Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon has set a new record for NFL cornerbacks’ pay. He recently agreed to a four-year contract valued at $132 million, with over $101 million guaranteed.
This agreement makes Witherspoon the highest-paid cornerback in the league’s history. His annual average salary will be $33 million, surpassing the previous record held by Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns, who earned $31 million annually.
Beyond other cornerbacks, Witherspoon’s earnings surpass those of several high-profile quarterbacks. For example, his average annual salary is greater than Aaron Rodgers’ $22 million with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kirk Cousins’ $11.3 million with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Even though Baker Mayfield earns $33.3 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the guarantees in Witherspoon’s deal double Mayfield’s $50 million guarantee.
Witherspoon’s contract situates him within the same financial territory as quarterbacks such as Sam Darnold of the Seahawks, who also earns $33.5 million annually with $55 million guaranteed.
The NFL’s business landscape is robust, evidenced by these lucrative contracts. Witherspoon’s large deal suggests that the trend of increasing player salaries will continue.
Meanwhile, Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots has been negotiating a contract extension. Gonzalez aims to surpass Witherspoon’s milestones as his team pursues making him the next highest-paid cornerback.
Ultimately, Witherspoon secured his groundbreaking deal first. However, Gonzalez may soon follow with an even bigger contract, continuing the pattern of escalating salaries for top NFL players.