Seattle Seahawks – Evaluating internal free agents
Ed Stein
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Expect a very busy offseason for the Seattle Seahawks. Before signing new players, they need to re-sign some internal free agents.
The offseason started early for the Seattle Seahawks this year. Nobody expected a first round playoff loss division rival Rams. Especially when John Wolford started for Los Angeles at quarterback. Instead, it was Heartbreak City in the Emerald City.
So, what’s next? According to overthecap.com, Seattle has 34 players signed for next season. That means they have 20 spots to fill and just north of $17.5M to do it with. GM John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll have their work cut out for them.
A good place to start when filling out the 2021 roster is with internal free agents. The Seahawks have a total of 31 eligible free agents. 24 are unrestricted (UFA), 3 restricted (RFA), and 4 exclusive restricted free agents (ERFA). Among the notable names on the list are:
- Chris Carson
- Carlos Hyde
- Poona Ford
- Shaquill Griffin
- Ethan Pocic
- Quinton Dunbar
- Mike Iupati
- K.J. Wright
- Jordan Simmons
- Cedric Ogbuehi
- Benson Mayowa
- David Moore
Restructures
There may be a restructuring of some contracts to keep more of these guys. Also, this may happen, so the team has some money to go after other free agents. Keep in mind that the team also must set aside money for their draft picks.
For example, defensive end Carlos Dunlap has a year left on the contract that pays him $14M for 2021. There is no cap penalty if he gets cut, so his money isn’t guaranteed. Would he sign a two-year, $22M deal with a $12M guarantee? If so, that’s another $3M for Schneider to work with and they keep Dunlap through 2022.
The remaining two years, $37.5M on Bobby Wagner‘s contract aren’t guaranteed. Would he restructure, say, four-years, $50M, with a $25M guarantee. That opens over $5M to bring back his wingman K.J. Wright for 2021.
UFA’s
Among the unrestricted impact free agents, Shaquill Griffin and Wright are priorities. Griffin has turned into a top-tier cover corner, and they aren’t cheap. I’m not sure anyone trusts Tre Flowers enough to do the job if Griffin goes to another team. Wright isn’t indispensable, but he is really good. He’ll likely take a hometown discount to stay.
.@Seahawks LB @KJ_WRIGHT34 was the only player in the NFL with 10-plus tackles for loss (11) and 10-plus passes defensed (10) this season. #GoHawks pic.twitter.com/dkpBgLQHdc
— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) January 9, 2021
With the running back position devalued financially, it’s not hard to see Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde playing somewhere else next year. The Seattle Seahawks still have 2018 first round pick Rashaad Penny, Travis Homer, and Deejay Dallas on the roster.
RFA’s
The Seahawks have seven restricted free agents. It’s doubtful any of them get an offer sheet someplace else. Out of Kyle Fuller, Shaqueem Griffin, Jordan Simmons, Brian Mone, Poona Ford, Ryan Neal, and Linden Stephens, five should be back for close to the league minimum. However, Ford should probably get a little more, with some guaranteed money. All totaled, the RFA’s will cost Seattle $5-5.5M.
Ryan Neal intercepts the pass in the end zone and the @Seahawks hang on! #DALvsSEA pic.twitter.com/uYpWa7Khth
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2020
Which internal free agents do you think the Seattle Seahawks should re-sign? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.