According to ESPN, former Illinois star Devon Witherspoon and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a four-year, $132 million contract extension with more than $101 million guaranteed. The deal averages $33 million per season and makes Witherspoon the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
The massive extension comes after Witherspoon established himself as one of Seattle’s defensive cornerstones. Through his first three NFL seasons, he has earned three Pro Bowl selections while recording 249 tackles, 32 passes defended, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions across 43 games. His rookie season included a 97-yard pick-six, and has remained a key player of the Seahawks’ secondary ever since.
Witherspoon helped Seattle capture Super Bowl LX with a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots. He made his presence felt as he recorded a 10-yard sack of Drake Maye in the first quarter.
His 2022 senior season ended with consensus All-American honors and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year recognition after he recorded three interceptions and 14 pass breakups. Seattle selected him fifth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted defensive back in Fighting Illini history.
Three years later, Witherspoon’s $33 million annual salary establishes a new precedent for NFL cornerbacks and locks down the former Illini star in Seattle for years to come.