The Seattle Seahawks have a large number of free agents this offseason. While they need to re-sign a few starters, there are a few backups that should definitely be brought back as well.
The top end talent gets all the coverage, but John Schneider and the Seattle Seahawks know that you cannot win a Super Bowl without great depth. Just because a player never developed into a starter, doesn’t mean they don’t have enough value that they shouldn’t be brought back if possible.
After going through the list of free agents the Seahawks have, there are five backups that Seattle definitely needs to bring back for the 2016 season.
Exclusive rights free agents weren’t considered here. They have no choice but to re-sign at the league minimum. Bringing all of them back for training camp is a complete no-brainer.
Tarvaris Jackson
The Seahawks want the 32 year old backup QB back. Just like last year though, Jackson will be looking for a opportunity where he’s more likely to see the field. If he doesn’t find that opportunity, then we can expect him back in Seattle.
Jackson brings experience as a starter and knowledge of Seattle’s offense. He is also a leader in the locker room and is well respected by his teammates.
He also offers no threat to Wilson, either on the field or in the locker room. Jackson is a great teammate, and wouldn’t dare do anything that would undermine Wilson with the rest of the team.
Every year there’s a team that reminds everyone of the importance of having a decent backup QB. The Seahawks need to bring back Jackson so they don’t end up like the 2015 Cowboys if disaster strikes.
Next: The unsung linebacker
Mike Morgan
When you think of Seattle’s talented linebackers, the name Mike Morgan probably isn’t a name that comes to mind. Even when considering the backups, Morgan doesn’t have the name necognition that the youngsters like Kevin Pierre-Louis and Eric Pinkins have.
And yet, Morgan has had a way of sticking on the roster year and year. Heralded draft picks have come and gone, and somehow Morgan has always managed to secure a place on the roster.
Morgan has been a mainstay on special teams. More than anything else, his effort on those units have been where his impact has been felt for the Seahawks.
Morgan has also proven capable when asked to contribute on defense. It was Morgan, and not KPL, who got the start in Week 17 against Arizona when Bruce Irvin couldn’t play. Morgan also got the start at defensive end back in the 2012 season.
Those two starts demonstrate Morgan’s biggest asset. He is incredibly versatile. He is capable of playing defensive end as well as all three linebacker spots.
Good teams can never have enough depth players like Morgan, and it would be a mistake for the Seahawks to let him go.
Next: The versatile big man
Alvin Bailey
Alvin Bailey went into last season as the heir at LG. That plan lasted only a couple of weeks before he was replaced by Justin Britt. Bailey returned to his role as a backup, and continued to show his value in the role.
Bailey can competently play four different positions along the offensive line. That’s rare, and extremely valuable on game days when teams can only dress 46 players.
It isn’t easy to find a backup offensive linemen who can step in and play left tackle without a massive drop off in quality from the starter. Bailey has filled in admirably for Russell Okung when he was needed.
The Seahawks dealt with having to replace two starters last season on the line. They have two more free agent starters this season. Having a guy that can fill in everywhere will be extremely valuable as the unit remains in a state of flux.
Next: The yo-yo center
Lemuel Jean-Pierre
Lemuel Jean-Pierre’s value is very similar to Bailey’s listed earlier. He is a versatile player that can competently play all three interior line positions.
The Seahawks have been trying to replace LJP with a younger player for the last couple of years. Despite those efforts, he keeps coming back and playing important role in their team’s line depth.
It is time for the Seahawks to commit to Jean-Pierre as a long term backup. With the starters so unsettled, having a dependable veteran backup is a asset that the Seahawks need.
Next: The prodigal running back
Christine Michael
It is odd that Christine Michael’s name is included here. This is the same CMike that the Seahawks gave up on last year and traded him to Dallas. Dallas, and later Washington, gave up on him as well. He was only back with the Seahawks because both Lynch and Rawls were injured.
That experience was good for Michael. He was humbled, and he came back to Seattle eager to finally ready to listen and learn.
CMike made the most of his second chance. He looked both explosive and patient. He ran hard and under control. For the first time, he looked like the guy the Seahawks thought they were drafting back in 2013.
With Lynch and Fred Jackson retiring, the Seahawks need someone to backup Thomas Rawls. This new version of Christine Michael would be prefect for that role.