Three-time Pro Bowler Devon Witherspoon has emerged as the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback of all time after reaching a new deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Witherspoon agreed a new four-year, $132 million extension deal.
The deal will guarantee more than $101 million, according to ESPN.
The negotiations took longer than anticipated since the Seahawks have focused on giving Witherspoon a contract extension immediately after making Jaxon Smith-Njigba the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver in March.
It may also be related to the fact that one of the top prospects, Christian Gonzalez of New England Patriots, who plays in the same position as Witherspoon and shares an agent with him, needs a top-of-the-market extension as well.
Witherspoon’s deal, however, is finally signed on the day when Seahawks are set to start their preseason game with the Dallas Cowboys.
However, Witherspoon continued to practice during the offseason and training camp even though he did not have a new deal at that point.
Mike Macdonald, the coach, recently commended the cornerback for his attitude when it comes to contract negotiations because he was “really impressed” with his ability to separate the two.
In the season’s opening episode of “Hard Knocks,” Witherspoon said that he is “not worried” about it and that he chose to focus on preparing for the upcoming regular season.
Super Bowl LX Cornerstone
Witherspoon, who is only 25 years old, has already made it into the Pro Bowl on the first ballot of every season of his career so far. He is one of the physical and emotional tone-setters for the Seahawks’ defense that had allowed the least amount of points in 2025 before winning the Super Bowl LX 29-13 against the Patriots.
It was also Witherspoon who scored one of the sacks of Drake Maye and hit the quarterback of New England that allowed Uchenna Nwosu to intercept and get a touchdown.
The Russell Wilson Trade Legacy
The Seahawks drafted Witherspoon with the fifth pick in 2023 that they had gotten as a part of the Russell Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos. Seattle drafted Smith-Njigba in the 20th spot that year. Both players have become cornerstones for the Super Bowl champions.
Witherspoon has become the fourth player in team history to be named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons. Last year, when the Seahawks were celebrating their 50th season, the team named him to the franchise’s list of 50 best players of all time. His resume now includes not only a record-breaking contract but also a Super Bowl title.
In March, the Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option of Witherspoon at the price of about $21.2 million for 2027. Witherspoon was scheduled to make just below $5.1 million in 2026.
