The fifth-year option calculations have changed even more for Witherspoon, while they’re unchanged for Cross.
The 2025 Pro Bowl Games rosters were announced on Thursday, and only one Seattle Seahawks player was included on the NFC side.
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon has been a consistent bright spot on Seattle’s defense over his first two seasons in the NFL, and he’s been recognized with Pro Bowl nods in each season. Witherspoon is one of only five Seahawks draft picks to ever reach the Pro Bowl in each of their first two seasons, and it’s exciting to think that his best years are still to come.
There is also a financial aspect to Witherspoon’s inclusion and the exclusions of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Charles Cross worth exploring.
Devon Witherspoon
By making multiple Pro Bowls, Witherspoon’s fifth-year option has reached maximum value. Based on the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement, Witherspoon is eligible for a fifth-year option worth the equivalent of the franchise tender at his position. The franchise tag value for a cornerback in 2024 was about $20.3 million, so it’s safe to assume it’ll be higher than that when 2026 rolls around.
If the Seahawks opt to pick up his fifth-year option, which is a decision they won’t have to make until 2026, his entire base salary for 2025 will be fully guaranteed, as will his fifth-year salary. Seattle, of course, can just sign him to an extension next offseason.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
There was definitely a case to be made for JSN to be a first-time Pro Bowl selection given he ranks in the top 10 in receptions and receiving yards, but he lost out to Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders. JSN was named as a Pro Bowl alternate, but the CBA specifically states that a player has to make the initial roster, so alternate status does not count.
We’ll get back to JSN in another year but for the moment he has neither the playing time nor the Pro Bowl selections to see a bump in his fifth-year option yet.
Neither JSN nor Witherspoon is extension eligible for another offseason.
Charles Cross
On a more immediate timeline, 2022 first-round pick Charles Cross did not make the Pro Bowl, which is hardly a surprise even though he’s had a fine season. The Seahawks have an interesting decision coming up on his contract. Seattle can pick up (or decline) his fifth-year option in 2025.
By not having a Pro Bowl selection, Cross’ fifth-year option value will be based on his playing time, of which he’s met the criteria by playing over 50% of the snaps in all three seasons. Cross’ fifth-year option for 2026 is currently at $18,424,000, whereas a Pro Bowl selection would’ve increased that option to $22,741,000, which is the value of a transition tag for an offensive lineman.
When is the deadline for the Seahawks to pick up the fifth-year option on Charles Cross?
May 1 is when the Seahawks will need to make a decision on Cross. Since the adjustment to rookie contracts in 2011, Seattle has never exercised a fifth-year option on any of its first-round picks under John Schneider. The only time they’ve even picked up a fifth-year option was Noah Fant, who was obviously drafted by the Denver Broncos.
The earliest a team can exercise a fifth-year option is Jan. 6, which is also the earliest a team can renegotiate or extend the rookie contract of anyone from the 2022 draft.