Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks.
If there is one constant in the National Football League, it’s “change.” Last season the Seattle Seahawks found out the hard way they didn’t have enough talent to compete. The team finished 7-10, which was the first time Seattle had a losing record since 2011, Pete Carroll’s second season with the Seahawks.
Their poor record led to a major team shakeup. Aside from replacing defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., the Seattle Seahawks traded franchise quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver in a blockbuster deal. They also released all-everything middle linebacker, Bobby Wagner.
In somewhat of a rebuilding mode, the Seahawks weren’t big players in free agency. As the roster continues to turn over, there are advantages to cutting players after June 1. It allows teams to spread any outstanding bonus money over two seasons instead of one, easing the burden of dead money against the salary cap.
The Seahawks can upgrade their squad even if they are in a rebuild. With some cap space left, plus whatever contracts get cleared out, they have should enough money to take advantage of a team struggling to get under the 2022 max of $208.2M.
Besides, the Seahawks also had to pony up some of the big bucks to D.K. Metcalf. The speedy wide receiver was due for a big raise, and the new deal ends his “hold in” at Seahawks training camp (in attendance but not practicing).
With their big haul of draft picks this year, several veterans are on the hot seat. Here are eight veterans in danger of leaving the Emerald City.
Dead Money – $1M, Cap Savings – $4M
In 2020, Jason Myers connected on all of his 24 field goal attempts, including 15 of 40-yards or more. He was probably the best kicker in football. That guy is worth $5M per season.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t maintain that level of success. Last season, he was miserable, converting only 17 of 23 field goal attempts. Myers also missed on 3 of 47 extra point attempts. This version isn’t worth the money.
Dead Money – $0, Cap Savings – $895K
The odds are not in Penny Hart‘s favor to remain with the Seattle Seahawks. With Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Dee Eskridge, and Freddie Swain returning from last season, plus a pair of seventh round draft picks this year, Bo Melton and Dareke Young, the numbers game doesn’t work for him.
Last year he was battling for the fifth receiver spot. Even that looks like an uphill battle now. Hart is competing with Marquise Goodwin, Cody Thompson, Aaron Fuller, and Cade Johnson to be the seventh receiver (maybe sixth if someone gets hurt).
Dead Money – $152K, Cap Savings – $895K
See Penny Hart.
Dead Money – $36K, Cap Savings – $965K
Much like Hart, Travis Homer manages to stick around. He’s had his moments, like last season’s 73-yard touchdown run on a fake punt against San Francisco in Game 12.
Additionally, Homer is injury prone. He’s missed 10 games in three pro seasons. One million dollars seems like a lot of money for a fourth-string running back who doubles as a special teams surprise.
Dead Money – $0, Cap Savings – $2.45M
Phil Haynes is here for several reasons. Kyle Fuller or Dakoda Shepley could be in this spot just as easily. This is another bang-for-the-buck decision. Due to various injury issues, the Seattle Seahawks 2019 fourth-round pick from Wake Forest has played a total of 7 games in 3 years.
For $2.45M, the Seahawks can get a lineman whose ready to play and can protect the quarterback when necessary. Haynes has talent, but sometimes the best ability is availability. Something that he struggles mightily with.
Ben Bur-Kirven was originally on this list. Tuesday, the Seattle Seahawks waived him following a failed physical.
Dead Money – $2.46M, Cap Savings – $986K
It’s fair to say that after three NFL seasons, Seattle’s 2019 first round pick, L.J. Collier, has been a huge disappointment. For proof, check out the numbers: 33 games played, 930 snaps, 33 tackles (21 solo), and three sacks.
Collier can’t get a good push against opposing offensive linemen on pass plays. And he gets manhandled against the run.
On May 1, the Seahawks declined their fifth-year option on him. Many thought he would be traded either before or at the 2022 Draft. Odds are Seattle General Manager John Schneider will find him a new home before the team breaks camp.
Dead Money – $0, Cap Savings – $895K
Due to injuries among their corners last summer, the Seattle Seahawks acquired John Reid from Houston on August 24. A week later, they cut him. And a week after that, he was re-signed. In a league where anyone who can cover man-to-man has a job, Reid went unclaimed. That should tell fans all they need to know about him.
Reid did play 132 defensive snaps in 11 games, so he had some value. But not much. The Seahawks drafted two cornerbacks, Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen, in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively, this year. Add them to Sidney Jones IV, Artie Burns, Tre’ Brown, and Ugo Amadi, and it will be very difficult for Reid to break camp with the team.
Dead Money – $639K, Cap Savings – $1.23M
It’s really a sad story. Before the Jamal Adams trade in 2020, Marquise Blair was slated to start at safety opposite Quandre Diggs. Instead, Blair moved to nickelback. That lasted two games before he tore an ACL against New England.
Coming off of surgery to repair the damage, Blair was back with the team as a key reserve for the 2021 season. This time he made it through Game 7 when he broke his kneecap. Once again, surgery ended his season.
Not only did Ugo Amadi and Ryan Neal play well in his absence, but Seattle also brought back Justin Coleman to compete for the job. Blair has a “puncher’s chance” to make the team, but don’t bet on it just yet.
Do you think the Seattle Seahawks will cut any of these players? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.