Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba recently said he expects to become the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.

He got his wish with a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension that includes $120 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports on Monday.

Smith-Njigba’s $42.15 million annual salary surpasses Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase, who averages $40.25 million per season on his four-year, $161 million deal.

“I think I deserve to be the highest-paid at my position, just what I give to the game and the community, I give it my all. And I think that’s worth a lot, lot more,” Smith-Njigba told WFAA-TV in February.

“I would play this game for free, I love this game so much, but you don’t have to. I’m learning to be a good businessman, and we need that check at the end of the day.”

The Seahawks had exercised Smith-Njigba’s fifth-year option last Friday.

He was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2025 when he set franchise records with 119 receptions and 1,793 receiving yards. He also caught 10 scoring passes.

He had 17 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs last season, including four receptions for 27 yards as the Seahawks beat the New England Patriots, 29-13, in Super Bowl LX.

Smith-Njigba, who turned 24 in February, has 282 receptions for 3,551 yards and 20 touchdown catches in 51 NFL games (36 starts). The 20th overall pick in 2023 out of Ohio State is a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

–Field Level Media

Charlotte hired former Cincinnati and UNC Greensboro head coach Wes Miller to lead the men’s basketball program on Monday.

Miller, 43, agreed to a five-year contract with the 49ers, ESPN reported.

The hiring comes 10 days after Cincinnati fired Miller following an 18-15 season in 2025-26. He was 100-74 with no trips to the NCAA Tournament in five seasons with the Bearcats.

“I’m incredibly honored to lead the Charlotte Basketball program,” Miller said. “This is a university with tremendous momentum, a passionate city behind it, and deep basketball roots in the state of North Carolina.

“From the moment I began talking with (athletic director) Kevin White and Chancellor (Sharon) Gaber, it was clear there is a shared vision to build a program defined by toughness, passion, and relentless energy. We’re going to pour everything we have into developing our student-athletes, competing at the highest level, and building a team that our campus and this city are proud to rally around. The foundation is here for something special, and I can’t wait to get to work because Charlotte’s stock is rising.”

Miller compiled a 185-135 record in 10 seasons at UNC Greensboro, located about 90 miles from Charlotte. He led the Spartans to two NCAA Tournaments and was twice named Southern Conference Coach of the Year.

“Wes Miller is a proven leader with a deep understanding of the game and strong ties to basketball in our state,” said White. “Throughout this process, what stood out most was his passion, competitive energy, and clear vision for building a championship culture here at Charlotte. He embodies the toughness, resilience, and commitment to the total student-athlete experience that we value, and he understands the opportunity we have to build something special for our university and our city.”

Miller is a native of Greensboro and played college basketball at North Carolina from 2004-07, winning a national championship in 2005.

Miller replaces Aaron Fearne, who was fired on March 17 after going 47-51 in three seasons. The 49ers were 17-17 this season, losing to South Florida in the semifinals of the American Conference tournament.

Charlotte has not been to the NCAA Tournament since the 2004-05 season.

–Field Level Media

Head coach Greg McDermott announced his retirement on Monday after 16 seasons leading the Creighton men’s basketball team.

McDermott, 61, will coach the Bluejays through the postseason College Basketball Crown event before stepping down, at which point Alan Huss, who has seven seasons on McDermott’s staff, will be promoted to head coach.

“It has been an incredible honor to lead the Creighton men’s basketball program for the past 16 years,” McDermott said in a statement. “I’m very proud of the young men that have proudly worn the Bluejay uniform and represented our program in a first-class manner. Witnessing their growth and development on and off the playing floor was especially gratifying.”

McDermott has coached the Bluejays since the 2010-11 season, compiling a 365-188 record. He surpassed Dana Altman in 2024 to become the program’s winningest coach.

Creighton won at least 20 games in 14 of his 16 seasons, though this season’s 15-17 record put a stop to 10 consecutive seasons of 20 or more wins.

McDermott led the Bluejays to 10 NCAA tournament appearances, including three trips to the Sweet 16 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2023. It would have been 11 NCAA tourney appearances if not for the 2020 event being canceled due to the pandemic; Creighton won the regular season Big East crown and went 24-7 that season.

In March of 2024, he signed a contract extension keeping him at the helm through 2027-28 and said he expected Omaha, Neb., program to be last stop of his coaching journey.

In April of 2025, Huss left his position as High Point’s head coach and returned to the Creighton staff as coach-in-waiting with no specific timeline.

“While this chapter of my career comes to a close, my love and respect for the Bluejays will never fade. I look forward to the continued success of Bluejay basketball under the leadership of Alan Huss,” McDermott said.

McDermott previously was the head coach at Northern Iowa (2001-06) and Iowa State (2006-10) and has an overall record of 514-319 (.617).

“I’m deeply grateful for the support of my family, our players, coaching staff and support staff, as well as the presidents, athletic directors, and all the University and athletic administrators,” McDermott said. “The support of the Omaha community consistently packing our arena with 17,000 fans has created many fond memories.”

–Field Level Media