Camp Takeaways: Devon Witherspoon Focused on Football, Seahawks’ Defense Steals Show in Practice 15
Still without a new contract three weeks into training camp, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon isn’t sweating his long-term status with the franchise as he continues to take care of business between the lines.
Since camp opened, Witherspoon has been a full participant for Seattle, active in every practice while only having a couple of veteran rest days where he didn’t see much action during team drills. Unlike some players who would have chosen to hold out or “hold in” while still being in attendance, the All-Pro corner told reporters after Tuesday’s 15th practice that even without a new contract in tow just yet, he doesn’t believe in skipping out on practice time.
“I’m not worried about that right now,” Witherspoon said of his contract situation. “I’m focused on making plays and trying to get better day by day. We’ve got other stuff to focus on, with the goal of trying to win games, so that’s my focus right now.”
Entering his fourth NFL season, Witherspoon currently has two years left on his rookie deal after Seattle exercised his fifth-year option back in March. Under the terms of the remaining years on the contract, he carries a $10.3 million cap hit for the upcoming 2026 season and that hit balloons to $21 million next season with the option.
Camp Takeaways: Ernest Jones, Seahawks’ Defense Dominates One-Sided Red Zone Session
Steadily drawing closer to the return of pads later this week, the Seattle Seahawks turned in an energized third training camp practice amid rising temperatures on Monday, culminating with an emphatic win for Mike Macdonald’s defense to close out the afternoon.
While Macdonald felt the Seahawks turned in another strong practice even without the crowd cheering them on from the berm, as expected from a Super Bowl-winning head coach, he also provided a bit of a challenge for his players with one more practice remaining on Tuesday before a deserved day off.
“Those days when the 12s are all out here. It's really special. But today was still great. Weather's awesome. Guys are in good spirits. A lot of stuff we need to work on. A long way to go,” Macdonald told reporters moments after practice concluded. “But let's focus on what we got to do next. So I'd like to finish practice a little bit better tomorrow to finish out this ramp period and then get a day off and be back at pads on Thursday.”
Who and what stood out from Seattle’s third camp session?
Analysis: Debating Seahawks’ Rankings on ESPN Top 10 Lists
During the agonizing buffer period between the conclusion of offseason programs and the start of training camp during June and July, the annual arrival of NFL ranking season comes full force to help fill the gap for football fans.
Among the most notable rankings to be revealed each year, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler unleashes a top-10 list for 11 positional groups on offense and defense, using polls of select executives, coaches, and scouts to compile the rankings. The changes from year-to-year can be a fascinating case study in itself, seeing how opinions of certain players change over time with the rankings being predicated on the best players at each position in the present.
Interestingly, after winning Super Bowl LX, the Seattle Seahawks only had four players who landed top-10 spots at their respective positions. In contrast, nine other teams had five or more players who received such distinction, including the Lions with a league-high nine players who made the annual lists and the NFC West rival 49ers and Rams each having five apiece.
Looking at this year’s top-10 rankings provided courtesy of Fowler and ESPN, did those who placed votes get it right with the defending champions? Or did they miss the mark with several deserving players?
In Pursuit of Encore, Seahawks LB Ernest Jones Knows Super Bowl Title ‘Isn't Going to Help Us’ in 2026
You can pinpoint a handful of impact moves that Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider made in the few years leading up to winning the Super Bowl that helped the team get there. Moves like hiring head coach Mike Macdonald are obvious. Trading for, and then re-signing defensive tackle Leonard Williams was a big part of it as well.
But it’s hard to argue against one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle coming in the form of the midseason trade for Ernest Jones IV in 2024. In Macdonald’s first season in Seattle, the linebacker position was a revolving door. The Seahawks began the season with Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson as their main off-ball linebackers. By November, Seattle had wavied Dodson and traded Baker away.
Seattle moved on from both, with Baker being sent with a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Tennessee Titans to acquire Jones. Seattle was very familiar with Jones from his three seasons with the Rams. During his rookie year, he played on the 2021 Rams team that eventually won Super Bowl LVI. He was not a spectator on the sidelines for that game either, racking up seven tackles, one sack, and three quarterback hits.
As we all saw during the Seahawks’ Super Bowl ring ceremony, Jones was flexing both rings on the same hand. He now has two championships to his name in his five-year career. His arrival in 2024 helped stabilize the linebacker position and contributed to a noticeable defensive turnaround midseason for Seattle. The unit improved from near the bottom of NFL rankings to one of the stronger groups by season’s end, laying groundwork for the success they would have in 2025.
Three-Year Outlook: Seahawks Face a Few Pressing Questions on Defense Beyond 2026
As the calendar flips to April and the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaches, the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in the heat of the offseason, continuing to look into ways to improve their roster scanning the free agent market along with wrapping up draft evaluations while also exploring extensions to retain several of their top players.
While building the best roster for the upcoming season remains the top goal with eyes on defending their Super Bowl title, Seahawks general manager John Schneider also has to be cognizant of the future, making every decision in regard to free agency, extensions, and the draft with a multi-year window in mind.
Now less than a month away from the draft, how does Seattle’s defense look for both the present and the future?
Top 12 Moments From Seahawks’ Super Bowl-Winning 2025 Season
The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl LX champions! Yes, keep saying that to yourself. Anytime you are feeling down, sad, anxious, or just plain bored, look at that photo of Mike Macdonald and Sam Darnold staring into the reflection of the Lombardi Trophy and feel all your troubles melt away.
As is the nature of the NFL, it rolls on like a fierce locomotive, not caring whether or not you want to pause a moment to smell the roses (or the yellow Gatorade). Free agency is less than a month away. The NFL Combine is even sooner. The NFL Draft is just over two months away.
One last time, let’s look back, instead of forward. These are 12 top moments of the 2025 season, that happened before the Seahawks lifted the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara.
‘We Ain’t Going Nowhere’: Seahawks Already Planting Seeds in Quest for Super Bowl Repeat
Less than 72 hours after navy and action green confetti fluttered to the turf at Levis Stadium following a 29-13 demolition of the New England Patriots, while the Seattle Seahawks celebrated their second Super Bowl title with a frenzied fan base both at Lumen Field and during a parade in downtown on Wednesday, they already have their sights set on doing it again next season.
Wearing a t-shirt depicting teammate Sam Darnold smoking a cigar and once again singing effusive, explicit praise about Seattle’s quarterback from the podium with a sparkling Lombardi Trophy in hand, Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones made sure to remind fans and the rest of the league that the team “ain’t going nowhere.”
"Not only do we have the best defense in the world, we've got the best team in the world," Jones said, “And quite frankly, if you've got anything to say about my quarterback, if you've got anything to say about my defense, if you've got anything to say about our O-line, if you've got anything to say about the city of Seattle, I've got two words for you: F--- you.”
Analysis: 7 Burning Questions to Determine if Seahawks Will Win or Lose Super Bowl LX
After nearly two weeks of relentless coverage and chatter that has left fans on both sides experiencing a bad case of cabin fever, the Seattle Seahawks will finally hit the field with a chance to avenge a previous Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots as the two teams meet at Levis Stadium in Sunday’s big game.
With both teams boasting top-three scoring offenses and physical, well-coached defenses, Sunday has all of the ingredients for a back-and-forth brawl on the biggest stage in professional sports. To earn their second Lombardi, the Seahawks will have to hope for the right answers to seven burning questions.
‘The Time is Now’: How Nick Emmanwori’s Versatility, Rapid Growth Powered Seahawks’ Super Bowl Run
Out of all the traits that an NFL player can bring to the table in terms of value, for superstars, starters, reserves, and journeymen alike, versatility may be the crown jewel.
While the Seahawks have their share of players on the roster who can play multiple positions or at least move around to different spots along the offensive or defensive line, rookie safety Nick Emmanwori has made the term versatile obsolete. Starring in coach Mike Macdonald’s defense, he has played a vital role in the franchise advancing to Super Bowl LX as a true jack of all trades.
Five Distinct Advantages the Seahawks Have in Super Bowl LX
The Seahawks have one more game remaining, the much-awaited rematch against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Nothing is certain until the downs are played, but what are the Hawks’ key advantages going into the Big Game?
Analysis: Patriots’ Offense Presents Myriad of Challenges for Seahawks in Super Bowl LX
Led by a rising superstar under center, the Patriots are far from a one-man show on offense, including possessing an exciting running back tandem. What concerns do they present for Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks’ defense rolling into Super Bowl LX?
Rising to Moment, Nick Emmanwori Delivers ‘Helluva Plays’ as Seahawks Clinch Super Bowl Berth
Throughout his rookie season, Nick Emmanwori has been a game changer for an already loaded Seahawks defense. But taking advice from a beloved teammate to heart, he elevated his game to another level under the brightest lights to lift his team to the Super Bowl.
‘Everything I Said, Stood On It’: Ernest Jones Sets Leadership Standard for Super Bowl-Bound Seahawks
Back in Week 11, Ernest Jones wasn’t shy coming to defense of his quarterback after a tough loss to the Rams. Fast forward to an NFC title-clinching victory at Lumen Field against the same foe, those words resonated in the locker room and set a clear leadership standard.
Marquee Matchups to Watch as Seahawks, Rams Duel in NFC Championship Game
Familiar foes will tangle once again at Lumen Field as the Seahawks and Rams vie for a Super Bowl berth. Which matchups hold the weight in a massive NFC West rubber match?
Ranking Top 10 Moves Made by John Schneider to Fuel Seahawks Return to Title Contention
Through free agency, trades, the draft, and other bold moves, John Schneider rebuilt the Seahawks into a Super Bowl contender for the second time in his illustrious career, making him a slam dunk choice for Executive of the Year. Which moves stand out as his best?
More Than a Sidekick: Drake Thomas Becoming Essential to Seahawks’ Defense
All-Pro linebacker Ernest Jones draws the vast majority of the attention in the middle of the Seahawks’ defense, and that recognition is much deserved. But his sidekick should be drawing equal acclaim as a lynchpin for Mike Macdonald’s No. 1 unit.
Closing Thoughts: Seahawks Make Emphatic Statement in 41-6 Annihilation of 49ers
On a crisp January evening at Lumen Field, the Seahawks rewarded the 12s for waiting nine years to see them in a home playoff game with a complete beatdown of the 49ers in all phases, clinching a spot in the NFC Championship Game. What stood out in a 35-point thumping?
Ernest Jones IV’s Big Plays, Leadership Take Seahawks to NFC Championship Game
Seattle Seahawks Ernest Jones IV, cast off by the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans, played a vital role in Seattle 41-6 win over San Francisco in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. What has Jones meant to the Seahawks’ dominant defense?
‘We’re Relentless’: Deadline Brilliance Fuels Seahawks’ Beatdown of 49ers, Return to Contention
Tying a team record with a 35-point rout of the 49ers, the Seahawks sent a message to the rest of the NFL with an exclamation point, clinching a spot in the NFC Championship Game behind starring performances from three previous trade deadline acquisitions.
Rapid Reaction: Seahawks Maul 49ers in 41-6 Thumping, Advance to NFC Championship Game
Hitting the 49ers like a January tsunami at Lumen Field, the Seahawks turned in their best effort of the Mike Macdonald era in all three phases, leaving their NFC West rivals licking their wounds as they celebrated punching a ticket to the NFC Championship Game for the first time in a decade.
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