As Seattle prioritizes a record-breaking extension for their All-Pro defender, a unique agency connection with Christian Gonzalez sets the stage for a high-stakes game of financial leapfrog.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks made a difficult decision this offseason.
Despite finding a fifth-round gem in the 2022 NFL Draft who earned Pro Bowl honors and tied for the NFL lead in interceptions as a rookie, Seattle allowed Tariq Woolen to walk in free agency.
The Seahawks watched Woolen sign with the NFC rival Philadelphia Eagles — a move that also preserved financial flexibility with three-time Pro Bowler and Second-Team All-Pro Devon Witherspoon due for a massive extension.
Seattle has been strategic with its spending since hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February, and Witherspoon's next contract figures to be one of the organization's biggest priorities.
There's a good chance Witherspoon resets the cornerback market.
The only question is whether he'll actually remain the league's highest-paid cornerback for very long.
As Sports Illustrated senior NFL reporter Albert Breer pointed out, Witherspoon and New England Patriots star Christian Gonzalez share the same agent.
Reggie Johnson of Elite One Sports Management represents both defensive backs, who were selected just 12 picks apart in the 2023 NFL Draft.
That creates a fascinating dynamic. Whichever extension gets done first immediately becomes the benchmark for the other, giving Johnson unusual insight into both negotiations and added leverage when it's time to negotiate the second deal.
That's why whether Witherspoon ultimately holds the title of the NFL's highest-paid cornerback may simply come down to timing.
To get a sense of what those new contracts could look like, it's worth taking a glance around the league.
When the Los Angeles Rams acquired Trent McDuffie in March, they immediately signed him to a four-year, $124 million extension, making him the NFL's highest-paid cornerback at just over $31 million annually.
Sauce Gardner ($30.1 million average annual value) and Derek Stingley Jr. ($30 million AAV) aren't far behind.
So what will Witherspoon command?
Well, that largely depends on when his deal gets done.
Personally, I'd value both Witherspoon and Gonzalez ahead of McDuffie. If McDuffie reset the market at just over $31 million per season, it's reasonable to expect the next elite cornerback extension to climb a bit higher.
The biggest variable may simply be timing.
Breer believes Seattle has more motivation to strike first after already extending Jaxon Smith-Njigba and with the franchise in the process of changing ownership. If the Seahawks finalize Witherspoon's extension before New England reaches an agreement with Gonzalez, they'll effectively establish the floor for the Patriots star's negotiations.
In the end, I expect Witherspoon to sign first, earning roughly $32.1 million annually and temporarily becoming the NFL's highest-paid cornerback before Gonzalez eventually has an opportunity to raise the bar once again.
