Seahawks Enter Offseason With Many Free Agents

John Schneider’s housecleaning of the roster has been fast and drastic, but it has also left the Seahawks with many expiring contracts. I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing, though, don’t get me wrong. Schneider was able to get the Seahawks out from under a large number of bad Tim Ruskell contracts, and that’s a good thing. It just left the team with a large number of players to have to re-sign or replace.

Key Unrestricted Free Agents:

• Red Bryant
• Marshawn Lynch
• David Hawthorne

These three must remain in Seattle, or it would really set the Seahawks back and force them to use resources (like draft picks) that should be being used to improve other areas of the team. All 3 have expressed a desire to stay in Seattle, and have said they have no interest in testing how much they might be able to earn in free agency. I expect all 3 to be signed soon, and to team-friendly deals.

Unrestricted Free Agents:

• QB Charlie Whitehurst
• OL Paul McQuistan
• LB David Voroba
• FB Michael Robinson
• LB Leroy Hill  
• FB Michael Robinson
• RB Justin Forsett
• DE Raheem Brock
• TE John Carlson
• RT Breno Giacomini
• QB Charlie Whitehurst
• OL Paul McQuistan
• LB Heath Farwell
• DL Anthony Hargrove
• S Atari Bigby
• OL Mike Gibson
• LB Matt McCoy
• DE Jimmy Wilkerson

Unrestricted Free Agents can sign anywhere once the free agency period beings. Until that point, the Seahawks will try and sign any of these players that they wish to retain for next season.While a few will be back, I expect most to be gone next season. Expected back are Wilkerson, Giacomini, Voroba, McCoy, McQuistan and Robinson.

Restricted Free Agents

• Roy Lewis
• Steven Hauschka

Lewis and Hauschka are free to sign anywhere, but the team that signs them will have to give up draft compensation to the Seahawks. The level of that compensation depends on the size of the 1-year contract offered to them. The Seahawks can skill that process by signing them to longer deal if such a deal can be worked out.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

• Kennard Cox
• Clinton McDonald

Cox and McDonald don’t not have contracts for 2012, but can only negotiate with the Seahawks unless the Seahawks choose to release them.