Insider shares insight on Seahawks’ ‘intense negotiations’ with star CB Witherspoon

The Seattle Seahawks start training camp Saturday and star cornerback Devon Witherspoon is still without a contract extension.

But he could set the bar for cornerback salaries in the NFL in the very near future.

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NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport shared his latest insight on the contract-extension negotiations between the Seahawks and their three-time Pro Bowl defensive back Wednesday on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.”

“My understanding is that the Seahawks and Witherspoon have been in intense negotiations for the last several months on a deal that will almost certainly make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL,” Rapoport said.

From @GMFB: The #Seahawks are working to make star CB Devon Witherspoon the highest-paid CB in the NFL, and his looming contract has wide-ranging ramifications. pic.twitter.com/i3bfzLLLt2

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2026

Witherspoon is set to make $5.09 million with a salary cap hit of $10.14 million in 2026, according to Spotrac. He’s entering the fourth year of his rookie deal and has two years remaining on his contract including 2026 after Seattle exercised his fifth-year option in March. Witherspoon is projected to make $21.16 million in 2027, per Spotrac.

Los Angeles Rams star and former UW Huskies standout Trent McDuffie is currently the league’s top-paid corner and the highest-paid player at his position in NFL history after signing a four-year extension worth an average of $31 million in March, according to Over The Cap.

“Thirty-two million dollars would be the new benchmark for Devon Witherspoon. Would be very surprised if a deal doesn’t end up around there for the Seahawks star,” Rapoport said. “Really just a matter of the two sides agreeing on a number and getting this deal done. The Seahawks have made an extraordinary effort to make this happen. We’ll see if Witherspoon ends up accepting and if the two sides come together and solidifying this deal.”

If the Seahawks do sign Witherspoon to a record-setting deal, it would be the second time they’ve handed out a league-record contract to a 2023 first-round pick this year. The team also signed reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a four-year, $168.6 million deal ($42.15 million average annual value) in March that made him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.

Insider: Sale shouldn’t affect Seahawks’ ability to extend Witherspoon

If Witherspoon does set the new benchmark for cornerback contracts, he may not be the league’s highest-paid player at his position for long. New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who is represented by the same agent as Witherspoon, is also in line for an extension. Rapoport said he expects Witherspoon’s deal to get done first.

“Meanwhile, Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots – another star corner, another excellent, excellent player who is due a big-time contract extension – is watching, is paying attention,” Rapoport said. “… All deals affect other deals, and I would say, yes, if Devon Witherspoon gets done, then it will certainly set the market for Christian Gonzalez.”

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