Seattle, WA
Huard: Why Seahawks won't use franchise tag this offseason
A big part of the NFL offseason has begun as teams can officially use the franchise tag on players. Will the Seattle Seahawks utilize that tool this year?
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The franchise tag is a designation that teams can use on pending free agents. What it does is it gives that player a one-year, fully guaranteed deal that is the higher of 120% of the player’s previous salary or the average of the five highest-paid players at their position.
There are two types of franchise tag: the exclusive and non-exclusive tags, the latter of which is more rare. Both abide by the rules listed above, but players with the non-exclusive designation are able to negotiate with other teams. Should they come to an agreement with a new team, their previous team has the right to match the contract offer. If the player signs with a new team, the original team nets draft pick compensation.
The Seahawks have rarely used the franchise tag under general manager John Schneider, who has been with the team since 2010. Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard doesn’t see the team using it this year, either.
“No, I don’t think so,” Huard said to Mike Salk during Tuesday’s Brock and Salk on Seattle Sports. “I was looking through a bunch of the team, Salk, and there’s gonna be a lot of nos.”
When looking at the Seahawks’ roster and their pending free agents, Huard sees two defenders as potential franchise tag candidates. But for various reasons, it’s unlikely that either will get tagged.
“No. 1, Leonard Williams, the Big Cat,” Huard said. “That’s not going to happen.”
Williams is a veteran defensive tackle who the Seahawks acquired at the trade deadline last season after sending second- and fifth-round draft picks to New York.
The projected franchise tag salary for a defensive tackle this offseason, per OverTheCap, is just under $21 million. The issue for the Seahawks, though, is Williams has been given the franchise tag twice already. Because of that, should he be given the tag again, his salary would be much higher than the projected $20.93 million total.
“He was franchised twice in New York and that number as a third franchise (tag), it’d be something like $36 to $38 million,” Huard said. “That’s absolutely a non-starter.”
The other candidate? Inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks.
But the franchise tag amount for linebackers is the second-highest of all positions at over $22.7 million because inside linebackers and pass-rushing outside linebackers, who command more money, are lumped into the same category.
“Are you going to franchise tag Jordyn Brooks and guarantee him $22 million?” Huard said. “You didn’t pick up his fifth-year option, which was a lot less than that (at roughly $12.7 million for 2024). You’re not putting that tag on him even to start the negotiations. And the Seahawks have used that to kind of start the negotiations (in the past). You’re not doing that. That number is not starting anywhere with a two when it comes to Jordyn Brooks and a linebacker. I don’t see them franchising anybody on this roster.”
Listen to the full second hour of Tuesday’s Brock and Salk at this link or in the player near the top of this story.
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SEATTLE – Wednesday will be another warm day with highs in the mid to upper 80s for parts of western Washington. Eastern and central Washington will reach near 100F with high fire danger. The coast and north interior will be cooler, only in the 60s to 70s.
Wednesday will be another warm day with highs in the mid to upper 80s for parts of western Washington.
Fire Weather Watch
A Fire Weather Watch goes into effect Wednesday evening through Thursday evening for thunderstorms and gusty winds. Lightning strikes could create new fire starts and, with very dry conditions in place, any new fire could spread quickly.
A Fire Weather Watch goes into effect Wednesday evening through Thursday evening for thunderstorms and gusty winds.
What’s next:
An upper level low will move into the Pacific Northwest, bringing scattered showers and a chance of thunderstorms. The heaviest showers will be in the morning hours and will turn more scattered into the evening hours.
An upper level low will move into the Pacific Northwest, bringing scattered showers and chance of thunderstorms.
Looking Ahead:
High pressure will build again Friday and into the weekend, increasing temperatures and sunshine. We will start to see highs reach the upper 80s to low 90s by early next week.
High pressure will build again Friday and into the weekend, increasing temperatures and sunshine.
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The Source: Information in this story came from the FOX 13 Seattle Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
After so many disappointing seasons with the interior offensive line, the Seattle Seahawks made a commitment last offseason to improve the unit. They started one big step at a time by drafting North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel in the first round, 18th overall pick, of the 2025 NFL Draft. This one was one of the last steps for the Seahawks to create one of the most productive offenses in the NFL.
Zabel wasn’t perfect in his rookie season, but he was good enough to validate the decision to draft him in the first round, and he showed improvement. Zabel is already a favorite among some Seahawks fans and some media outlets as they love his determination and spirit. It was a big jump from the FCS collegiate level to the NFL and this season, he has a chance to show why he might be a top-half-of-the-league guard.
Why Zabel Could Be Ranked Higher?
The Seahawks wanted a determined workhorse when looking for a guard. That’s exactly what they got in Zabel. Last season, he appeared in 1,051 snaps, which is only 10 fewer snaps than right tackle Abraham Lucas, who had the most offensive snaps. Zabel got better as the season progressed. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 81.5 and a run-block grade of 81.2 in Week 14 through the NFC Championship Game.
There were times last season when he looked like a monster against several defenders. He was pushing some defenders completely out of the way on pulling plays and even ran to defenders after the pass-catcher caught the ball. This is the mentality the Seahawks expect him to have going into his second season in the league. He has more experience and the complete trust of the team to be a franchise player on par with Lucas and left tackle Charles Cross. If he continues to improve, he will be another steal for the Seahawks.
Why Zabel Could Be Ranked Lower?
There were times last season when he didn’t quite catch up to the learning curve of the NFL. Zabel allowed two sacks, four hits and 24 pressures in 2025. The Seahawks expect those numbers to decrease significantly as he is experienced and capable of playing at an efficient level. While Zabel is impressive, he might not be the best player the Seahawks have selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. That honor belongs to slot cornerback Nick Emmanwori, who is stepping up to be the steal of the draft.
Zabel is easily one of the best second-year players and is one of the top offensive linemen, but there are players behind him because they haven’t proven to be consistently explosive for the Seahawks. There is going to be even more pressure on him this upcoming season. The Seahawks hired a more run-friendly coach in Brian Fleury as offensive coordinator. His ranking at the end of the season might be much better if he improves, or worse if he fails to reach expectations.
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SEATTLE – High pressure continues early this week, leading to more sunshine and warmer afternoon temperatures. Skies will be sunny, warm and dry through the middle of the week.
High pressure continues early this week, leading to more sunshine and warmer afternoon temperatures.
What’s next:
Highs today in the low to mid 80s for parts of western Washington, with highs in central and eastern Washington getting close to 100 degrees. The coast and northern interior will remain in the 70s with mostly sunny skies.
Highs today in the low to mid 80s for parts of western Washington.
Fire Risk Levels
The Fire Risk Levels this week will continue to elevate as we see warming temperatures and increased chance of thunderstorms. East of the cascades is already dry and warm, so the increased chance of new fire starts will be something to watch with the storms.
The Fire Risk Levels this week will continue to elevate as we see warming temperatures and increased chance of thunderstorms. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Looking Ahead:
Temperatures will continue to warm for western Washington through midweek, before we see another low pressure system swing inland Thursday. This low will increase changes of showers and isolated thunderstorms on Thursday, and temperatures will be back to normal for this time of year. This cool down is short-lived as high pressure builds again and highs warm back up into the 80s by the weekend.
Temperatures will continue to warm for western Washington through midweek, before we see another low pressure system swing in Thursday.
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To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story came from the FOX 13 Seattle Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
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