Why The Seahawks Will Win Super Bowl 50

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Benett (72) and linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) fight with New England Patriots lineman Ryan Wendell (62) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) in the final minute in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks have a number of key players who are entering the final years of their contracts:

• QB Russell Wilson
• LT Russel Okung
• MLB Bobby Wagner
• RG J.R. Sweezy
• OLB Bruce Irvin
• DT Brandon Mebane

While some of you are fretting about this, I’m licking my chops.  The team has shown they are willing to invest in guys they feel they can win with, yet are unafraid to let good players walk as they continue to manage the cap and provide opportunities for the next wave of talented fill-ins.  This breeds an edge.  These guys are going to be focused, play harder than they’ve ever played, and play hurt if necessary.  If they don’t earn extensions in Seattle, they understand they are on display for the rest of the league as well and will try to maximize their return in free agency.

Not on this list but in a similar mindset are Michael Bennett and Marshawn Lynch.  Both have multiple years left on their deals, but Bennett has expressed dissatisfaction with his salary, and Lynch knows each season could be his last in Seattle.  If he wants to cash in as a possible cap-casualty in 2016, he needs to prove he has plenty left in the tank.

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