NFL's Highest-Paid Cornerbacks Greet Each Other Before Kickoff
Christian Gonzalez and Devon Witherspoon exchanged greetings on the field prior to the Patriots-Seahawks game. Both recently signed record-setting extensions, with Gonzalez's deal worth $135 million and Witherspoon's $132 million. Their contracts reset the cornerback market.
The pregame greeting occurred during Wednesday's season opener, with Seattle entering as the defending champions. Gonzalez finalized his four-year, $135 million extension just this week, while Witherspoon had agreed to his four-year, $132 million deal earlier in the offseason.
Their respective agreements have established a new financial benchmark for the position. This market reset may be temporary, as Philadelphia's Quinyon Mitchell becomes eligible for a new contract next offseason, potentially setting another standard.
These record-setting contracts could reshape how franchises allocate salary cap resources, potentially forcing teams to sacrifice depth at other positions to retain elite defensive backs. Fans may see ticket or merchandise costs rise if teams pass on these expenses, while younger players at the position may view these deals as a benchmark for their own future negotiations.