State of 2022 Seahawks Requires Patience, Especially at Quarterback

“It simply introduced me again to this vitality of the 2012 draft,” John Schneider stated of the media protection across the NFC West and the Seahawks’ 2022 draft outlook. But the Seattle basic supervisor’s pre-draft feedback ought to function a “READ THE SMALL PRINT” warning.

Now 10 years on from 2012, the 2022 draft—and season—ought to be considered with extra persistence. This season ought to be filled with a tolerance and stoicism that extends to the quarterback place, whether or not it’s Geno Smith, Drew Lock or a rookie choose below heart.

Why? Properly, 2012 noticed a younger roster blossom collectively, whereas 2022 is a dramatically totally different proposition from each a expertise and cap standpoint.

The optimistic of dropping franchise quarterback Russell Wilson is the cap house created from clearing his hefty contact off the books, liberating the group to spend that cash on the remainder of the roster. Wilson’s final contract signed with the group took up a per-year common of 18.6 p.c of the cap.

Nevertheless, the Wilson commerce has left Seattle with $26 million of useless cash in 2022, or 11.97 p.c of its cap. In complete, the Seahawks have a staggering 20.53 p.c of their cap taken up by useless cash. That’s fourth-most within the league (the Falcons lead the league with 29.84 p.c). In 2023, Wilson’s useless cash will probably be utterly off the books.

Due to this fact, financially talking, Seattle’s spending energy subsequent offseason will probably be far better. In 2023, Spotrac estimates the group’s top-51 cap house at $70,133,287; Over The Cap has it at $86,463,328. By way of gamers the Seahawks will wish to re-sign, DK Metcalf is the apparent huge title. Poona Ford, Rashaad Penny and Cody Barton could earn new offers too. The additional cash from not having a franchise quarterback will probably be felt even when all these gamers are retained.

The prevailing veteran participant contracts will not be dissimilar from 2023 to 2012. Seattle’s two highest contracts on the books for 2023 are Jamal Adams (8.23 p.c of the cap, per Over The Cap) and Quandre Diggs (8.22 p.c). In 2012, Seattle’s highest earners have been paid related, though there was the shortage of the true elite contract. Russell Okung accounted for 7.4 p.c, Sidney Rice 6.8 p.c and Zach Miller 5.8 p.c.

The 2012 roster noticed Russell Wilson’s third-round rookie deal enter the books. The very best paid quarterback was free agent addition Matt Flynn. Per Over The Cap, Flynn’s wage accounted for simply 3.3 p.c of the cap that season. The ex-Packer’s common per yr as a proportion of the cap got here in at 5.4 p.c.

In the meantime, the 2022 roster has not been replenished with youthful expertise at even near the extent 2012 was.

The 2012 marketing campaign was preceded by 9 draft picks in 2010, with 4 arriving within the top-120—three within the top-100, three within the top-75 and two within the top-15. Seattle’s 2011 class featured one other 9 draft picks, with 4 coming within the top-120, three within the top-100 and two within the top-75.

The 2012 draft itself then contained 10 picks: 5 within the top-120, three within the top-100, three within the top-75 and one within the top-15.

For 2022, the Seahawks have eight picks, with 5 within the top-120, 4 within the top-100, three within the top-75 and one within the top-15. Nevertheless, the commerce that introduced Adams over from the Jets in 2020 resulted in a scarcity of property for the 2021 draft. 

All of which means the 2023 season is the place Seattle will probably be in a greater place to compete. Subsequent yr’s monetary advantages and extra stocked roster ought to see the Seahawks be simpler at defending and carrying a lesser contract quarterback than they’re in 2022.