Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon has been used on blitzes from the minute he was drafted No. 5 overall in 2023. As part of his rookie season, Witherspoon recorded three sacks and was frequently used by Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt as an extra rusher.
A notable change for Witherspoon in 2025 was the lack of blitzing, perhaps in part because the Seahawks also drafted Nick Emmanwori. Either way, Spoon didn’t blitz at all in the NFC Divisional or Championship round. When it was time to face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, the Seahawks broke their season-long trends and unleashed hell on Drake Maye and a befuddled offensive line.
Witherspoon forced a throwaway on the first blitz of Maye, picked up a sack on the ensuing possession, and wrapped up the Lombardi Trophy with a QB hit that created the Uchenna Nwosu pick-six. He ended the night with four unblocked pressures and by far his season-high in rushing the passer.
The Seahawks don’t blitz frequently under Macdonald and didn’t blitz at a high rate in this game, either. Maye was only blitzed on 13% of his dropbacks but took a sack, threw a pick, and only one of his three completed passes went for a first down.
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Witherspoon’s post-game interview with Sirius XM was revealing. The Seahawks saw some game-busting tells along New England’s offensive line, to which the Patriots neither adjusted nor seemingly acknowledged they had to adjust.
Seattle blitzed early before backing off, then blitzed on the Nwosu pick-six to seal the deal. All other pressures and sacks on Maye came with a just a four-man rush.
This is the epitome of a Mike Macdonald defense (unless the Seahawks acquire or develop a truly elite 10+ sack pass rusher). Seattle dominates most offensive lines rushing only four guys while choosing to blitz judiciously but effectively. Macdonald will also crowd the line and show a blitz while ultimately rushing just four, using a non-traditional rusher (e.g. Witherspoon) on the rush while dropping a defensive lineman into coverage. The fact that the Seahawks have Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori are viable options on this front should terrify the rest of the NFL.
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