Seahawks extend Devon Witherspoon in $132m deal

The Seattle Seahawks have reached a four-year, $132 million contract extension with cornerback Devon Witherspoon, officials said, calling the agreement a new pay benchmark for the position. Officials said the deal includes $101 million in guaranteed compensation.

The team confirmed the extension on the same day Seattle opened its preseason schedule against the Dallas Cowboys. Officials framed the timing as part of an effort to settle a major roster priority before the regular season begins.

Seattle sets a long-term plan around Witherspoon

The Seattle Seahawks Witherspoon, 25, has been a core part of the Seahawks’ defense since the club selected him fifth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, officials said. In announcing the extension, officials described him as a foundational player and said the size of the deal reflects that status. Officials characterized the contract as one of the largest financial commitments the organization has made to a defensive back. They said the extension reinforces how central Witherspoon is to Seattle’s longer-term defensive approach, though they did not provide additional contract terms beyond the headline numbers. Seattle had already taken steps to keep Witherspoon under team control by exercising his fifth-year option, officials said, which kept him signed through the 2027 season. Officials said the new extension builds on that decision and is intended to add stability for both the player and the organization over a longer period.

Negotiations continued alongside other major extensions

Officials said talks with Witherspoon progressed while the Officials said talks with Witherspoon progressed while the Seahawks handled other significant contract business, including wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Officials said Smith-Njigba signed what they described as a market-leading extension earlier this year, and they linked that move to a broader planning strategy focused on young, high-value players. Despite negotiations extending through the offseason, officials said Witherspoon participated in the team’s offseason program and training camp. Head coach Mike Macdonald publicly pointed to that involvement as a sign of professionalism while discussions were ongoing, officials said. Team points to production and high-pressure impact Officials said Witherspoon is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and has been treated internally as a defensive cornerstone since arriving in 2023. They said the extension decision reflected both regular-season performance and impact in the most pressured situations.

As one example, officials cited the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX win, saying Witherspoon recorded a sack and contributed to a pivotal defensive touchdown in that game. Officials said those moments helped illustrate his influence on the biggest stage.

While officials highlighted the deal’s total value and guaranteed money, they did not disclose other details, including how the contract is structured. That lack of detail leaves unresolved questions about timing of payments and other mechanisms, even as Seattle moves forward with clarity on a key player ahead of the regular season.