There’s a new highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, as Devon Witherspoon and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a four-year, $132 million extension that includes $101 million guaranteed, per ESPN. The contract averages $33 million per year, surpassing the $31.1 million average Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns secured last month.

All eyes were on Witherspoon and New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who were both looking to reset the cornerback market. Seattle beat New England to the punch, and the Patriots will now be forced to raise their offer. Gonzalez has not practiced with the team in recent days due to an injury. 

Advertisement

Witherspoon has been one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks since the Seahawks selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Illinois. In fact, Witherspoon is just the third defensive back in the last 40 years to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons, joining Charles Woodson and Patrick Peterson. He recorded 72 tackles, half a sack, seven passes defensed and one interception as the Seahawks went on to win Super Bowl LX.

Witherspoon is a pillar of this new-look “Legion of Boom.” Maybe they’d rather be known as the “Dark Side,” but the bottom line is that this unit boasted the NFL’s top scoring defense last season and finished No. 6 in total defense.

Mike Macdonald’s defense is the backbone of this team, and that was evident in the Super Bowl win over the Patriots. The Seahawks became the first team to allow zero points through three quarters of a Super Bowl since the 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers.

Highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL

Seahawks take care of their core

This was the final item on Seattle’s offseason to-do list. The Seahawks had to make some tough decisions in recent months, including allowing pass rusher Boye Mafe, safety Coby Bryant, cornerback Tariq Woolen and reigning Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III to walk in free agency. However, the Seahawks prioritized other players.

Star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who earned unanimous first-team All-Pro honors and won Offensive Player of the Year last season, inked a four-year, $168.6 million extension that made him the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver at $42.15 million per year. JSN caught 119 passes for a league-leading 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. He accounted for 44.1% of Seattle’s receiving yards, the highest percentage of any player in the NFL.

Seattle also re-signed trade-deadline addition Rashid Shaheed to a three-year, $51 million deal. Last year, he became the fifth player in NFL history to record 800 yards from scrimmage and three return touchdowns in a season, including the playoffs. Shaheed also became the first player since Tyreek Hill in 2016 to return three touchdowns in a six-game span. He’s more than just a special teams demon, as Shaheed’s 10 catches on passes traveling 40-plus air yards since entering the NFL rank second in the league.

Witherspoon wasn’t the only defensive back Seattle prioritized, either. The Seahawks signed cornerback Josh Jobe to a three-year, $24 million deal. Jobe ranked as CBS Sports’ No. 52 free agent this offseason, and he had a career year with 54 tackles, 12 passes defensed and one interception.

Christian Gonzalez’s price just went up

Witherspoon’s new contract puts even more pressure on Gonzalez and the Patriots, and this situation probably didn’t need any more pressure. Earlier this week, Gonzalez posted a cryptic Instagram story featuring the song “time reveals, be careful what you wish for” by Gunna.

The song begins with, “Should have been done by now.”

“Should have been done by now
But you didn’t know how to handle the feeling
Should have been done by now
But you better go your way, go your way”

Maybe we are looking too much into that, maybe not.

As we mentioned, Gonzalez has been sidelined in recent days. The Boston Sports Journal reported that he suffered a minor injury at the end of Monday’s practice. Those on the scene reported Gonzalez came down hard after defending a pass to wide receiver Romeo Doubs in the corner of the end zone. The injury initially didn’t appear serious, as Gonzalez remained on the field for the rest of practice, though he was reportedly a bit slow getting up.

About a month ago, Patriots owner Robert Kraft publicly stated that the team had made Gonzalez an offer that would make him the highest-paid player at his position.

“We love Christian Gonzalez. We love him as a player, as a person,” Kraft told reporters on July 25. “That’s why we made an offer to him that makes him the highest-paid player ever to play that position in the NFL, and coincidentally it’s the highest contract in the Patriots franchise history.”

However, becoming the highest-paid player could mean several different things. Is that total contract value? Overall guarantees? Was he offered a record-setting AAV with lackluster guarantees? We don’t know. But one thing is clear: Witherspoon’s deal just raised the price.

It is an NFL business fact that when its best players agree to new contracts, they break records as well as the bank. That’s the case with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who on Saturday became the league’s highest-paid cornerback.

Witherspoon agreed to a four-year deal worth $132 million that includes more than $101 million in guarantees, according to a source. And this:

It not only makes Witherspoon the league’s highest paid player at his position today but also all-time.

PATRICK MAHOMES LEAPS PAST DAK PRESCOTT AS NFL’S HIGHEST-PAID QB WITH RECORD CHIEFS EXTENSION WORTH $504.75M

Quarterback Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to pass as cornerback Devon Witherspoon #21 of the Seattle Seahawks defends during the 1st quarter of the game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Witherspoon’s deal will average $33 million per season on an annual average basis which beats the $31 million per season Denzel Ward got from the Cleveland Browns last month.

That’s not all.

Witherspoon, a Pro Bowl selection all three years he’s been in the NFL, is getting paid to stop opposing wide receivers and quarterbacks. And this deal pays him more than many opposing wide receivers and quarterbacks.

Consider that Witherspoon’s deal pays more on an annual average than Aaron Rodgers gets from the Pittsburgh Steelers on an annual average – $22 million.

It pays more than Kirk Cousins gets from the Las Vegas Raiders – $11.3 million.

Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon holds a jersey with commissioner Roger Goodell after being drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 27, 2023 at Union Station in Kansas City, MO. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

And while it doesn’t eclipse what Baker Mayfield ($33.3 million) gets from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his total guarantees of $101 million are more than twice Mayfield’s $50 million in total guarantees.

Witherspoon’s deal is in quarterback territory and Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold can attest to that.

Darnold last season signed a deal that averages $33.5 million per season with $55 million in guarantees.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES LOCK UP JALEN CARTER THROUGH 2031 WITH RECORD $152M CONTRACT EXTENSION

Witherspoon blew the guarantees figure away. And Witherspoon is obviously in the same neighborhood on an annual average.

The business of the NFL is thriving and these deals are proof.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots runs on the field before Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2026. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

And it is not likely to stop.

Witherspoon’s deal signals that another, likely bigger, contract is en route for a cornerback across the country.

The New England Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez have been negotiating a new deal for months. Patriots owner Robert Kraft is on record as saying the Patriots were offering to make Gonzalez the highest paid cornerback in the NFL.

It was a race to see whether Gonzalez and the Patriots or Witherspoon and the Seahawks would agree to a contract first.

Witherspoon won that race. And you know what spoils go to the loser?

Gonzalez will now be aiming to surpass Witherspoon’s contract – because for the best of the best in the NFL, the next contract is usually the biggest.

FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO

Top trainer and former world champion Robert Garcia has considered the outcome of a fantasy showdown between Terence Crawford and Manny Pacquiao.

The two generational greats reportedly came close to squaring off in 2021, back when Crawford was the WBO welterweight champion and ‘Pac Man’ held the WBA title.

Their unification match never materialised, though, as Pacquiao was scheduled to face Errol Spence Jr before ‘The Truth’ pulled out with a torn retina.

Instead, the Filipino legend ended up losing his WBA title to Yordenis Ugas at a stage when, while still serviceable, he was quite clearly past his best.

Crawford, meanwhile, was hitting top form around this time, just a few fights away from producing arguably a career-best performance against Spence.

He did, of course, manage to stop his welterweight rival in nine rounds, before moving up to 168lbs and becoming a three-division undisputed champion by dethroning Canelo Alvarez last September.

Based on those two performances, coach Garcia has told ESNEWS that he would favour ‘Bud’ to defeat even a prime version of Pacquiao.

“The Crawford that beat Spence – and the Crawford that beat Canelo – would probably beat Manny.”

While Crawford’s prime almost certainly came during his run of eight stoppages at welterweight, it is harder to pinpoint when Pacquiao ultimately reached his peak.

In terms of his most destructive performance at world level, however, many will point towards his second-round finish over Ricky Hatton in 2009.

While facing the ‘Hitman’ at 140lbs, Pacquiao would cement himself as a formidable welterweight champion soon after, dethroning Miguel Cotto with a 12th-round stoppage for the WBO title.

Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan have appointed experienced coach Salisu Yusuf as their new Technical Adviser following the departure of head coach Nurudeen Aweroro.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club announced the appointment on Friday, August 14, 2026, shortly after confirming that Aweroro, Team Manager Tammy Tamuno and Assistant Coach Shakiru Lawal had left their positions.

The club said the decision to part ways with the trio was reached by mutual agreement after discussions between both parties.

Aweroro joined Shooting Stars in July 2025 and guided the Oluyole Warriors to third place in the 2025/26 NPFL season, their best league finish in 27 years.

The result also secured continental football for the Ibadan club, but Aweroro will not lead the team into the new campaign.

Shooting Stars thanked Aweroro, Tamuno and Lawal for their commitment, professionalism and contribution to the club, while wishing them success in their future careers.

Yusuf, who has more than two decades of coaching experience, began his managerial career with Nasarawa United in 2002. He has since worked with several top Nigerian clubs, including Kano Pillars, Rangers International and Enyimba.

He was most recently in charge of Coton Sport in Benin.

At international level, Yusuf has served as an assistant coach of the Super Eagles and has also handled the Super Eagles B and Nigeria U-23 teams.

In 2018, he led the home-based Super Eagles to the final of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.

Shooting Stars said Yusuf’s experience, knowledge of Nigerian football and ability to develop homegrown players made him an important addition to the club’s technical team.

The club added that they were confident he would provide strong leadership, tactical knowledge and a winning mentality as they prepare for the new season.

Yusuf’s first major task will be to guide Shooting Stars in their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

The Oluyole Warriors will face Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien in the first preliminary round, with the first leg set to be played at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne.

The return leg will take place in Sfax.

The winner on aggregate will advance to the second preliminary round, where they will face either Côte d’Ivoire’s AF Amadou Diallo or Sierra Leone’s East End Lions.

The Ospreys have criticised the WRU plans – stating that they believe a four-team model remains the way forward – and have had a summer of change.

After spending last season in Bridgend, they will play at a revamped St Helen’s in the 2026-27 campaign thanks to a joint redevelopment venture with Swansea Council.

A first fixture at home is scheduled to be against Dragons in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on 24 October, swiftly followed by another derby against Cardiff.

Ospreys have lost Wales captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan to Gloucester but head coach Mark Jones has had a busy recruitment drive.

Wales back Tom Rogers has signed from Scarlets and three Australians have arrived in Liam Wright, Lawson Creighton and Lalakai Foketi, with another move lined up for ex-Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete.

Ospreys played amid uncertainty last season when owners Y11 Sports and Media attempted to take over rivals Cardiff, only for the deal to collapse in April.

Devdutt Padikkal plays a shot during day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak credited Devdutt Padikkal’s preparation and improved back-foot game after the left-hander produced a composed unbeaten 131 to put India in a strong position on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka. Padikkal, batting at No. 3, brought up his maiden international hundred as India reached 288 for two at stumps.Padikkal’s innings was built around calculated shot selection and an ability to adapt to Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy attack. Kotak said the 26-year-old had specifically worked on his back-foot game during his preparations at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, while also developing his options against turning deliveries.“I am so happy for him because he was actually waiting for his opportunity. The way he played here and in the warm-up match, it’s really encouraging,” Kotak said at the post-day press conference.

Back-foot game key to Padikkal’s success

Kotak explained that Padikkal’s preparation had focused on developing multiple ways of putting pressure on spinners, particularly when the pitch offered turn. The batter’s ability to move back and create room, combined with occasional use of the sweep and charge down the track, allowed him to keep Sri Lanka’s bowlers from settling into a rhythm.“Preparation, I would say, overall the way Devdutt, was preparing and I saw it in the NCA (BCCI CoE)…he was working on his back foot game. We try that when we expect a turn from a pitch.“We also tried to work on step-out, sweep besides the back foot game. So, a lot of credit goes to him, the way he has prepared himself for the last couple of years,” he added.Padikkal’s innings reflected that preparation. He was predominantly comfortable playing off the back foot but was also willing to step out when he needed to dominate the spinners.

No. 3 debate remains open

Padikkal’s century could also add another dimension to India’s selection decisions once regular No. 3 Sai Sudharsan returns from his toe injury. Kotak, however, suggested the team is less concerned about rigid batting positions and more focused on how players adapt to match situations.“I think Devdutt batted really well. So Sai also has been batting really well at that number. But the thing is they all are new ball batsmen. So they open, they go number three, so, we are very flexible.“But I would look at the way they bat, how they are adapting to conditions, how they are dealing with the different stages of a match, and that is very important for me rather than number three or four or five,” he added.

Sri Lanka also impressed by Padikkal

Padikkal’s performance drew praise from Sri Lanka’s spin and fielding coach Jordan Gregory, who felt the Indian batter and KL Rahul had successfully put pressure back on the hosts. Rahul also made a significant contribution before retiring hurt.“I think firstly, credit to Padikkal. I think that he batted superbly today and so did KL. Unfortunate for him to get injured,” Gregory said.Gregory also praised debutant off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha for the way he handled the challenge of bowling against India’s batters.“It’s very encouraging to see that Kesh on his debut had asked a lot of questions and created a lot of opportunities.“So credit to him. I could imagine there may have been a couple of nerves from his side. But I’m very proud of him and the way he bowled on his debut,” he added.