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Seattle Seahawks Need Tarvaris Jackson To Return

By Holli Joyce

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Tarvaris Jackson has spent the past two years as the Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback and mentor to Russell Wilson. At 32 years old, his professional football career is near its end. He is a current unsigned free agent, hoping to end his career in Minnesota where it began in 2006.

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“I still go (to Minnesota) to train every summer,” Jackson said to the Pioneer Press. “I love being in Minnesota. It’s a place that I’ll never forget. It’s a part of my life.’’

Jackson also mentioned he believes he can help Teddy Bridgewater, similar to his mentoring role to Wilson.

But while Jackson is eyeing The North Star State, the Seahawks still have interest in keeping him on their roster.

Head coach Pete Carroll said the Seahawks want him back and negotiations have been underway. Those statements are backed up by General Manager John Schneider who said in late April that Jackson is “feeling his way through free agency” and they would “love to have him back.”

“I think it’s just a matter of free agency and the timing,” Schneider added, explaining why no deal has been made yet.

“He’s feeling his way through free agency as we are. He knows we’d love to have him back.” -John Schneider

According to ProFootballTalk, Jackson might be waiting until after May 12 – the deadline which determines how free agency signings count toward compensatory draft picks. Any team that signs Jackson after the deadline won’t have to factor him into the compensatory formula.

Jackson visited with the Miami Dolphins in March, but the team decided to sign Matt Moore and Josh Freeman to backup Ryan Tannehill.

So while free agency isn’t panning out as Jackson hoped, especially with Minnesota as they have signed Shaun Hill, it’s beginning to become clear that Seattle is where he should be.

First off, he knows offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s offense. Even though Jackson has just four appearances in the past two years, he has completed 11 of 14 passes. Yes, he was on the field when the Seahawks had large leads, including Super Bowl XLVIII, but the point is he can create plays with the same offense as Wilson.

Jackson is also a locker room favorite. He is well-respected by his former teammates, who have been known to share their love on Twitter.

His respect was gained during the 2011 season. Jackson was the Seahawks starting quarterback, playing most of the season with a strained pectoral muscle. It was a challenge practicing back-to-back days for nearly a month. An injured Jackson remained Seattle’s best quarterback option because even then he was better than Charlie Whitehurst.

“At that moment you could tell his leadership capabilities were through the roof,” wide receiver Doug Baldwin told The Seattle Times, describing a 2011 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Whitehurst started that game – along with the week before – but was benched during the second quarter. Carroll put a hurt Jackson on the field, knowing he would perform better. Jackson attempted 40 passes in the loss, getting hit 12 times. But despite the circumstances, he remained calm in the huddle.

“It was unparallel to anything I’ve seen before,” Baldwin said. “It was just one of those moments where there’s one guy in the huddle everyone is staring at, and you don’t feel anybody else but him.”

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson has proven he will do whatever it takes for the team to succeed, even if he has to play with an injury.

Seattle is also beginning to run out of options to fill the backup quarterback vacancy. The current roster includes B.J. Daniels and R.J. Archer as backups. Daniels hasn’t played in a regular season game and has been rumored to act as a receiver. Archer seems like he’s there to help out receivers during camp, helping with reps instead of fighting for the backup position.

Since he hasn’t been picked up by another team, Seattle has a chance to re-sign Jackson to a contract for less money, saving salary cap space. Instead of paying a salary to his demands, the Seahawks can pay him according to his market worth.

All roads lead to the Seahawks needing Jackson. The organization is familiar, the front office and players trust him, and it’s the only place willing to offer a contract. If Jackson wants to stay in the league, Seattle is the place to be. He is capable of playing at least one more year and he can play on the team that truly adores him.

Next: Center will be Seattle's most interesting roster battle this year

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