Four Seahawks who might not return in 2019

Doug Baldwin

First, I am not saying Baldwin shouldn’t return in 2019 because Baldwin is one of Seattle’s best players when healthy. He is a smart person and well-spoken. And though Baldwin might be outspoken about an off the field issue or two, I don’t think anyone has ever accused Baldwin of being an issue inside the locker room.

Secondly, the issue with Baldwin is he is an aging receiver who is signed for the next two seasons and his cap hit in each of 2019 and 2020 is $13 million-plus. Baldwin will be 31 years old on September 21st of 2019. If Seattle were to release him this offseason, they would save nearly $7 million in 2019 and $11 million in 2020. One could argue that money could be better used to invest in another defensive end or offensive lineman.

Baldwin is the type of receiver who uses his quickness to get open. As opposed to bigger and stronger receivers, smaller and quicker receivers tend not to be as productive well into their 30s. Even bigger receivers, like Brandon Marshall, are not as productive as they age. Plus, Baldwin had several injuries this season which limited how much he played.

And while we are all thankful that Tyler Lockett has a great 2018, his excellence may have made Baldwin more expendable. There is no mistake that Russell Wilson is a better quarterback with Baldwin on the field because he is. But Wilson and Lockett also had a perfect passer rating when Wilson targeted Lockett this year. Wilson to Lockett might be a better pairing for the next two seasons than Wilson to Baldwin. And less expensive.