Devon Witherspoon extension wait draws confident Seahawks line
Mike Macdonald said he is confident in Seattle’s process as Devon Witherspoon practices without a new deal in training camp.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
The Devon Witherspoon extension is still unsigned nearly four months after the Seattle Seahawks made their first offer, but coach Mike Macdonald said Saturday he remains confident in where things stand, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
Witherspoon, Seattle’s standout cornerback, took part in the Seahawks’ first training camp practice in Renton, Washington, as contract talks continue. ESPN reported that there were no obvious signs of friction between player and team during the session.
Macdonald told reporters he had full confidence in the team’s process, Witherspoon’s camp and the people involved. He also said Witherspoon has continued to work as expected, adding that the cornerback is practicing hard and that “nothing’s changed,” according to ESPN.
The scene around practice did not exactly scream contract standoff. Henderson reported that Witherspoon was lively during the workout and signed autographs for fans afterward. Macdonald’s 20-month-old son was also on the field with his mother wearing a No. 21 Witherspoon jersey.
Why has Devon Witherspoon not signed an extension?
ESPN reported that the reason for the delay is unclear. One possible factor, according to the report, is that Witherspoon shares an agent with New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who is also positioned for a top-of-the-market contract.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft told reporters earlier Saturday that New England has offered Gonzalez an extension that would make him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, according to ESPN. Henderson reported that such a deal would mean a new-money average above $31 million per season.
That matters for Seattle because elite cornerback contracts can set benchmarks for the next negotiation. If Gonzalez’s deal lands first at the top of the market, Witherspoon’s representatives could have a clearer number to point to in talks with the Seahawks.
Witherspoon’s situation comes as the Seahawks open camp as the defending Super Bowl champions, with Henderson reporting from Renton on roster battles, depth chart movement, standouts and other developments around the team.
For now, Seattle’s public message is calm. Macdonald said the Seahawks are operating normally while the contract remains unresolved, and ESPN’s account of Saturday’s practice described Witherspoon as the same energetic presence he was during the offseason program.
The Seahawks are scheduled to begin preseason play in August, with ESPN noting that the first full week of preseason starts Aug. 13. Until then, Witherspoon’s contract status remains one of the headline items at Seattle’s camp.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.