The Seahawks won’t have their No. 5 overall draft pick on the field when they begin their first training camp practice today.
According to a report by Adam Schefter at ESPN, former Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon is not expected to be participating today due to being unable to reach an agreement with the team over his contract.
Seattle Seahawks' CB Devon Witherspoon, the No. 5 overall pick in April's draft, is not expected on the field for the start of training camp as both sides have been unable to reach a contract agreement.
Witherspoon is the final player among this year’s 259 draft picks to sign.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 26, 2023
Rookie deals have their wage scales frozen in place, so it’s rare for a negotiation like this to go bad, but it does happen. Time will tell if this is only a minor tiff or a potential protracted Joey Bosa-type situation.
While he missed some time early on due to injury, Witherspoon finished the spring program on a high note, sending the team into their summer break with an interception on the final play.
Hopefully this will be resolved soon. Once his contract is signed, Witherspoon should become a key contributor for Seattle defensively sooner rather than later. Mike Jackson may hold him off for a while, but Witherspoon projects as the team’s long-term starting cornerback at the left boundary spot.
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