The recent contract signed by Jaxon Smith-Njigba has sent ripples through the NFL, particularly affecting the financial landscape for other top receivers. One player feeling the impact is Cowboys receiver George Pickens, who now sees his contract expectations rise to at least $42.15 million annually, despite being limited by the $27.298 million franchise tag.
Similarly, Rams receiver Puka Nacua finds his future earnings influenced by Smith-Njigba’s deal. Over his three impressive NFL seasons, Nacua has surpassed Smith-Njigba in several key stats, boasting 313 catches, 4,191 yards, and 21 touchdowns compared to Smith-Njigba’s 282 catches, 3,551 yards, and 20 touchdowns. Both players were unanimous All-Pro selections in 2025, with Smith-Njigba taking home the Offensive Player of the Year award and Nacua finishing third.
As Nacua enters the final year of his rookie contract, he’s set to earn $5.7 million in 2026, a figure that reflects his outstanding performance but still falls short of the new market standard. A potential new deal could see him earning $43 million in new money annually, translating to a five-year contract worth $177.7 million, or $35.54 million per year from signing.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo noted that the Rams might delay finalizing Nacua’s contract until later in the summer. However, Nacua would be wise to hold off on hitting the practice field until his new deal is secured. The longer the Rams wait, the pricier the contract could become, especially if the Cowboys decide to set a new market standard by signing Pickens to a lucrative deal.
The reality of the NFL is that the market is ever-evolving, driven by an increasing salary cap, which has skyrocketed from $182.5 million to $301.2 million in just five years. Nacua’s performance over the past three years has delivered exceptional value for the Rams, costing them an average of less than $1 million per year for his 313 catches, 4,191 yards, and 21 touchdowns.
Now, it’s time for the Rams to reward Nacua appropriately. The Seahawks seized the opportunity with Smith-Njigba, and the Rams, along with the Cowboys, should act swiftly to secure their star receivers. With the market continually rising, Pickens and Nacua are poised to be the next beneficiaries of this upward trend in NFL contracts.