This offseason, 2023 1st round pick and NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, got a record-setting contract extension to stay in Seattle for the
This offseason, 2023 1st round pick and NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, got a record-setting contract extension to stay in Seattle for the long haul.
Remember, that year the Hawks had two first-rounders, and with the 5th overall pick selected Devon Witherspoon.
The rest, as they say, is history. But Spoon is also entering his contract year looking to sign something new and long-term.
Despite the ongoing negotiation, one that's flirting with going into the regular season now, Witherspoon isn't letting it define his preparation for the 2026 season.
"I'm really not focused on it right now.” Spoon said. “We got a long season ahead of us, contract or not. We still got to play football at the end of the day. We have to be out there and be prepared. If you're not practicing, you're not getting ready for the season because everybody else in the league is practicing and they're getting better. That’s where my mind is at right now. I’m focused on what I need to do right now; I'm not really worried about anything else.”
That, in part, is what makes Witherspoon so special.
Certainly both sides want to get it done, but sometimes these negotiations take a little longer than planned. I'd be shocked if a deal isn't met sooner rather than later.
In the meantime, with that maturity and leadership on his shoulders, Devon is doing what he does best.
Compete. Dominate.
“We still have a lot of things we got to work on. But we're building day by day. There's this process we have to do all again. We've been here before, we know what it takes. We just got to take it one day at a time," Spoon said of the defense.
He's been a star since day one. It hit a fever pitch with his constant pressure on Drake Maye in Super Bowl XL, including the big hit that led to a pick-six for Uchenna Nwosu.
Entering his fourth season, Witherspoon is mentoring the next rookie class, including promising 2nd round safety Bud Clark.
"He's got the ability to make plays for real. I can't wait to see him in action. Once he gets to know the game and understand a lot of the things that are going on out there, especially what the offense does, he's going to make a lot of plays in this defense. I'm excited to see what he can do.”
So, new contract or not, Witherspoon continues to be a coach's dream.
“I’m not worried about that right now. I'm out here to focus on making plays and trying to get better day by day. We got other stuff we’re focused on. We’re just trying to win games, so that's the stuff I'm focused on right now.”
Talented, relentless, selfless.
It should serve the Darkside Defense well once again as they defend their title.
