NFL Free Agency 2014: Jermichael Finley’s Failed Physical Puts Seahawks In Tough Situation

Nov 18, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Packers beat the Lions 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The Jermichael Finley saga was pretty cut-and-dried after the first couple days of free agency — he was going to be a Seattle Seahawk and both he and the organization were excited about it.

… Pending a passed physical.

That didn’t go at all the way the Seahawks or Finley hoped and after failing his physical, Seattle is faced with a tough decision in the draft if either Austin Seferian-Jenkins or Jace Amaro is there at No. 32. Before the free agency period began, either (or both) were thought to be strong candidates to go to the Hawks at that position, regardless of the fact that Seattle needs an offensive tackle or guard.

Sep 21, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (88) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Idaho State Bengals during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Then of course Golden Tate walked in free agency amd Finley became the guy to fill a huge hole in the Seahawks’ offensive attack and the 32 pick became about receiver vs. offensive line. Now it’s being reported by NFL.com that the play-making tight end is still months away from signing with anybody, which could really give Pete Carroll and John Schneider pause when looking at what Amaro and/or ASJ bring to the table for their football team at No. 32 (if either is still available at that point, most projections are that both should be).

It should ease some minds that the Seahawks and Finley have already talked and it seems like they want to wait on his healing process to work itself out. After all, the doctors say there is a 99.9% chance of him making a full recovery eventually (it’s only been four months since surgery) and Finley has now switched gears after having been thought to want to finish his career in Green Bay early this month. Now, of course, he really wants to be in Seattle. With the re-signing of Anthony McCoy and with Zach Miller taking a pay-cut to stay, the Hawks just may be in the best position they could imagine as far as waiting-Finley-out goes.

That doesn’t make the decision to pass on two of the most dynamic and polarizing athletes in the draft any easier on May 8 when the Hawks close out the first round. We already know they need a kid who can make big plays in the passing game at WR and another kid who can block for Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch on the OL. It might be tough to pass on a kid who could potentially do both really well, especially the hometown hero.