The Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is reportedly "further along" in contract talks than his agent's other client, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
The Seahawks have offered Witherspoon a deal that would pay him "upwards of $30 million" annually, making him one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league. This comes as no surprise, given the impressive numbers Witherspoon has put up in his three seasons with the Seahawks.
He has totaled 145 tackles, two interceptions, 24 pass breakups, and a sack in that time, earning him a spot on the 2024 second-team All-Pro and the 2025 Pro Bowl.
Gonzalez, who shares an agent with Witherspoon, is also seeking a long-term deal from the Patriots. However, it seems he has some catching up to do in the contract negotiations.
The Patriots have expressed a desire to sign Gonzalez to a long-term deal, but the 17th overall pick in 2023 is currently set to make $2.259 million this season. Witherspoon's deal would likely put pressure on the Patriots to increase their offer for Gonzalez.
The market for cornerbacks has seen some significant deals in recent years, with Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie leading the way at an annual average of $31 million. Indianapolis' Sauce Gardner and Houston's Derek Stingley Jr. are also among the highest-paid cornerbacks, with annual averages of $30 million.
Gonzalez's agent will likely be looking to secure a similar deal for his client, but the Patriots may need to act quickly to avoid losing him to another team.
The Seahawks are likely to be watching the situation closely, as Witherspoon's deal could set a new standard for cornerbacks in the league.
Source: Yahoo Sports