No Reason to Worry About Devon Witherspoon’s Future With Seahawks Beyond 2026

Close to two months after the team opted to pick up his fifth-year option, the Seattle Seahawks have yet to ink star cornerback Devon Witherspoon to a lucrative multi-year extension, creating questions about when the two sides will strike a deal as the 2026 season rapidly approaches.

From Seattle’s perspective, not having a new contract in place with the former top-five draft choice isn’t a result of not trying or not being interested in rewarding him with a well-earned raise as one of the highest paid players at his position. As reported by Emerald City Spectrum back in March after the team picked up options for Witherspoon and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, general manager John Schneider and the front office had already been in extension discussions with representatives for both players prior to that point, agreeing to a record-breaking four-year, $168.6 million deal with the latter on March 23.

Now two months after Smith-Njigba signed the dotted line to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, Witherspoon still does not have a new deal of his own, however. According to Brady Henderson of ESPN, the two sides do not appear to be “close to an agreement” at this point, a revelation that may make a large portion of the fan base feel uneasy about the situation.

It’s possible Witherspoon and his agency made their desires to make him the highest-paid cornerback in football known right out of the gate and unlike with Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks balked at such an investment, instead countering with their perceived contract value for the All-Pro. Drawing such a line in the sand has been known to irk a star player or two over the years and can certainly complicate matters trying to get the two sides back on track towards a new deal.