The NFL offseason machine keeps rolling. On Tuesday, 11 teams will hit the practice field for the first time in 2026, kicking off voluntary organized team activities (OTAs). This wave includes the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, who are looking to build on their title win while navigating a key contract situation.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the teams starting OTAs today are: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, and the Seahawks. These clubs join others that have already begun their offseason programs, setting the stage for minicamp and training camp later this summer.
For Seattle, the big storyline isn't just their championship defense — it's what happens with star cornerback Devon Witherspoon. The three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl LX standout is present for the voluntary workouts, but his contract situation is far from settled. ESPN's Brady Henderson reports that the Seahawks made an initial extension offer weeks ago, but the two sides are not close to a deal.
“When the Seahawks and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million extension in March, it wasn’t just the record size of the deal that stood out. The largest contract in franchise history came together quickly and without a whiff of drama,” Henderson wrote. “The Seahawks then turned their attention to an extension for star cornerback Devon Witherspoon... But the other big-ticket item on their offseason to-do list has not progressed nearly as easily.”
Witherspoon, the fifth overall pick in 2023, has been a cornerstone of head coach Mike Macdonald's defense. His performance in the Super Bowl victory cemented his status as one of the league's top defensive backs. With two years left on his rookie deal, the team is eager to lock him up long-term, but the gap between offer and expectation remains wide.
The timing is interesting. Seattle already lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this offseason. Now, they're trying to keep their defensive core intact. Witherspoon's camp is reportedly watching the market closely, especially as fellow WIN Sports Group client Christian Gonzalez negotiates with the New England Patriots. A record-setting deal for Witherspoon could reset the cornerback market.
Meanwhile, other teams in this OTA wave have their own questions. The eight teams with new head coaches have already started their programs, but these 11 are now getting their first on-field work. For franchises like the Panthers and Buccaneers, these reps are crucial for building chemistry with new quarterbacks and coordinators.
As the NFL calendar churns, all eyes will be on Seattle's Witherspoon situation. Will the Seahawks bridge the gap and make him the highest-paid corner in the league? Or will negotiations drag into training camp? For now, the defending champs are focused on the field, but the front office has work to do.
