Report: Devon Witherspoon "further along" in contract talks than Christian Gonzalez - NBC Sports

What the report says

NBCSports.com’s ProFootballTalk reported that contract discussions involving two young NFL cornerbacks are progressing at different speeds, with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon said to be ahead of New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez in talks. The July 21, 2026 report by Charean Williams cited Ian Rapoport, who said Witherspoon is “further along” while both Gonzalez and the Patriots remain interested in a long-term agreement.

According to the report, Seattle has put forward an offer for Witherspoon that would average more than $30 million per year. That figure would place him near the top of the cornerback market. ProFootballTalk noted that Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie leads the position at a $31 million annual average, while Indianapolis’ Sauce Gardner and Houston’s Derek Stingley Jr. are at $30 million per year.

Gonzalez, the Patriots’ 17th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is scheduled to earn $2.259 million this season, according to the article. NBCSports.com reported that he is not expected to be far behind Witherspoon in eventually reaching a new deal. The two players share the same agent, a factor that adds context to the sequencing of negotiations.

The report matters because top cornerback contracts have recently clustered around the $30 million-per-year range, creating a clear benchmark for elite young defensive backs. Gonzalez has strengthened his case with a second-team All-Pro selection in 2024, a Pro Bowl nod in 2025, and career totals listed by ProFootballTalk of 145 tackles, two interceptions, 24 pass breakups and one sack across three seasons.