What it means: Bryant went from nickel cornerback as a rookie to starting safety the past two seasons, starting 26 of 32 games played, recording seven interceptions, 13 passes defensed, two forced fumbles 139 tackles and five tackles for loss. With Bryant gone, the Seahawks will need a new starter at safety along with Julian Love, but they already have a very good option in house in Ty Okada, who started 11 games in 2025 filling in for both Love and Bryant. The Seahawks also, of course, have safety Nick Emmanwori, who showed a ton of versatility as a rookie, playing primarily in a nickel role.

What it means: Mafe, a second-round pick in 2022, was an important part of the Seahawks’ edge rotation along with Derick Hall, DeMarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu. Mafe played 65 games over four seasons with 34 starts, recording 164 tackles, 20.0 sacks, 24 tackles for loss and 36 quarterback hits, and had a career-best 9.0 sacks in 2023.

RB Kenneth Walker III (Chiefs)

What it means: A late-season surge, which included Super Bowl MVP honors, helped Walker become one of the top free agents on the market, and he quickly cashed in with a big contract with Kansas City. For the Seahawks, the move creates a clear need at running back, especially early in the season with Zach Charbonnet coming off a late-season knee injury. The Seahawks will have chances in free agency and the draft to add at running back, but Walker’s explosiveness will be hard to replicate.

What it means: Woolen, who enjoyed a breakout rookie season, earning Pro-Bowl honors after tying for the NFL lead with six interceptions in 2022, has been an important part of Seattle’s secondary since arriving as a fifth-round pick out of UTSA. Woolen appeared in 64 games over the past four seasons, starting 53, and had 12 interceptions and 53 passes defensed over that span. This past season, Woolen split playing time at cornerback with Josh Jobe, who the Seahawks re-signed on Tuesday. With Woolen gone, Jobe likely steps into a full-time starting role opposite Pro-Bowl corner Devon Witherspoon, though as is the case every offseason, the Seahawks will still look to add depth and competition at cornerback, as well as every other season.