Seahawks Cut Robert Gallery, Make Big Changes At Guard

In what is the most surprising move by the Seahawks so far in this young season, the Seahawks have cut starting LG Robert Gallery. This move appear to be mostly due to salary cap reasons. Gallery was scheduled to make $6.5 million this season, which is rather high for his position.

Gallery struggled early last season when he was beset with injuries, but he got better as the season wore on. Gallery was brought in to be the veteran leader on a very young offensive line, but his absence early in the season didn’t allow him to take over that leadership role as quickly as was expected.

At the same time that the Seahawks announced Gallery’s departure, they also announced that Paul McQuistan was re-signed. McQuistan started 10 games in 2011, playing at both guard and tackle. McQuistan appears to now be in line to be the starter at LG, due to the departure of Gallery.

Steve Hutchinson (remember him?) who was released by the Vikings a few days ago, is also scheduled to make a visit to the Seahawks this week. Hutchinson was released 6 years into the 7 year “poison pill” deal that was signed back in 2006. Hutchinson has battled injuries the past couple of seasons, and has not been the same dominant guard he once was.