The key to a Seahawks Super Bowl is…. Joe Thomas

If the Seattle Seahawks are serious about getting to their 3rd Super Bowl in four years, they need to make a bold move to bolster their offensive line.

I’ll put it as bluntly as I can; The Seattle Seahawks can not win the Super Bowl this year, or even get there for that matter, with Bradley Sowell as their starting left tackle.

For all of the optimism from the fan base that the team will adjust, adapt, improve, and figure out how to win with the offensive line they have in place, it’s just not realistic. Because here’s the reality, Sowell isn’t just an average….replacement-level player.

He might just be the worst starting left tackle in the league.

Keith is working on some film breakdown to explain in greater detail, but the proof is in what we’ve seen on the field so far, and it doesn’t appear he has the athletic upside to expect any sort of dramatic improvement out of him.

There’s a reason the Cardinals didn’t even want him back as a backup, and there’s a reason he wasn’t flooded with offers as a free agent this off season.

There isn’t a player on the current roster capable of stepping in for Sowell as an upgrade, so we have to think outside the organization.

Trades in the NFL aren’t easy to make. Trades for outstanding players who can make an immediate impact for you are even more rare. And I’m talking about trading for an elite player.

It may be a bit like hunting for a unicorn.

But I’m here to tell you, Cleveland LT Joe Thomas could be the final piece of the puzzle to elevate the Hawks right back to Super Bowl-contention status.

So how do you make it work? It won’t be easy. For starters, I’d be willing to give them a 2017 first round pick, in a heartbeat, without even a second thought. Thomas is in his prime at 31 years old and still playing at a high level. The nine time Pro Bowler and six time first team All Pro has virtually no chance to ever see the playoffs again as a Brown. His team is already 0-2 and down to their third string QB. From the Cleveland side, moving Thomas for valuable assets make a lot of sense. A first rounder from the Seahawks would give them three in 2017.

No team needs high draft picks more than the Browns.

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But then there is the issue of money, and how it would all fit under the salary cap. Currently the Seahawks have just under $5.8 million in cap space. If they made the deal today, they would be on the hook for about $8.3 million due Thomas the rest of this season. Obviously, that doesn’t work. Players would have to be involved.

Cutting Sowell would be a no-brainer, that saves you $800,000. Still not there.

Know what would work? Moving afterthought-TE Jimmy Graham. If the Browns wanted him, perfect! If not, you could move him to another team and save $7.8 million. It’s a perfect match.

Look. It’s complicated, and difficult. But it makes too much sense from both sides to simply dismiss. And this wouldn’t just be a short-term fix. Thomas is signed through 2018. Lock down LT with him, and suddenly you have the makings of a damn good, long-term offensive line core.

And as the teams get deeper into the season, the amount of money owed Thomas obviously decreases, bringing it more in line with available cap space. The league’s trading deadline is November 1st, after the Hawks 7th game. At that point Thomas will be owed $5.3 million for the rest of the season. It becomes more feasible the longer they wait.

But wait too long, and the season may just slip away.

Next: Trying to take the optimistic view after Rams loss

In the meantime, maybe Sowell improves to the point that Seattle is rolling through the NFC on their way to the #1 seed!

And maybe I’ll find that unicorn I’ve been chasing at the same time.