Devon Witherspoon's Fifth-Year Option Is Done, and the Seahawks Are Just Getting Started

Here's the thing: the Seattle Seahawks already made their move on one of their 2023 first-rounders, and it tells you everything about how they value their young cornerstone cornerback. Back in March, the team exercised Devon Witherspoon's fifth-year option, locking down the No. 5 overall pick from the 2023 draft through 2027. That's the kind of commitment that says the front office believes this guy is a centerpiece of the defense for years to come.

What the Fifth-Year Option Actually Means

If you've never thought too hard about this stuff, here's the deal: the NFL's 2020 collective bargaining agreement lets teams add a fifth year to any first-round pick's rookie contract. When a team exercises it, that fifth-year salary becomes fully guaranteed, and any base salary from year four that wasn't locked in gets guaranteed too. For Witherspoon, that option is expected to be worth approximately $21.2 million, according to OverTheCap.com. Not chump change.

The deadline for all teams to make these decisions is May 1, and the 2023 first-round class has 31 players total (the Miami Dolphins lost their first-round pick due to league violations). That means 30 other teams are working through the same calculus right now: keep the young star under control for a fifth year, or let them hit free agency in 2027?

The Seahawks Aren't Done With Witherspoon

Seattle exercising the option is just step one. The team is expected to discuss a long-term extension with Witherspoon, according to the reporting. That's what contending teams do with their foundational defensive pieces. You lock them in early, you avoid the open market, and you build around them.

The fifth-year salary calculation has four different tiers: basic, playing time, one Pro Bowl, or multiple Pro Bowls. Where Witherspoon lands on that scale will depend on how he performs over the next year. The better he plays, the more expensive his fifth-year deal becomes. Either way, the Seahawks made it clear in March that they're all-in on this cornerstone.

With Mike Macdonald running the show as head coach and Brian Fleury calling plays on offense, the Seahawks are building something. Locking in Witherspoon early is part of that blueprint. Watch for that extension negotiations to heat up as the season rolls on.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.