CHICAGO—Devon Witherspoon didn't even realize he recorded his first sack of the season until after the game.
That's because Witherspoon's sack did not involve him tackling Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in the backfield, but rather it came when the Seahawks cornerback ran Williams out of bounds for no gain, which statistically goes down as a sack.
"I didn't even know I had a sack until after the game, so it really wasn't nothing to me in the moment," Witherspoon said. "But I appreciate that though. However they come, we need 'em."
While that sack flew somewhat under the radar, little else about Witherspoon's performance in a 6-3 Seahawks win did, because the second-year cornerback was a menace to the Bears offense throughout the game.
In the first quarter, Witherspoon shot into the backfield on the first play of a Bears possession, taking out D'Andre Swift for a 7-yard loss, leading to a Bears three-and-out. In the second quarter, Witherspoon read a quick pass to receiver D.J. Moore, got off his block and threw Moore down for a 2-yard loss. Then in the third quarter, Witherspoon followed his sack with his third tackle for loss in the game, taking down Swift for a one-yard loss after a short pass.
Witherspoon has been very good all season, but hasn't always had the stats to show for it, but on Thursday he jumped off the stat sheet as well, recording a team-leading six tackles, all of them solo stops, three tackles for loss, matching the total he had coming into the season, and his first sack of the season.
"This guy is the leader on our—it's his second year and he's grown so much as a leader and someone we're going to depend on for a long time here," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "We love him, and it's because of the energy and the competitiveness and the person and his love of the game and love for his teammates. It's infectious. How can you not play 1000 percent when 21 is on the field doing the stuff that he does? We talk about force multiplier. He's a force multiplier. Happy he got a sack. Wasn't pretty, but he got one, and really happy for him."
When asked about Macdonald calling him a leader of the defense, Witherspoon said, "I really don't even know to be honest. I just feel comfortable around my teammates, and they accept me for me being me. So it makes it easy to go out there and just try to be myself and lead those guys, because they trust me, so I just go out there and lean on my teammates. That's what makes it easy."
The Seahawks had a lot of defensive standouts on Thursday as they held the Bears to just 179 total yards while recording a season-best seven sacks, including Leonard Williams, who added two more sacks and three tackles for loss, but Witherspoon still managed to stand out.
"I would say 'Spoon," Williams said when asked whose play impressed him most. "Time and time again, he's one of those players that just stands out effort wise, energy, and today he was really showing up today. He made some big TFLs, and he just flies around. I feed off of his energy, and I love it."
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) and Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48), Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99), and Seahawks free safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63) and Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) at the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
