Devon Witherspoon Sets New Market High With Massive Seahawks Extension

As CBS Sports first reported, the Seattle Seahawks have reached an agreement on a four-year, $132 million extension for cornerback Devon Witherspoon. The deal makes him the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL, per ESPN via CBS Sports. The contract includes $101 million in guaranteed money and an average annual value (AAV) of $33 million, surpassing the $31.1 million AAV recently secured by Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward.

Witherspoon, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is one of only three defensive backs in the last 40 years to earn Pro Bowl honors in each of his first three seasons, joining Patrick Peterson and Charles Woodson. He played a key role in the Seahawks' Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots, recording 72 tackles, one interception, seven passes defensed, and half a sack.

According to CBS Sports, this contract serves as a market reset that directly impacts the New England Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez. While Patriots owner Robert Kraft stated on July 25 that the team offered Gonzalez a contract that would make him the highest-paid player at the position, Seattle's move forces New England to increase their offer. Gonzalez has recently been sidelined with a minor injury suffered during Monday's practice, as reported by the Boston Sports Journal.

Seattle has aggressively prioritized its core this offseason. In addition to Witherspoon, the Seahawks gave wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba a four-year extension worth $168.6 million ($42.15 million AAV) and signed Rashid Shaheed to a new three-year, $51 million contract. The team also added cornerback Josh Jobe on a three-year, $24 million contract. These moves come as Seattle allowed several players to enter free agency, including running back Kenneth Walker III, cornerback Tariq Woolen, safety Coby Bryant, and pass rusher Boye Mafe.