Seattle aims to reset the cornerback market with a historic $30 million-plus proposal, a move that could trigger a lucrative domino effect for stars across the league.
The future of the NFL's cornerback market is beginning to take shape.
And the Seattle Seahawks appear poised to be the team that starts defining it.
After the Los Angeles Rams and their newly-acquired DB Trent McDuffie agreed to a four-year, $124 million extension, the new price for premium secondary playmakers was set.
At least it was for the time being.
McDuffie's deal may not stand at the top for much longer, as Seattle appears primed to pay its star corner — which could directly lead to the New England Patriots coming to terms with theirs.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rappaport, the Seahawks have made an offer "upward" of $30 million to three-time Pro-Bowler and Second-Team All-Pro member Devon Witherspoon.
Rappaport said the proposed deal would make Witherspoon "among the, if not the" highest paid at his position in the league.
Witherspoon's looming deal would have strong connections to the Patriots because of a shared agent between he and fellow Second-Team All-Pro Christian Gonzalez, who was selected just 12 spots after Witherspoon back in 2023.
Each young star is represented by Reggie Johnson of Elite One Sports Management ... who is shrewdly positioning both of his clients for massive paydays.
This is an abridged version of what is perceived to be the plan:
First, Witherspoon either resets the market himself, surpassing McDuffie's $31 million average annual value (AAV), or he takes a deal in line with the names just behind the new Ram, reminiscent of Sauce Gardner ($30.1 million AAV) or Derek Stingley ($30 million AAV).
Once things are sorted in Seattle, Witherspoon's new deal will be used as leverage for Johnson and Gonzalez to either match the Seahawk's figure — or use it as a benchmark to snag the "highest-paid crown."
"The two negotiations have been going on concurrently. Certainly seems like Witherspoon is further along in his negotiation than Gonzalez is," Rappaport said.
But a Witherspoon extension getting done isn't only in his, Johnson's or Gonzalez's best interest.
The Seahawks should want to get this thing signed and sealed as soon as possible, too.
As Sports Illustrated's senior NFL reporter Albert Breer highlighted, Seattle has more motivation to strike first after already extending Jaxon Smith-Njigba while the franchise undergoes a change in ownership.
After riding their defense to a 29-13 victory over Gonzalez and the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, the Seahawks have every reason to finalize Witherspoon's extension quickly and turn their full attention toward becoming just the third franchise this century to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
