Seahawks Match Jaguars’ $5.5 Million Offer to Retain WR Jake Bobo

The Seattle Seahawks have matched a two-year, $5.5 million offer sheet from the Jacksonville Jaguars to keep wide receiver Jake Bobo.

The Seattle Seahawks officially matched a two-year, $5.5 million offer sheet from the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday to retain restricted free agent wide receiver Jake Bobo. According to reporting from ESPN’s Field Yates, the contract includes $4.5 million in total guaranteed money and features performance-based incentives that can elevate the maximum value to $7 million. Seattle exercised their right of first refusal within the mandated five-day window after the UCLA product signed the proposal with Jacksonville on Friday. This transaction overrides the initial one-year, $3.52 million tender the Seahawks placed on the player earlier this month, ensuring his presence on the roster through the next two seasons.

Bobo enters this new agreement with career totals of 34 receptions, 323 receiving yards, and three touchdowns across his tenure in the Pacific Northwest. During the most recent regular season, his statistical output was limited to two catches for 20 yards as he navigated a series of physical setbacks. A concussion sustained during the preseason forced him to miss the opening game of the schedule. Subsequent Achilles and calf injuries resulted in two additional absences during the month of November. Furthermore, coaching staff decisions led to the receiver being designated as a healthy scratch for two contests in December, reducing his offensive snap count significantly compared to his rookie campaign.

Despite the recent dip in production, the wideout’s postseason resume remains a primary factor in his valuation. During the Seahawks’ successful run to a Super Bowl title, Bobo recorded two catches for 33 yards in playoff action. His most notable contribution occurred in the NFC Championship Game, where he hauled in a 17-yard touchdown pass. In that same contest, he suffered a broken bone in his hand, an injury that required immediate surgical intervention. He successfully returned to the active lineup for Super Bowl LX just 13 days later, participating in the championship victory while recovering from the procedure.

Beyond his role in the passing game, the former undrafted free agent has carved out a niche as a core contributor on special teams. Internal team metrics frequently identify him as the most proficient blocking wide receiver on the current depth chart. His path to this $5.5 million valuation began in 2023 when he defied odds to secure a spot on the 53-man roster following a productive training camp. The decision to match Jacksonville’s offer reflects the organization's desire to maintain continuity in their secondary receiving options and perimeter blocking schemes.

The financial landscape of the Seahawks' receiving corps has shifted rapidly, as this move coincided with the signing of Rashid Shaheed to a three-year, $51 million contract. While Shaheed occupies a primary starting role, the $4.5 million guarantee for Bobo secures a versatile depth piece who has proven capable of playing through significant pain. The $1.5 million in available incentives provides a pathway for the receiver to earn additional compensation should he regain the form displayed prior to his 2024 leg injuries. By matching the offer, Seattle prevents a conference rival from acquiring a player they have developed since his arrival as a collegiate free agent.

Statistical analysis of Bobo's 2023 rookie season shows he averaged 9.5 yards per reception, providing a reliable target on third-down situations. His 6-foot-4 frame has been utilized primarily in red-zone packages and as a lead blocker on bubble screens. The Jaguars’ interest stemmed from a need for size on the perimeter, but Seattle’s front office prioritized his familiarity with the offensive system. The five-day matching period allowed General Manager John Schneider to evaluate the cap implications before committing the additional $1.98 million over the original tender amount.

Medical reports indicate that the calf strain and Achilles soreness that hampered his November performance have fully resolved, allowing for a full offseason program. The receiver's ability to avoid the physically unable to perform list during the late-season stretch was a key indicator for the Jaguars when they structured the $4.5 million guarantee. Seattle’s medical staff cleared the hand that underwent surgery prior to the Super Bowl, noting no long-term structural issues. This clean bill of health supported the decision to match the multiyear commitment.

In the context of the NFL's restricted free agency rules, the right-of-first-refusal tender gave Seattle the leverage to see Bobo's market value established by an external suitor. Jacksonville’s aggressive bid forced the Seahawks to move beyond the league-minimum tender for a player of his experience level. The resulting contract places him among the higher-paid undrafted receivers entering their third professional season. This strategic retention ensures that the quarterback has a familiar target who has already demonstrated the ability to score in high-pressure playoff environments.

The $7 million ceiling of the deal is contingent on specific milestones, including active roster bonuses and reception thresholds. If Bobo appears in all 17 games next season, he will trigger a portion of these escalators. His previous durability, excluding the 2024 injury cluster, suggests a high probability of meeting participation requirements. The Seahawks' coaching staff has praised his football IQ and route-running precision, traits that helped him overcome a lack of elite sprinting speed during his initial draft cycle. Retaining him solidifies the bottom half of the wide receiver room as the team prepares for the upcoming draft.

Final confirmation of the matched offer was reported by Brady Henderson, noting that the paperwork was filed before the Monday deadline. The move leaves the Jaguars searching for alternative depth at the position while Seattle maintains its core special teams unit. With the contract finalized, Bobo remains under team control through the conclusion of the 2026 season, providing stability for the offensive unit. The $5.5 million total investment represents a calculated risk on a player whose impact often transcends the box score through dirty-work assignments and situational reliability.