Seattle Seahawks Have Very Few Free Agents
By Keith Myers
It tough to turn the page and enter “offseason mode” after a year like this, but I’m slowly working on getting there. Don’t worry, we’ll get up to speed to shortly. In the meantime, lets start by looking at those players who are currently not under contract for next season. The list is surprisingly short:
Alan Branch
Jason Jones
Marcus Trufant
Deon Butler
Patrick Chukwurah
Clint Gresham
Steven Hauschka
Leroy Hill
Ryan Longwell
Chris Maragos
Clinton McDonald
Cameron Morrah
Frank Omiyale
Sep 16, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Kevin Ogletree (85) carries the ball and stiff arms Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Leroy Hill (56) during the 1st half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
I could see the Seahawks letting every single player on that list walk. None aren’t replaceable. It wont happen though, expect many to be re-signed to come back and compete for a roster spot in camp. Remember that rosters expand from 53 back to 90 when the 2013 league year officially starts, so there’s no reason to let someone leave if they are willing to sign for the minimum.
With that in mind, I expect LeRoy Hill to be brought back even though he’s lost playing time to younger players in each of the last 2 seasons. He’s a vet presence, and provides depth in case the draft doesn’t fall in a way where finding a replacement happens easily.
The same is true Alan Branch. He’ll cost more than the minimum to bring back, but as long as the number is under $2 mil having him there means the D-line wont be any worse than it was in 2012, and he does provide depth at 3 of the line spots.
Jason Jones is an interesting name. The team was decidedly better when him on the field. The problem is that he played in just 11 of 18 games this year. While he was a difference maker, it’s tough to pay a guy what it will cost to retain him if you can’t count on him to play more than 60% of the games.