Seattle Seahawks: 10 veterans on the hot seat
More change is coming to NFL rosters in two weeks. Some members of the Seattle Seahawks could find themselves out of a job on June 1.
If there is one constant in NFL football, it’s “change.” Last season the Seattle Seahawks found out the hard way they didn’t have enough talent to compete regularly with the league’s top teams. They finished 12-4, but only four games were against teams over .500, and their record them was 2-2.
Another free agent frenzy is coming on June 1. Cutting a player after that date allows the team to spread out any outstanding bonus money over two seasons instead of one. It’s a way of easing the burden of dead money against the salary cap.
The Seahawks have another chance to upgrade their team next month. It’s a buyers market for free agents, and the Seattle Seahawks have $7M under the cap available, which is about mid-pack, but eight teams have at least $20. Seattle could gain more cap room if they part ways (trade or release) with some players on the current roster. Here are 10 veterans in danger of leaving the Emerald City.
RT – Brandon Shell
Dead Money – $2M, Cap Savings – $3.35M
Brandon Shell battled injuries his first season in Seattle. When he wasn’t injured, Shell couldn’t pass block. Pass rushers were in Russell Wilson’s grill all season long. It feels like the only reason he’s still on the team is because the Seahawks couldn’t get anyone better. If a good enough tackle becomes available after June 1, Shell has to go.
Leonard Floyd's sixth sack this year against Seattle. Rams have sacked Russell Wilson a combined 14 times so far this season.
— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) January 9, 2021
OL – Jordan Simmons
Dead Money – $100K, Cap Savings – $1.1M
Jordan Simmons is another player from the 2018 draft that is on his last legs. Last season he played in 14 games but looked overmatched quite often. Simmons hasn’t developed as fast as the organization would like. Another thing that counts against him is the Seahawks’ other two backup guards, Kyle Fuller and Phil Haynes, can both play center.