Devin Witherspoon is taking part in Seattle Seahawks training camp while contract talks continue, choosing practice over a hold-in as the team prepares to defend its Super Bowl LX title.
The 25-year-old cornerback said the situation is not distracting him from the field. Witherspoon said the Seahawks have a long season ahead, contract or not, and stressed that the team still has to be ready to play football. He added that if a player is not practicing, he is not getting ready for the season because everyone else in the league is still working to improve.
Witherspoon's stance matters because he is already a key part of the Seahawks' defense and still has two years remaining on his deal. The sides have not reached an agreement, but the fact that he is present in camp gives Seattle one less offseason headache as it opens title defense preparations after winning Super Bowl LX.
What Witherspoon said about the contract situation
Witherspoon kept the focus on the present, saying he is focused on what he needs to do right now and is not really worried about anything else. He also said he is out there trying to make plays and get better day by day, while the team handles other matters around him.
That approach also fits the bigger picture in Seattle. Earlier this offseason, the Seahawks signed Jaxon Smith-Njigba to the richest contract for a receiver, which only adds more attention to how the team handles other important players moving forward. Witherspoon's contract talks could become a situation where each side is waiting for the other to set a new standard, but for now he is making it clear that football comes first.
Ultimately, Witherspoon said his attention is on winning games. For the Seahawks, that is the most important detail right now: their three-time Pro Bowler is practicing, staying available and trying to help the team build toward another strong season.
