Devon Witherspoon got unleashed in the Super Bowl, and the Patriots were screwed
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 8: Devon Witherspoon #21 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after a play during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl LX football game against the New England Patriots, at Levi's Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesSeattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon has been used on blitzes from the minute he was drafted No. 5 overall in 2023. As part of his rookie season, Witherspoon recorded three sacks and was frequently used by Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt as an extra rusher.
A notable change for Witherspoon in 2025 was the lack of blitzing, perhaps in part because the Seahawks also drafted Nick Emmanwori. Either way, Spoon didn't blitz at all in the NFC Divisional or Championship round. When it was time to face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, the Seahawks broke their season-long trends and unleashed hell on Drake Maye and a befuddled offensive line.
Mike Macdonald this AM on @SeattleSports on Super Bowl blitz hero Devon Witherspoon, 19 blitzes in 14 regular-season games, before the coach turned the CB loose on Drake Maye Sunday:
- Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) February 10, 2026
We probably should have pressured Spoon' more during the season."
Says he's so good at it.
Witherspoon forced a throwaway on the first blitz of Maye, picked up a sack on the ensuing possession, and wrapped up the Lombardi Trophy with a QB hit that created the Uchenna Nwosu pick-six. He ended the night with four unblocked pressures and by far his season-high in rushing the passer.
Devon Witherspoon had 22% of his season's blitzes in the Super Bowl, and he made them count. Four unblocked pressures. Forced the game-ending pick. Absolute star. pic.twitter.com/20xD2HvW8z
- Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) February 9, 2026
The Seahawks don't blitz frequently under Macdonald and didn't blitz at a high rate in this game, either. Maye was only blitzed on 13% of his dropbacks but took a sack, threw a pick, and only one of his three completed passes went for a first down.
Witherspoon's post-game interview with Sirius XM was revealing. The Seahawks saw some game-busting tells along New England's offensive line, to which the Patriots neither adjusted nor seemingly acknowledged they had to adjust.
Devon Witherspoon told @SiriusXMNFL why he had so much success blitzing.
- Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) February 10, 2026
We had a tell on their guards and their tackles, how they like to set. They're going to overset on certain rushes. They're going to fall for certain moves."
Gameplan by Macdonald.
pic.twitter.com/HBcKUUqM5B
Seattle blitzed early before backing off, then blitzed on the Nwosu pick-six to seal the deal. All other pressures and sacks on Maye came with a just a four-man rush.
This is the epitome of a Mike Macdonald defense (unless the Seahawks acquire or develop a truly elite 10+ sack pass rusher). Seattle dominates most offensive lines rushing only four guys while choosing to blitz judiciously but effectively. Macdonald will also crowd the line and show a blitz while ultimately rushing just four, using a non-traditional rusher (e.g. Witherspoon) on the rush while dropping a defensive lineman into coverage. The fact that the Seahawks have Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori are viable options on this front should terrify the rest of the NFL.