example of drafting and developing and keeping it in-house,” Schneider said. “And that’s been our priority since we got here in 2010. So that hasn’t changed.”

Both Seattle’s roster and coaching staff have changed a bit since the Seahawks hoisted the Lombardi trophy six weeks ago.

Key free agents such as running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III (Chiefs), safety Coby Bryant (Bears), linebacker Boye Mafe (Bengals), cornerback Riq Woolen (Eagles) and wide receiver Dareke Young (Raiders) have all moved on.

It’s unclear yet how Seattle intends to replace Walker’s production, whether that’s by committee with the likes of Emanuel Wilson, who was signed in free agency after three seasons with the Green Bay Packers, George Holani and Kenny McIntosh, or if the injured Zach Charbonnet will become the main option once he’s healthy.

Seattle’s offense will be led by a new coach in first-year offense coordinator Brian Fleury. Smith-Njigba is eager to work with Fleury, who intends on utilizing an offensive scheme similar to that of former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who is now the Las Vegas Raiders head coach.

“Definitely ready to see what we’re gunning toward and just get in the same language and get together,” Smith-Njigba said. “So I’m excited for new opportunities.”

A little more than five months remain until the Seahawks will open the NFL season. It did not take long for Seattle to turn into Smith-Njigba’s home, which only made it easier for the Texas native to secure his future in the Pacific Northwest.

Macdonald has noticed Smith-Njigba leading by example.

“He’s not the guy that’s breaking every huddle, every team meeting and everything like that,” Macdonald said. “But, what he does every day, what type of teammate he is, to the guys in that locker room, I mean, that speaks volumes, and that’s where he does his talking.”

Though the franchise still has to sort out its roster and who will own the team at some point, it’s clear what Smith-Njigba hopes the Seahawks can accomplish in the 2026 season.

“The only thing better than one Super Bowl is two,” Smith-Njigba said. “So just working to get there, whatever my team needs from me, I make sure I get it done.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, from left, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11), and general manager John Schneider, pose for a photo during an NFL football news conference on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) looks on during an NFL football news conference on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, center, speaks with media during an NFL football news conference on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, right, speaks as head coach Mike Macdonald listensduring an NFL football news conference on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba smiles during an NFL football news conference, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford started the season on the 10-day injured list while right-hander Bryce Miller opened on the 15-day IL as the team got down to the 26-man active limit Wednesday.

Crawford, 31, has been Seattle's starting shortstop for opening day each of the last seven seasons and is the franchise's longest-tenured player. He was limited to seven spring training games due to a right shoulder injury and batted .143 with no extra-base hits.

Manager Dan Wilson said Crawford got some at-bats on Wednesday during a minor league spring training game and has begun a throwing program.

“It’s progressing like it should," Wilson said. "I think we’ll be in a good spot.”

Last season, Crawford hit .265 with 12 home runs, 58 RBIs and a .722 OPS.

Leo Rivas is expected to receive most of the starts at shortstop, according to Wilson. The 28-year-old hit .244 with two home runs in 90 at-bats last season in a utility role. The Mariners sided with Rivas over top prospect Colt Emerson, who impressed during spring but was reassigned to minor league camp.

“He’s a guy that plays shortstop very well defensively, and we’ve seen him have some great at-bats, some big at-bats for us," Wilson said. "The switch-hitting is kind of a nice plus for him, too. Although we will miss JP, I think Leo will do a great job filling in until JP gets back.”

Miller, 27, dealt with a left oblique injury throughout spring training. He ended a bullpen session early two weeks ago after feeling discomfort in his left oblique.

Miller threw a handful of warmup pitches on March 11, took a break and then elected not to throw any full-effort pitches. He remains at the Mariners' spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona, and will continue to build up arm strength. Miller has thrown two bullpen sessions since the one he cut short.

“I think the next step is getting some hitters in the box and that ramps things up a little bit more," Wilson said. “Once he passes that hurdle, then I think it’s getting a chance to get in games, whether that’s down here, whether that’s up here remains to be seen.”

Miller and the Mariners avoided arbitration in January when he agreed to a one-year contract that includes a 2027 club option. The 27-year-old was 4-6 with a 5.68 ERA in 18 regular-season starts last year, when he earned $800,000. He was on the injured list with right elbow inflammation from May 14-31 and from June 10-Aug. 19. Miller was 1-1 with a 2.51 ERA in the postseason.

Miller is 24-21 with a 4.01 ERA in 74 starts over three major league seasons. Right-hander Emerson Hancock, who started a career-high 16 games last season and went 4-5 in 2025 with a 4.90 ERA, will take Miller's place in the starting rotation.

Utility infielder Miles Mastrobuoni, who injured a calf while playing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, also began the season on the 10-day IL. Mastrobuoni hit .250 with one home run and 12 RBIs across 152 at-bats last season in a part-time role.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

FILE - Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller works against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Championship Series in Seattle, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

FILE - Seattle Mariners' J.P. Crawford celebrates in the dugout after scoring off a single hit by Josh Naylor during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)