RapSheet: SEA in negotiations w/ Witherspoon

The Seahawks wrapped up Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s extension early in the offseason, but haven’t been able to come to terms with Witherspoon despite making an initial offer three months ago. It’s hard to infer the state of the negotiations from that line alone, but obviously there’s some gap still to be bridged at this time. One of the NFL’s best cornerbacks, Witherspoon figures to be near the top of the market when his deal is finally hammered out.

Reiss believes Gonzalez “might have been sending a message to the team this spring” by sitting out the majority of the voluntary program and participating only in “the lower-speed/lower-tempo parts of mandatory minicamp.” We think Reiss is probably onto something here. Gonzalez turned 24 today and has already earned one second-team All-Pro nod and Pro Bowl honors, and is under team control for two more years after his fifth-year option was picked up this offseason. It’s in Gonzalez’s best interests to do whatever he can to get an extension now, so a hold-in would not be a surprising result.

The Patriots hosted two OTA sessions last week, one of which was open to reporters. Gonzalez was not present. Reiss notes that Gonzalez “had participated in the team’s voluntary offseason program each of the prior three seasons.” His absence “coincides with this offseason marking the first time Gonzalez is eligible for a contract extension.” The Patriots exercised Gonzalez’s fifth-year option late in April, keeping him under contract through 2027. Rumors that both sides have been working on an extension have been swirling. Until Gonzalez misses mandatory work, this probably doesn’t mean much — but this is a sign that he could opt to skip mandatory work while his contract situation plays out.

Gonzalez will get a one-year, $18.1 million deal for 2027. The Patriots have reportedly been in extension talks with him at various points this offseason, so while nothing has gotten done yet, it’s certainly likely to be a point of discussion ahead of the season. New England’s No. 1 corner has developed into one of the best in the NFL in his first three seasons with the club.

Witherspoon has made three Pro Bowls via initial-ballot voting, so his fully guaranteed fifth-year option comes in at around $21.2 million. He also earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2025. The Seahawks now have extra time to work on a long-term extension for their talented, 25-year-old cornerback.

Smith-Njigba led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards en route to Offensive Player of the Year, first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors this season. He turned 24 years old earlier this month and believes he deserves to be the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. Smith-Njigba’s teammate, and fellow 2023 first-round draftee, Witherspoon also took home Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors this year. Witherspoon should end up being handsomely paid as well, though it is unclear whether he is a candidate to reset the positional market. ESPN’s Brady Henderson notes that the Seahawks can exercise a fifth-year option on both contracts by May 1, giving all involved extra time to negotiate long-term deals if need be. Were the Seahawks to make Smith-Njigba the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver, the contract would average more than $40 million per year in new money.

Gonzalez was removed from the Patriots’ injury report on Friday following his Wild Card Round concussion and subsequent placement in the league’s concussion protocol. He’ll join a solid New England secondary going against a Texans offense that will be without Nico Collins (concussion). Patriots declared CB Kobee Minor, LB Bradyn Swinson, OT Marcus Bryant, DT Eric Gregory, G Caedan Wallace, TE CJ Dippre, and QB Tommy DeVito inactive against Houston.

Mike Vrabel said Gonzalez would be questionable before practice, but he cleared protocol and will officially suit up against the Texans on Sunday. The star cornerback is one of New England’s best players and it’s great news for their defense that he’ll not miss any time after leaving Sunday’s win over the Chargers with a concussion.

Gonzalez was a full participant yesterday and will likely be a full participant in practice today. We’d suspect he’s on the optimistic side of questionable to play against the Texans on Sunday, but concussion protocols can be tricky and there’s probably a small chance he sits out still.

He also, per Mike Reiss, shed the non-contact jersey on Thursday. It can be tricky to make definitive statements about concussion protocol, but Gonzalez certainly seems like he has a real chance to play against the Texans on Sunday.