Seahawks urged to extend key defender, but not Devon Witherspoon

The Seattle Seahawks are coming off a dominant Super Bowl run, which featured an elite defense shutting down teams all season-long.

So, it should come as no surprise that the priority would be to keep as much of this defense together. They already lost Riq Woolen, Coby Bryant, and Boye Mafe in free agency, and they could lose a few more key players in the near future.

ESPN's Aaron Schatz is urging the Seahawks to sign a key defender to a long-term deal, but it's not Devon Witherspoon despite all of the buzz of an extension. Instead, it's veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who's set to hit free agency after 2026.

Seahawks urged to extend Leonard Williams before Devon Witherspoon

"Extend defensive lineman Leonard Williams," Schatz writes. "The Seahawks need to be careful here because Williams will be 32 this season, and there might be a decline coming soon. However, he's still playing at a high level, with seven sacks last season."

Being able to extend Williams, despite getting a bit older, would guarantee the Seahawks defense keeps a key member of the defensive line around for a little longer.

His age and uncertain future do make for a slightly concerning extension situation. But, he's integral to this defense, and he's been a Pro Bowler the last two years, including earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2025.

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In just three years with Seattle, he has 22 sacks and has been one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL since his trade to the Seahawks from the New York Giants during the 2023 season.

While extending Witherspoon, the superstar young cornerback, might make a ton of sense, he's under contract for the next few seasons. Williams will hit free agency after 2026 and is the more urgent priority.

That isn't to say Witherspoon isn't a priority, but rather that, in order of when a decision has to be made by, the Seahawks have a lot less time with Williams than Witherspoon.

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