Chris Clemons Should Get A New Deal, And Soon

If you’ve been paying attention to the recent OTAs for the Seahawks, then you’ve probably noticed that a lot of the talk has been about Bruce Irvin, who’s been getting all the reps as the first team LEO. The reason why he’s been getting all those reps is because the real first-team Leo, Chris Clemons, is conspicuously absent.

These OTAs are optional, so there’s no reason to be overly concerned at this point, but this situation could become something to about if he starts missing the mandatory workouts. I don’t think things will get to that point, but it is still a situation worth watching.

Clemons is in the final year of his contract that he signed with the Eagles, and will make around $4 million this season. He’s underpaid, but not horribly so. The real issue is just that Clemons wants an extension. He’d like to get 3 more years added to his deal, and a few guaranteed millions in his pocket. Its hard to make any sort of argument that says he doesn’t deserve it.

Clemons has had double digit sacks in both of his seasons with the Seahawks, and did so with almost no help along the defensive line. Clemons is 30, so there is some risk of injury that comes with any player over 30, but Clemons has never been injury prone. I just see no reason to be concerned, as long as the extension isn’t for more than 3 years.

There just isn’t a reason why this shouldn’t get done. The Seahawks have plenty of cap space left this season, they could easily front load this deal so that most of the money and cap usage could be placed in 2012 and 2013, so if there’s need need could be let go after that w/o penalty if the deal didn’t work out.

I know Bruce Irvin is the future at the Leo position, but he has a ways to go before he’s ready to take over And if Irvin develops faster than expected, then there will be a way to get them both on the field at the same time.

The Seahawks need to get this done before it becomes an issue.