The Seahawks played their first football game of the season Saturday, but the most exciting action came earlier that morning when Devon Witherspoon finally signed the contract that made him (for now) the highest-paid cornerback in the league.

Mike Macdonald made us laugh when he lamented that his “team” did not play very well in the 17-7 loss to Dallas – because it was mostly third-stringers. We all know his A-team could start playing and winning right now.

This preseason is all about getting Brian Fleury integrated as the new OC, ramping up some young guys (e.g., Bud Clark) and settling the six or seven undetermined roster spots (some of which will rotate throughout the season anyway). Beyond that, the Seahawks are ready to “run it forward” in 2026 right now.

Meanwhile, John Schneider and Joey Laine have been running it forward beyond 2026. With the big extension for Witherspoon finally done, they now have locked up seven starters through at least 2028, along with drafting four other key guys in the last two years.

In our three-year projection, there are just seven openings for 2028: C, RG, WR3, ER2, both ILBs, SS. And four of those guys — Ernest Jones IV, Drake Thomas Julian Love, Jalen Sundell — could easily be re-signed. That’s a pretty good-looking future.

Let’s take a look at Spoon’s deal, a little more on Terrion Arnold and the few tidbits we learned from the game Saturday.

Devon’s deal

Witherspoon’s long-anticipated extension averages a record $33 million and sets records for full guarantees ($59.3 million) and total guarantees ($101 million). The total is about $158 million over six years. (A few weeks ago, we projected six years, $160 million and $58 million fully guaranteed, so we were almost dead on.)

Witherspoon got a bigger bump than most of the top-paid corners have been getting. His $33 million average is a 6% jump over the $31 million that Denzel Ward and Trent McDuffie averaged. Among the five previous market-setting deals, all but one had been about 3% jumps. In March 2025, Derek Stingley Jr. got a 20% bump to $30 million (over Jaycee Horn’s $25 million).

Spoon’s deal should help Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots’ star corner who is represented by the same agency. He reportedly wants at least $34 million a year and/or a deal that keeps him at the top of the ever-moving market. He will probably get the former.

Arnold’s biggest Seattle connection

Apparently, Arnold’s father figure is Leon Washington, the former Pro Bowl return man Schneider traded for in his first year as GM, 2010.

On Seattle Sports 710 before the game Saturday, Schneider revealed that Washington “was a huge, huge advocate for us, (provided) a ton of background information for us. (Arnold has) got a lot of things legally he’s got to work through and, from a timing standpoint, we’re still working through some things as well.

“But all the character stuff was off the charts for us. Now, we’ve got to see where this goes. It’s very serious. But we feel like we’ve got the people, the foundational people in the building … that can help with this situation and put him in a good spot to succeed.”

Roster notes

QB Jalen Milroe didn’t look very good behind the second and third lines. Almost every pass play was off schedule for one reason or another. … Drew Lock threw a great anticipation pass to Montorie Foster Jr. for the only touchdown, but he also missed a deep touchdown to Foster.

RB George Holani did what he could behind the No. 2 line, but the rest of the group was underwhelming. This position is already set. Velus Jones Jr. and the rest are just fighting for “ready” squad spots.

Camp star Foster was the lone bright spot on offense, scoring the only touchdown and leading the way with five catches. But he frankly was only the best of a weak lot. If a sixth receiver is going to be kept, it will need to be a guy who shines on special teams. Cody White got several chances in the return game, but the Hawks are deep at returners with Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton and Holani.

TE Elijah Arroyo is still third string, behind Eric Saubert (who was held out with the other top players). Nick Kallerup played deep into the game, a sign that he is still fighting for a spot.

The OL backups looked pretty shaky. The running backs averaged under 3 yards per carry, and the offense gained just 156 yards. Bryce Cabeldue looks like the odd man out in the battle for three spots with Beau Stephens, Christian Haynes and Mason Richman.

DL Rylie Mills played the entire first half and made almost no impact. He was double-teamed at times, but he still didn’t show any of the star stuff everyone has been talking about at camp. At this point, he still seems to be more of a complementary player who may shine when he gets to play next to the superstars, Leo Williams and Byron Murphy II. … No one else on the D-line stood out either.

LB Tyrice Knight was the best player on the field for Seattle, recording 10 tackles and two pass breakups in one half of play. He showed why Macdonald is talking about getting him on the field more this season. … Patrick O’Connell has the edge for the fourth linebacker spot. Will Chaz Surratt make it on special teams play again?

CB Nehemiah Pritchett and Noah Igbinoghene played the first half and had no real glaring mistakes. Iggy looked pretty good in coverage and also was used on a blitz. … Shemar Jean-Charles was picked on a bunch and gave up a long TD at the end of the half (UPDATE: he was put on IR Monday). Camden Brown, the Dallas receiver who made that catch, also made a great one-handed grab in the end zone, with Michael Dansby in coverage.

FS Bud Clark played a lot but had little effect in his first game. Give him some time though to adjust to the pace and find his groove. … A.J. Finley and also started, and D’Anthony Bell played with the “starting” defense as well. This is the deepest position on the team. Five safeties figure to make the roster. Will the fifth be Bell or Finley?