Seattle, WA
Seahawks Q&A: What’s the best-case scenario for Seattle in 2022?
This week’s Seahawks Q&A options questions on Seattle’s best-case state of affairs in 2022 and the way forward for the NFC West.
Lefko: Why that is the 12 months Seahawks will lastly characteristic TEs extra
With so many great questions submitted on Twitter, this turned the ultimate installment of a three-part mailbag. You’ll be able to learn half one right here, and half two right here.
@SteakCzar: What could be your absolute best-case state of affairs for the Seahawks this season? (Aside from the plain Tremendous Bowl win.)
A top-five protection and a top-five run recreation.
Extensive receiver DK Metcalf is likely one of the largest stars on this workforce, and deservedly so. On the shut of 2022, he’ll nonetheless be an enormous star. However the best-case state of affairs for the Seahawks is that the checklist grows over the subsequent a number of months, particularly with the addition of younger defenders. Why? As a result of it means the guess Pete Carroll made – that he can win one other championship with out sacrificing his core philosophy – could have paid off for at the least one season.
It additionally means Seattle’s investments are paying off. Rashaad Penny may be enjoying on a comparatively team-friendly deal this 12 months, however he was nonetheless a former first-round choose. They used a second-round choose on rookie halfback Ken Walker, a first-round choose on linebacker Jordyn Brooks, a second-round choose on Darrell Taylor, and traded two firsts for Jamal Adams earlier than making him the very best paid security in NFL historical past. If any of those gamers discover their title within the All-Professional or Professional Bowl dialog this season, take into account 2022 successful.
A top-five protection or top-five run recreation wouldn’t essentially make Seattle a playoff workforce (although boasting each will surely enhance these odds). The Carolina Panthers gave up the second-fewest yards final 12 months to opposing offenses and missed the postseason, whereas New Orleans completed prime three in weighted DVOA and in addition fell quick. However making enhancements in each classes shall be a key measuring stick for the Seahawks this 12 months.
@Luicas69: When do the Seahawks plan to be in competition for the division?
It’s an amazing query, and sadly depending on a ton of variables, the solutions to lots of which aren’t particularly clear simply but.
A simple place to start out is by trying on the quarterbacks, entrance workplace stability, and stars.
Rams defensive sort out Aaron Donald is returning to Los Angeles – a lot to the chagrin of the remainder of the NFC West – on a reworked three-year contract, although their stalwart proper sort out Rob Havenstein is enjoying beneath the ultimate 12 months of his contract and huge receiver Cooper Kupp shall be looking for a brand new deal after 2023.
In Arizona, each Budda Baker and Kyler Murray grow to be free brokers in March 2024. The Cardinals will presumably lengthen their franchise quarterback, however (because it does with any workforce) that’ll restrict the pliability they’ve for different contracts.
In San Francisco, there’s the curious case of Trey Lance, a gifted passer who lacked the school expertise of another excessive picks and has but to take over as a full-time starter. If he works out and turns into each bit as particular because the 49ers thought he may very well be, then they one thing each workforce envies: A difference-maker on a rookie deal. In the meantime although, they’ll want to determine what to do about Deebo Samuel’s extension. The star wideout accounted for 1,770 yards from scrimmage for the 49ers (670 greater than the next-closest participant) and 14 all-purpose touchdowns (eight greater than the next-closest participant).
Then you definately’ve obtained Seattle. The Seahawks might want to work out what to do about DK Metcalf’s contract. It’s one I at the moment anticipate them to get executed, however you by no means actually know with this workforce. In addition they want to seek out their quarterback of the long run. If Drew Lock can excel as a recreation supervisor on a workforce with a top-ranked protection or top-ranked run recreation, that’s nice – however it won’t be sufficient ultimately. Simply ask Titans followers and 49ers followers, each of whom have seen wildly proficient and aggressive groups fall wanting the Tremendous Bowl with out elite quarterback expertise. Discovering that participant is much from a easy process, contemplating different franchises have tried and failed for many years. However ought to they, they’ll have one of many extra team-friendly quarterback contracts within the division in two to 3 years.
Is Drew Lock exhibiting sufficient to maintain Seahawks from getting Mayfield?
Seattle, WA
State ferries: A better idea from Nordic countries
Seattle, WA
Manhunt underway for Mason County shooting suspect
MASON COUNTY, Wash. – The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is currently searching for a convicted felon wanted in a recent shooting.
The sheriff’s office says Michael Allen Beyer is wanted for first-degree assault and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
Deputies believe Beyer was involved in a shooting that happened in Belfair on January 6.
Beyer is considered armed and dangerous. If you see him, do not approach him and call 911 immediately.
Anyone with information regarding Beyer’s whereabouts is asked to call Detective Helser at 360-427-9670 x657, or Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
BEST OF FOX 13 SEATTLE
New 2025 laws that are now in effect in WA
Orca Tahlequah seen pushing second dead calf in WA waters
WA skiers demand action as ‘rampant’ thefts plague Stevens Pass
Here’s when you’ll need REAL ID to go through US airport security
New restaurants coming to Seattle in 2025
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 coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Seattle, WA
Two more Seattle restaurants close due to minimum wage hike
Two more Seattle restaurants are calling it quits thanks to the untenable minimum wage hike.
At the same time that the Seattle minimum wage rose from $19.97 an hour to $20.76 an hour, the city ended the tip credit of $2.72. Under the previous rules, restaurants were able to pay $17.25 hourly wage if their staff earned at least $2.72 in tips per hour. But as cost of business continues to skyrocket in Seattle, a minimum wage hike without a tip credit is simply untenable for many small businesses.
Jackson’s Catfish Corner in Seattle’s Central District closed its doors in this new year. In an interview with Converge Media, owner Terrell Jackson argued Seattle is too expensive to operate in.
“I know that the minimum wages went up to 20 bucks an hour … I know that’s hard for my business as a small Black business,” Jackson said. “I’m not Amazon or Walgreens or Walmart who can pay their employees that much.”
Jackson isn’t alone in his complaints.
More from Jason Rantz: Panic as Seattle restaurants may not survive massive minimum wage shift
A second West Seattle eatery closes, citing the minimum wage hike
Bel Gatto, a bakery and café, became the second West Seattle eatery to close its doors over the Seattle minimum wage hike. The owner posted a sign to the front door to thank supporters but said she can’t afford to stay open anymore.
“Our revenues, unfortunately, are not able to cover the close to 20% increase in mandated wages, salaries and payroll taxes put into effect by the Seattle City Council effective 1/1/25. This ruling has made the continuation of our bakery operations untenable,” the sign read.
The owner, Peter Levy, explained to the West Seattle Blog that, “we were approaching close to a break even status in the last quarter of 2024, but the requirement to absorb another $4,000 per month in payroll expenses with the new mandate by the city put a break even further from our grasp which is what led to the closure.”
Last week, a video by Corina Luckenbach, owner of Bebop Waffle Shop in West Seattle, went viral as she said the minimum wage hike was forcing her to close after 11 years. She said she didn’t have an extra $32,000 a year to pay her staff what the city mandates.
More from Jason Rantz: Democrats blame Los Angeles fires on climate change to deflect from their own complicity
Will more restaurants close?
Ahead of the minimum wage hike, restauranteurs offered many warnings over what’s to come.
Ethan Stowell operates a number of Seattle’s top restaurants, including How to Cook a Wolf, Staple and Fancy, and Tavolata. He warned this change would be exceptionally costly for businesses in an industry notorious for razor-thin margins. And restaurants can’t merely raise menu prices again.
“I know everybody wants to say, ‘Just raise things (on the menu) a dollar or two,’ and that’s what it’ll be. That’s very simplified math. I wish it was that easy, but it’s not. This is a large increase that’s probably large enough to be equal to or close to what most restaurants in Seattle profit,” Stowell told “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH.
Portage Bay Cafe co-owner Amy Fair Gunnar noted the minimum wage change will cost her about $45,000 more a month. She said restaurants will have to “seriously change what they’re doing or they’re going to close their doors.”
More from Jason Rantz: Here’s why Seattle residents vow to stop tipping in new year
Ignoring the warnings, mocking the business people
The warnings from restaurant owners were mostly ignored or mocked.
Efforts by the Seattle City Council to address the forthcoming crisis fell apart after activists said they didn’t want restaurants to get an exception. Council president Sara Nelson told “The Jason Rantz Show” they will take up the issue again this year but there’s no specific idea yet to forward for legislation. The Mayor of Seattle, Bruce Harrell, has been almost completely absent from the issue.
Left-wing voices, meanwhile, claim to not care. That if businesses “can’t afford to pay a living wage,” then they shouldn’t be in business.
One reporter with The Stranger mocked one of the closures, quipping on X, “Has anyone ever eaten at bebop waffle lol.” Left-wing Seattleites condemned the business for “creating a right wing media darling to complain about paying people a living wage.”
KING 5 reporter Maddie White helped elevate this talking point by citing the National Low Income Housing Coalition, claiming “the average renter needs to make upwards of $40 an hour to afford rent.” But she’s quoting a stat for two-bedrooms. Minimum wage jobs aren’t meant to cover the cost of a single person renting a two-bedroom home or apartment.
Ironically, as activists dismiss the concerns of small business owners, they fail to acknowledge the inevitable consequence: when those businesses shut down, people lose jobs. A $20.76 hourly minimum wage — even with a $2.72 tip credit — means nothing if you’re unemployed.
Listen to The Jason Rantz Show on weekday afternoons from 3-7 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow Jason Rantz on X, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
-
Business1 week ago
These are the top 7 issues facing the struggling restaurant industry in 2025
-
Culture1 week ago
The 25 worst losses in college football history, including Baylor’s 2024 entry at Colorado
-
Sports1 week ago
The top out-of-contract players available as free transfers: Kimmich, De Bruyne, Van Dijk…
-
Politics1 week ago
New Orleans attacker had 'remote detonator' for explosives in French Quarter, Biden says
-
Politics1 week ago
Carter's judicial picks reshaped the federal bench across the country
-
Politics6 days ago
Who Are the Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
-
Health5 days ago
Ozempic ‘microdosing’ is the new weight-loss trend: Should you try it?
-
World1 week ago
Ivory Coast says French troops to leave country after decades