Offseason In Review: Seattle Seahawks

The Russell Wilson period doubled as the height of the Seahawks’ 46-year existence. The third-round decide Seattle invested in 10 years in the past helped the staff construct a championship nucleus, and after a lot of the defensive cogs from the back-to-back Tremendous Bowl groups departed, Wilson’s improvement as a passer stored the Seahawks within the playoff combine. This season will look fairly completely different for the franchise, which bailed on the prospect of an Eleventh Wilson season and third extension.

Trades:

Hours after Aaron Rodgers‘ Packers recommitment, the Broncos pulled the set off for Wilson. Pete Carroll‘s Mix feedback indicating the Seahawks had “no intention” of buying and selling the highest quarterback in franchise historical past got here after GM John Schneider had opened commerce talks with Broncos counterpart George Paton. The Wilson-Carroll relationship had steadily deteriorated, and the Seahawks turned leery of what it might value to offer their star QB a fourth contract. The noise Wilson made concerning the staff’s offensive line and the trade-destination checklist that surfaced in February 2021 irked the Seahawks, and the Eleventh-year veteran was unlikely to do one other Seahawks extension. This all led to the HC-GM combo that drafted Wilson dealing him for main draft capital with two years left on his contract.

Being keen to half with three first-round picks for Wilson, the Commanders might have introduced the most effective commerce bundle. However Washington was not a Wilson-preferred vacation spot. Though the Bears, Cowboys, Raiders and Saints have been on Wilson’s preliminary 2021 vacation spot checklist, the Broncos and Giants have been quietly added late final 12 months. The Giants and Saints referred to as the Seahawks this 12 months, however Wilson — one of many few NFLers with a no-trade clause — had zeroed in on Denver. For the primary time since Matt Hasselbeck‘s 2011 exit ushered in Tarvaris Jackson as Seattle’s starter, the Seahawks have a foggy future on the recreation’s premier place.

Carroll’s run-heavy M.O. and the Seahawks’ penchant for skimping on offensive linemen (Duane Brown excepted) gnawed at Wilson, the centerpiece of middling rosters over the previous few seasons. Seattle tried extra run performs than any staff over Wilson’s tenure. A few of these have been Wilson scrambles, however Brady Henderson ESPN.com notes staff ranked twenty ninth in designed pass-play price since 2012. That quantity solely climbed to twenty first since Wilson broke by way of as a passer in 2015, making atypical use of a top-tier quarterback contract. Because the “Let Russ Prepare dinner” begin to the 2020 season preceded a midseason swoon, Carroll largely went again to his most well-liked model.

Wilson’s extension talks in 2015 and 2019 generated quite a few headlines, and every decision produced a giant quantity ($21.9MM per 12 months in 2015, then-NFL-high $35MM every year in ’19). Seattle couldn’t recapture the system it had when it capitalized on one of many nice bargains in NFL historical past; Wilson’s four-year, $2.99MM deal that was on the staff’s books because it claimed consecutive NFC championships. Throughout Wilson’s second and third contracts, nevertheless, he turned one of many NFL’s finest quarterbacks.

Since a 2015 season during which Wilson broke by way of for 34 landing passes (after tossing 20 in 2014), his QBR figures have ranked fourth, fifteenth, Tenth, Eleventh, fifth, eighth and Tenth. The ultimate quantity got here regardless of Wilson struggling within the video games instantly following his finger surgical procedure. Wilson made the Seahawks one of many NFL’s highest-floor groups, although rosters that weren’t on the extent of the 2013 and ’14 squads regularly bumped into first- or second-round obstacles following Tremendous Bowl XLIX.

Some Seahawks staffers seen Wilson as declining, at 33, however buying and selling him forfeits the franchise entry to the NFL’s commonest championship route. Carroll choosing a restart/transition 12 months is a bit curious, contemplating he’s the league’s oldest energetic HC (71 subsequent week). The technique will apply appreciable stress for Carroll (signed by way of 2025) and Schneider to strike gold once more. Two first-round picks subsequent 12 months — when a much better QB class is predicted to emerge in comparison with 2022 — will assist Seattle’s trigger, however the odds are towards the Seahawks discovering a participant able to Wilson’s efficiency degree. The Seahawks additionally might even see the Texans and Lions, every holding two first-rounders with no clear long-term QB plan as properly, outflank them within the 2023 draft.

Schneider sought Lock, having appreciated the previous Missouri prospect in 2019, however the failed Broncos starter not beating out Geno Smith represents an early warning signal of the post-Wilson street the Seahawks are about to journey. Lock and the opposite below-average brigade of Broncos quarterbacks hindered Fant’s progress, however the former No. 20 general decide might discover footing tough with Smith and/or Lock (once more). Harris, 31, turned a gentle contributor in Denver, transferring right into a starter position and serving to Vic Fangio‘s protection as an inside rusher and frequent passing-lane deterrent. Harris’ 19 passes defensed throughout his starter years (2019-21) lead all defensive linemen. Harris’ three-year, $27MM Broncos-authorized extension runs by way of 2023.

Free company additions:

• Uchenna Nwosu, DE. Two years, $19.1MM. $10.54MM assured.
• Quinton Jefferson, DL. Two years, $9.5MM. $5.18MM assured.
• Austin Blythe, C. One 12 months, $4MM. $2.5MM assured.
• Artie Burns, CB. One 12 months, $2.04MM. $1MM assured.
• Marquise Goodwin, WR. One 12 months, $1.27MM. $153K assured.
• Justin Coleman, CB. One 12 months, $1.12MM.

Nwosu will transfer from Joey Bosa‘s sidekick to a participant that shall be anticipated to provide as a No. 1 edge rusher. Swapping out Carlos Dunlap for a youthful expertise, the Seahawks will financial institution on Nwosu taking a step ahead. Even with Bosa drawing O-lines’ consideration, Nwosu registered simply 5 sacks in 17 video games. Nwosu’s 30 pressures did rank thirty first final season and have been six greater than any Seahawk logged in 2021. A second-rounder out of USC, Nwosu needs to be coming into his prime. He is not going to flip 26 till December.

A hybrid participant who ought to match because the Seahawks transition to extra 3-4 appears to be like, Jefferson is again after two years away. Seeing time at D-end and D-tackle, Jefferson began 24 video games for the Seahawks’ 2018 and ’19 iterations. He made 17 begins for the Raiders final season, totaling career-high numbers in sacks (4.5) and quarterback hits (16).

Whereas Jefferson needs to be a rotational cog in Seattle, Blythe appears to be like set to go from seldom-used Chiefs backup (12 offensive snaps behind Creed Humphrey final season) to a full-time starter once more. This may very well be an improve for the Seahawks. Blythe began at heart and guard for 3 straight seasons with the Rams, together with their Tremendous Bowl LIII-qualifying squad. Professional Soccer Focus graded him as a top-11 guard in 2018 and top-11 heart two years later. Blythe, 30, has a transparent comeback alternative for a staff that may make no secret of its need for a smashmouth method.

Re-signings:

• Quandre Diggs, S. Three years, $39MM. $13.49MM assured.
• Will Dissly, TE. Three years, $24MM. $10.34MM assured.
• Rashaad Penny, RB. One 12 months, $5.75MM. $5.1MM assured.
• Al Woods, DT. Two years, $9MM. $4.73MM assured.
• Geno Smith, QB. One 12 months, $3.5MM. $500K assured.

This season brings 11 beginning quarterbacks on rookie salaries, two extra on fifth-year choices and 19 tied to veteran offers. The veteran contingent now homes 9 QBs incomes $40MM-plus on common. 4 extra are tied to contracts value greater than $30MM per 12 months. Tom Brady, who has a number of revenue streams and a lavish FOX contract awaiting him, and Ryan Tannehill are available in simply south of $30MM AAV. Jameis Winston signed a two-year, $28MM pact, whereas Marcus Mariota — who has not been a full-time starter since October 2019 — signed a two-year, $18.75MM accord in March. Mitch Trubisky signed a two-year, $14MM Steelers deal. Then, there’s Geno Smith, a Tenth-year veteran who shall be a 2022 beginning quarterback on a $1.26MM base wage.

Smith, 32 subsequent month, will make his first Week 1 begin since 2014. Knocked off his Jets QB1 perch in 2015 (the IK Enemkpali incident), Smith not solely by no means regained any footing with the Jets; he stored signing with groups who employed traditionally sturdy quarterbacks (Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Russell Wilson). In what appears to be like like a transition 12 months during which the Seahawks shall be linked to school quarterbacks, Smith returns. Self-discipline for his January DUI arrest might loom, nevertheless, although it isn’t a lock punishment comes this 12 months.

Largely unimpressive with the Jets, the veteran backup fared higher than anticipated in his midseason Wilson aid effort (68% completion price, 5-1 TD-INT ratio, 7.4 yards per try). It might appear Lock will work his method into some begins this season, however Smith does profile as the higher match for a conservative offense. For now, Smith will make one of many stranger Week 1 re-emergences in trendy QB annals. Though this $3.5MM quantity is a increase for Smith, the salaries Mariota, Winston and Trubisky are incomes illustrate the remainder of the league’s view of him. Smith additionally re-signed in mid-April, after the Browns selected Jacoby Brissett — who can also be out-earning Smith — to fill in for Deshaun Watson.

The Seahawks stored passing on the quarterbacks that fell to this 12 months’s third spherical; they didn’t view Malik Willis as NFL-ready. Ready for a superior 2023 class is smart, and Carroll mentioned post-draft the Seahawks have been unlikely to make one other QB commerce this offseason. They caught to their weapons.

Seattle let Carolina have Baker Mayfield for a conditional 2024 fifth-rounder and confirmed no real interest in parting with an asset for Jimmy Garoppolo. The Seahawks did homework on Garoppolo and lurked as a touchdown spot for the previous Tremendous Bowl starter in free company, however given how diligent Garoppolo’s camp was in looking for a staff that will pay greater than the cash he’s now tied to with the 49ers ($6.5MM wage; $15.45MM max worth through playing-time incentives), it appears to be like just like the Seahawks weren’t keen to supply an excessive amount of cash. Garoppolo and Mayfield have clearly confirmed far more than Smith; that would have impeded Seattle’s 2022 plan.

Dealt repeated harm blows, Penny made an Eleventh-hour push for some second-contract money and shall be Seattle’s Week 1 starter for the primary time. As fantasy GMs noticed, Penny exploded for 4 130-yard dashing video games in his ultimate 5 contests and completed with an NFL-leading 6.3 yards per carry (on 119 totes) in his fourth season. The shock 2018 first-rounder has missed 28 profession video games, however the Seahawks provided lower-middle-class working again dough to see how authentic that season-closing stretch was.

Buying Diggs from the Lions in a low-level pick-swap deal has been the higher Seahawks security commerce of latest years. The Seahawks, who haven’t seen their blockbuster Jamal Adams commerce and record-setting extension come near justifying the associated fee, now have the league’s costliest security tandem. Each Adams ($17.5MM per) and Diggs ($13MM AAV) are among the many NFL’s 10 highest-paid safeties. With Adams’ hybrid skillset typically luring him away from the normal security vary, extra back-line patrolling is required of Diggs. Going into his age-29 season, Diggs has now secured three contracts. He shall be an important piece for a Seattle protection bringing pass-rushing and cornerback uncertainty.

The Broncos almost stored the Wilson-Dissly pairing alive, pursuing the fifth-year veteran in free company. Dissly appeared stunned by the market that fashioned for him. Struggling main accidents in 2018 and ’19, the previous fourth-round decide has by no means topped 300 receiving yards in a season. The Seahawks valued Dissly’s run-blocking abilities — greater than most envisioned anybody would — and he’ll staff with new receiving tight finish Fant. Woods turned 35 shortly after re-signing. The NFL nomad (seven metropolis modifications since being a 2010 Saints draftee) has discovered a house in Seattle, beginning 16 video games in 2021. PFF graded the 12-year veteran because the No. 4 run-defending D-tackle final season.

Notable losses:

• Marquise Blair, DB (waived)
• Duane Brown, T
• Chris Carson, RB (retired)
• Alex Collins, RB
• Carlos Dunlap, DE (designated as post-June 1 minimize)
• Gerald Everett, TE
• Rasheem Inexperienced, DE
• Kerry Hyder, DE (launched)
• Jamarco Jones, OL
• Benson Mayowa, DE (launched)
• Robert Nkemdiche, DL
• Adrian Peterson, RB
• Ethan Pocic, C
• D.J. Reed, CB
• Brandon Shell, T
• Bobby Wagner, LB (launched)

Wagner is nearer than Wilson to first-ballot Corridor of Fame standing, having been a first- or second-team All-Professional eight occasions. The embellished center linebacker has extra first-team All-Professional nods (six) than any energetic participant save for brand spanking new teammate Aaron Donald (seven). Wagner, 31, outlasted each Legion of Increase member (by a number of years) on Seattle’s protection and would be the centerpiece defender related to this Seahawks period. Whereas the LOB could also be remembered extra for the Tremendous Bowl years, Wagner’s longevity bettered every member. His return from a 2014 harm ignited the Seahawks to a cost that keyed a second straight NFC championship. Final season, Wagner notched a career-best 170 tackles. He shall be tough to interchange.

Like Wilson, Wagner signed three Seahawks contracts. Agentless through the third negotiation, Wagner topped C.J. Mosley‘s Jets deal — which got here in properly north of something earlier than it on the off-ball linebacker place — with a three-year, $54MM pact in 2019. Wagner didn’t wish to go away Seattle, however the staff prevented a $20.35MM cap quantity through the discharge — which got here hours after the Wilson commerce. Jordyn Brooks is now in place because the Seahawks’ high linebacker, however fourth-year backup Cody Barton will make a giant duty bounce this season.

For the second straight 12 months, a staff gave a Seahawks beginning nook an eight-figure-AAV deal. The Jets adopted the Jaguars (Shaquill Griffin) by handing Reed a three-year, $33MM pact. Reed doesn’t have a prolonged run of starter-caliber play however caught on in that position with the Seahawks in 2020. Seattle discovered Reed through waivers that 12 months and used him as an out of doors starter in 22 video games from 2020-21.

The Seahawks paid Richard Sherman in 2014, however the Carroll-years system stays: low- or mid-level draft investments inventory this place. The staff handed on paying Byron Maxwell in 2015 and let Justin Coleman stroll in 2019. Griffin and Reed have now come and gone, resulting in extra low cost labor through Day 3 draft selections.

Carson’s neck harm continues an unlucky run for the Seahawks, who additionally misplaced Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril to career-ending neck points. Seattle’s high post-Marshawn Lynch choice, Carson overcame his seventh-round standing to tally two 1,000-yard seasons. He was the lead again on three playoff groups. Carson did properly to gather a two-year, $10.4MM payday in 2021, becoming a member of a bunch of 2017 working again draftees in signing notable second contracts. He collected $5.5MM assured and can see as much as $2MM of his 2022 base wage through the CBA’s injury-protection profit.

Altering up its defensive scheme, Seattle swapped out almost its total edge-rushing crew. Dunlap turned a crucial a part of the staff’s mid-2020 defensive turnaround, arriving through commerce from Cincinnati. Dunlap notched 13.5 sacks as a Seahawk. Inexperienced led the 2021 staff in QB pressures with 24, whereas Hyder and Mayowa didn’t contribute a lot to final season’s trigger. Dunlap (Chiefs), Inexperienced (Texans) and Hyder (49ers) caught on elsewhere.

Draft:

The Seahawks haven’t had success with a homegrown sort out since their 2010 Russell Okung choice (No. 6 general). They relied on Duane Brown, obtained through 2017 in-season commerce, after Okung’s departure led to blindside instability. Brown stored going into his mid-30s, however his coaching camp hold-in measure solely produced a slight adjustment final 12 months. The Seahawks met with veteran sort out Trent Brown early in free company, however he re-signed with the Patriots. As a substitute, Seattle will substitute each its tackles with rookies, transferring on from Brandon Shell (21 Seattle begins) as properly.

Cross and Lucas are ticketed to begin towards the Broncos, marking the primary time in many years a staff may have gone with two rookie bookends. This may very well be the beginning of a protracted period of Cross and Lucas. April was the primary time the Seahawks had chosen even a Day 2 sort out since 2016 (Germain Ifedi); that undoubtedly caught Wilson’s consideration from afar.

Seattle used the primary Wilson-generated first-rounder on Cross, this 12 months’s third sort out taken. Cross spent most of his time in Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense at Mississippi State, making for an NFL adjustment. That mentioned, Cross earned first-team All-SEC acclaim as a sophomore final season and was PFF’s No. 2 SEC run blocker in 2021. As needs to be anticipated from a top-10 decide, Cross provides the sort of upside on the place the Seahawks haven’t possessed since Okung.

Lucas is a Seattle-area expertise whom Leach recruited to play at his earlier program. The Washington State product is not going to want changing to proper sort out; he began there for 4 seasons on the Pac-12 college. These two may use this season to develop forward of 2023, when the Seahawks shall be anticipated to make their quarterback funding.

Walker is battling a hernia challenge that’s anticipated to delay his debut. The Wake Forest part-timer changed into a drive at Michigan State post-transfer, totaling 1,636 dashing yards and 18 touchdowns. Penny’s one-year deal apart, Walker profiles because the Seahawks’ long-term backfield starter. Mafe notched two sacks in Seattle’s preseason opener, forcing a fumble, and is projected to be a rotational rusher behind Nwosu and Darrell Taylor. The Seahawks missed on L.J. Collier, and Nwosu has not confirmed a lot but. Mafe (seven senior-season sacks) will must be a daily piece this season.

Woolen appears to be like to have overwhelmed out the non-Sidney Jones veteran wing of the Seahawks’ nook contingent and final 12 months’s Jim Thorpe Award winner (Bryant) to be a Week 1 starter. Woolen’s measurables beat out almost each nook in NFL historical past (6-foot-4, 4.26 40-yard sprint, 42-inch vertical). ESPN had the transformed receiver ranked as a mid-third-round decide. Bryant moved from the skin to the slot throughout camp. The Seahawks have been unable to steadily workers that place within the years since Coleman’s 2019 exit. Again with the staff, Coleman may man the job to begin the season. However Bryant, who allowed only a 44% completion price as a fifth-year senior, ought to see intensive time.

Extensions and restructures:

The transfer away from their franchise quarterback freed up a long-term wage slot, however Schneider expressed amazement at the place the extensive receiver market had gone this offseason. Months after the Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill offers shook the receiver panorama, the Eagles and Commanders set the marketplace for fourth-year receiver extensions. The Seahawks, after shutting down spring commerce inquiries (most notably from the then-receiver-desperate Jets), adopted that framework and stored Metcalf.

Route-tree points and basic rawness dinged Metcalf popping out, dropping him to the No. 64 general slot. The Seahawks helped Wilson with this discover, with Metcalf becoming a member of Tyler Lockett to type one of many league’s high receiver pairs. The dimensions-speed freak reached simply 967 receiving yards in 17 video games final season, however he added 12 touchdowns. School teammate A.J. Brown secured extra in per-year wage ($25MM) and assured cash ($56MM), although Metcalf’s ensures will spike to $43MM by Could 2023.

Lockett will flip 30 in September and shall be remembered as one in all Wilson’s wingmen. It’s not but identified which quarterback Metcalf shall be primarily related to, and he might have drawn the worst QB state of affairs of all of the 2019 receiver extension recipients. However the Seahawks, not less than, have receiver certainty. Their low-salary QB image — a payroll wrinkle that would stay in place by way of not less than 2026, and that’s provided that a rookie arrives subsequent 12 months — may accompany two big-ticket receiver contracts for some time. Lockett’s $17.25MM-per-year deal — agreed to in April 2021 — runs by way of 2025.

Different:

• Proprietor Jody Allen mentioned Seahawks aren’t on the market
• Picked up $6.9MM fifth-year choice on TE Noah Fant; declined $11.5MM 2023 choice on DE L.J. Collier
• Promoted Clint Hurtt to defensive coordinator, changing Ken Norton Jr.
• Promoted Andy Dickerson to offensive line coach, changing Mike Solari
• Employed Sean Desai as affiliate head coach; workers goal Ed Donatell turned Vikings DC
• Entrance workplace government Alonzo Highsmith joins Miami Hurricanes’ workers
• Signed 14 UDFAs

Eight years after the primary set of fifth-year choices may very well be exercised, the Seahawks lastly noticed match to maneuver a rookie contract to 12 months 5. Fittingly, for a staff that traded out of Spherical 1 a number of occasions or missed on first-rounders throughout this timeframe, it’s one other staff’s draftee that may see this bump. Fant’s back-to-back 600-plus yard seasons in Denver, which had some notable hassle staffing its QB spot pre-Wilson, have been thought of underwhelming. The Seahawks haven’t had a decent finish attain 600 yards since Jimmy Graham in 2016.

Donatell was near becoming a member of Seattle’s workers, however the longtime Vic Fangio right-hand man understandably accepted one other DC gig in Minnesota. The Seahawks will nonetheless import Fangio ideas beneath Hurtt and Desai, the latter having labored beneath Fangio throughout his Chicago keep. Hurtt, 43, was with the Bears throughout Fangio’s first two Chicago seasons (2015-16) earlier than coming to work for Carroll. With the Seahawks ending their 10-year Wagner partnership and dealing with questions at D-end and nook, Hurtt inherits a fixer-upper. The Seahawks ranked a shocking eighth in DVOA final season, however Norton’s protection checked in twenty first.

Prime 10 cap costs for 2022:

1. Poona Ford, DT: $10.08MM
2. Tyler Lockett, WR: $10.1MM
3. Jamal Adams, S: $9.11MM
4. Gabe Jackson, G: $9MM
5. D.Ok. Metcalf, WR: $8.84MM
6. Uchenna Nwosu, DE: $6.3MM
7. Quandre Diggs, S: $5.8MM
8. Rashaad Penny, RB: $5.63MM
9. Jason Myers, Ok: $5MM
10. Shelby Harris, DT: $4.71MM

The highest of Seattle’s payroll reveals how a lot modified this 12 months. Expectations are unusually low for one of many league’s steadiest franchises, and shortly this reset will immediate thorough examinations of the school recreation’s high arms. Pursuits of the NFC’s seventh seed ended with 9-8 Bears and Eagles groups commandeering these slots over the previous two seasons. Given the convention’s depth getting into this season, it isn’t out of the query the Seahawks can dangle round.

After all, earlier than these hopes might be thought of practical, this Seahawks season begins with a NASCAR-style vibe. Their largest recreation might be first on the schedule.