Devon Witherspoon Becomes NFL’s Highest-Paid Cornerback
It’s an interesting aspect of the NFL that when top players sign new contracts, they don’t just set new standards but also make headlines in the financial world. That’s certainly the case for Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who, as of Saturday, has become the highest-paid cornerback in the league.
Witherspoon has finalized a four-year deal worth $132 million, with over $101 million guaranteed, according to various sources. This contract not only positions him as the highest-paid player at his position but also makes him the top-paid player overall in NFL history.
His contract averages out to $33 million per season, surpassing the previous record of $31 million per season set by Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns just a month ago.
That’s not where the surprises end.
In his first three years in the NFL, Witherspoon has consistently made the Pro Bowl. He primarily earns his keep by shutting down wide receivers and quarterbacks— and interestingly enough, this deal pays him more than many players in those positions.
For example, Witherspoon’s contract significantly exceeds the average $22 million per year that Aaron Rodgers gets from the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it’s also more than what Kirk Cousins will make, which is around $11.3 million from the Las Vegas Raiders.
While it does fall slightly short of Baker Mayfield’s $33.3 million from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it’s crucial to note that the guaranteed amount for Witherspoon is more than double Mayfield’s $50 million.
This new deal puts Witherspoon’s salary in the realm typically reserved for quarterbacks, a fact that Seattle’s quarterback Sam Darnold likely understands well, as he signed a contract last season averaging $33.5 million with $55 million guaranteed.
It’s clear that Witherspoon has redefined salary expectations in the league, creating a ripple effect in the NFL’s business landscape.
With such lucrative contracts being signed, it seems like we might see even larger deals on the horizon for cornerbacks going forward.
For instance, the New England Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez have been in talks about a new deal for months now. Patriots owner Robert Kraft has expressed intentions to make Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback as well.
This raises an interesting dynamic, as it was essentially a race to see who would strike a deal first: Gonzalez with the Patriots, or Witherspoon with the Seahawks. In this competition, Witherspoon came out on top. Now, Gonzalez might be feeling the pressure to eclipse Witherspoon’s contract, which isn’t unusual for elite players in the NFL as their next deals often get even bigger.
