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Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks reached a landmark agreement Saturday, signing a four-year contract worth $132 million that establishes him as the league’s highest-paid cornerback in both current and historical terms. The deal includes more than $101 million in guaranteed money, according to league sources familiar with the negotiations.
Witherspoon’s contract carries an average annual value of $33 million per season, surpassing the $31 million yearly average that Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward received just last month. The Pro Bowl selection, who has earned the honor in all three seasons of his NFL career, now commands compensation comparable to many offensive stars.
The compensation structure places Witherspoon ahead of several notable quarterbacks in annual average value, including Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at $22 million annually and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins at $11.3 million. While his yearly average falls slightly below Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield’s $33.3 million, Witherspoon’s guaranteed money of $101 million more than doubles Mayfield’s $50 million guarantee.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold operates in a similar financial sphere, having signed an extension last season with an average annual value of $33.5 million and $55 million guaranteed. Witherspoon’s guarantee structure considerably exceeds Darnold’s commitment from the organization.
The agreement likely signals an imminent larger contract for New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who has been in extended negotiations with the franchise. Patriots owner Robert Kraft previously stated publicly that the organization was prepared to offer Gonzalez the highest cornerback salary in professional football.
With Witherspoon securing the position first, Gonzalez will presumably pursue an agreement that exceeds these terms, continuing the pattern among elite NFL performers of breaking previous records with each successive contract. The competitive compensation race underscores the financial power wielded by top defensive talent in modern professional football.
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