Seattle Seahawks must make tough decisions to free up cap space
Ed Stein
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A lowered 2021 salary cap puts the Seattle Seahawks in a tough position next season. It will take some financial magic to maintain a quality talent level. We have some ideas.
Next Sunday, the NFL wraps up another season. The next important date 12s have to look forward to is March 27, when free agency starts. Unfortunately, the Seattle Seahawks don’t have much money to spend due to a lower salary cap. It will take some tough decisions for the Seahawks to bring back their internal free agents, not to mention adding talent from the outside.
Because of the pandemic, the cap should drop a little over 11 percent or somewhere around $22.2M. That means depending on who you believe; the Seattle Seahawks have between $2.84M (overthecap.com) and 3.59M (spotrac.com) to work with. It’s not what they estimated when they put the 2020 team together.
With key players such as Shaquill Griffin, K.J. Wright, and Chris Carson about to hit the open market, the Seattle Seahawks have some big holes to fill. Here are a few ways they open up some additional space. The good news is that they don’t have to do anything drastic to the core like trade Bobby Wagner or Tyler Lockett.
Restructures
The most obvious choice to restructure is the team’s highest played player Russell Wilson. His contract and guaranteed money make a revised deal very difficult. Bobby Wagner is the next highest-paid. Here the Seahawks have a little room to work.
Wagner has two years and $29.5M left on his contract, with cap hits of $17.15 and $20.35M, respectively. Another season at $10M with $8M guaranteed should cut those numbers considerably.
Next up is Carlos Dunlap. The edge rusher who helped turn Seattle’s defense around has one year and $14M left on his deal, but none of it is guaranteed. Three years, $33M with $10M guaranteed (paid this year) works nicely for all parties. If not, he plays someplace else next season.
Cap Casualties
In this harsh economic reality, there are certain contracts the Seattle Seahawks can’t afford to keep.
Jarran Reed
Jarran Reed‘s cap hit for 2021 is $13.975M. That’s plenty of cash for an interior defensive lineman not named Aaron Donald. Especially when it took Dunlap’s arrival for him to get on track. By cutting him, the Seattle Seahawks save $8.975M. They need the money more than they need him.
Brandon Shell
Although Brandon Shell was an upgrade at right tackle over the Germain Ifedi/ George Fant duo, he wasn’t exactly an All-Pro, either. His pass blocking was poor before he injured his ankle. Afterward, he went downhill fast. Seattle picks up $2M by cutting him. He’s still serviceable, so its more likely Shell gets traded for a low round draft pick, and the Seahawks pick up $5.35M.
Ben Burr-Kirven
Former Washington Huskies standout linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven is no stranger to the Emerald City. He is, however, a stranger to the Seattle Seahawks defense. BBK is an outstanding special teams player, but he was on the field for only ten defensive snaps in 2020. The over $750K they save can shore up the roster.
Totals
Let’s add it all up. Restructuring Bobby Wagner’s contract from two-years $29.5M to three-years $39.5M with $8M guaranteed saves Seattle almost $4M in 2021 and $7.2M in 2022. If it meant bringing Wright back to the team, Wagner might be more inclined to restructure. Extending Carlos Dunlap from one-year, $14M (not guaranteed) to three-years, $33M, saves the Seahawks $3M in 2021 and keeps a valuable edge rusher around for a few more seasons.
Making some tough decisions, the Seattle Seahawks cut Jarran Reed and Ben Burr-Kirven, which results in another $9.725M. Ideally, Seattle trades Brandon Shell to pick up $5.35M. At worst, they cut him and gain $2M. With all these transactions, the Seahawks recoup a low of $17.72M to a high of $33.075 (trade Shell, release, or trade Dunlap).
Related Story: Top five Seahawks internal free agents to bring back
Looks like the Seahawks just cleared up some salary cap room. https://t.co/tTbMmdSm91
— Berzerker (@jbeck417) January 28, 2021
What moves do you think the Seattle Seahawks should make to open up cap space? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.