Devon Witherspoon ends holdout, signs four-year deal with Seahawks
The holdout of the Seahawks' top draft pick, Devon Witherspoon, saw him miss just two training camp practices. Seattle finally reached agreement with the fifth overall selection on Friday. Witherspoon, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, has signed a four-year, $31.86 million fully guaranteed contract. The deal includes a $20.2 million signing bonus. Witherspoon is the […]
The holdout of the Seahawks' top draft pick, Devon Witherspoon, saw him miss just two training camp practices.
Seattle finally reached agreement with the fifth overall selection on Friday.
Witherspoon, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, has signed a four-year, $31.86 million fully guaranteed contract.
The deal includes a $20.2 million signing bonus. Witherspoon is the last member of the 259-strong draft class to sign his rookie contract.
It is the signing bonus that was previously said to be the sticking point between the two sides, the disagreement said to have surrounded how much of that bonus would be paid immediately.
That dispute has now been resolved, clearing Witherspoon to practice ahead of a rookie season in which he will be a pivotal part of the Seattle secondary.
Witherspoon could form a dynamic outside cornerback pairing with Tariq Woolen, last year's fifth-round pick who was in the conversation for Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording a league-high six interceptions.
However, Pete Carroll confirmed this week that Witherspoon is in a position battle with Coby Bryant for the starting nickel role.
Witherspoon offers Seattle inside-out versatility along with physicality and impressive playmaking ability at the catch point. He racked up 14 pass breakups and three interceptions in his final season at Illinois.
Practice time is important for any rookie, but particularly for a cornerback playing in a Seahawks defense that will be under significant pressure to improve as Seattle looks to go from Wild Card team to legitimate contender in 2023.
The Seahawks have managed to get a deal done with Witherspoon missing only limited practice time, now the onus will be on him to prove he was worthy of such a lofty draft status.
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