Illinois legend Devon Witherspoon rearing record NFL deal
Illinois legend Devon Witherspoon is reportedly closing in on a record contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, the deal could net Witherspoon $32 million per year. That figure would be enough to make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.
From @GMFB: The #Seahawks are working to make star CB Devon Witherspoon the highest-paid CB in the NFL, and his looming contract has wide-ranging ramifications. pic.twitter.com/i3bfzLLLt2
- Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2026
Witherspoon, known by most Illinois fans simply as Spoon,' has met his lofty expectations after being drafted fifth overall in the 2023 draft.
The Florida native has been selected to three straight Pro Bowls, along with a Super Bowl ring this past year.
In Super Bowl LX, Spoon showed his worth, recording a big-time sack, as well as making the hit that led to Uchenna Nwosu's game-sealing pick-six.
Spoon couldn't have gotten to the Super Bowl without his stop in Champaign. Illinois was the only major offer the unranked recruit from Pensacola would receive out of high school.
Even after the coach who recruited him, Lovie Smith, got replaced by Bret Bielema, Spoon didn't leave. Instead, he was the key player of Illinois' 2022 campaign, its best in over a decade.
That 22 team, which was Spoon's senior season, boasted the #1 scoring offense in the country. With the likes of Johnny Newton, Sydney Brown and Witherspoon, a highlight play was always bound to happen.
Massive hit from Devon Witherspoon!
- Sportsbook Review (@SBRReview) September 3, 2022
(: @CFBONFOX ) pic.twitter.com/xHMd0I4hG9
Now, almost four years later, Witherspoon is closing in on a massive contract.
It seems that we will be watching him on Sundays for the next decade or so, however, his journey started on Saturdays in Champaign.