Are the Seahawks about to lose Russell Okung too?
By Dan Viens
Left tackle Russell Okung is set to meet with two teams Friday as he begins to guage his value on the NFL free agent market.
Things have been pretty quiet on the Russell Okung front since the official start of NFL free agency Wednesday, but he admittedly had a late start. Because he’s choosing to forego having an agent, and instead represent himself, he wasn’t allowed to negotiate directly with teams during the league’s “legal tampering period” Monday and Tuesday. There were reports late yesterday that the Seahawks were making a push to keep their veteran left tackle, but now it appears they may have some stiff competition.
Okung intends to meet with both the Detroit Lions and New York Giants Friday, two teams in need of upgrades on the offensive line.
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Okung says the meetings are scheduled “as of now,” which could indicate his willingness to listen if the Seahawks have any wiggle room left to increase their offer. But Seattle may not have much salary cap room left to work with after bringing back free agents Jeremy Lane, Ahtyba Rubin and Jermaine Kearse over the last 3 days. Certainly, they have a certain amount of resources set aside for Okung, but how far they’re willing to go remains to be seen.
Okung is still recovering from shoulder surgery after suffering an injury in the final playoff loss in Carolina, but is said to be on track to be healthy by the start of the regular season.
Since being the 6th overall pick in the 2010 draft, Okung has proven himself to be a solid, but not spectacular left tackle. He’s battled injury issues throughout his career. He may be seeking a contract similar to what the Redskins Trent Williams signed this last season. Williams, also a left tackle, was chosen two picks ahead of Okung in the same draft. He signed 5 year, $66 million extension with Washington in August. That would likely be too much for the Seahawks liking.
If Okung were to depart, the Seahawks could turn their attention to veteran LT Donald Penn, who stated on NFL Network this week that the Seahawks could be an option in his own free agency. Penn has been a model of consistency over the last 8 years in Oakland, not missing a game.
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There have also been rumblings that All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas may want out of Cleveland, but the cost of acquiring him may be too high for the Hawks.