Seahawks need to extend these three players before 2020

The Seahawks will have some money to spend this offseason and next. This is good because Seattle will be spending a lot on their own players.

Seattle, for once, has some money to spend this offseason. The Seahawks will have even more after the 2019 season. But a lot of these dollars should go towards Seattle re-signing its own players.

Seattle can be very good for several more seasons with another solid draft and a few good free agent pick ups in key areas (kicker and defensive end). But Seattle won’t spend tons on free agents from other teams because they cannot afford to.

Currently, Seattle has about $60 million in cap space for the 2019 season. Frank Clark, though, is a free agent and Seattle has to find a way to keep him. Justin Coleman is also a free agent Seattle should look at re-signing. Plus, Seattle will have to make a decision about whether to keep K.J. Wright or Mychal Kendricks or both.

But next offseason’s free agent group includes three players who need to remain Seahawks for several more years but will need to be paid a lot of money. A bunch of Seattle’s cap space next season (which is currently $108 million) is going to go to the three players below. Seattle needs to extend these players prior to them getting a sniff of free agency after the 2019 season.

Russell Wilson

Wilson‘s will be looking for this third contract in Seattle. He is worth another extension. Wilson remains one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. No, he isn’t perfect but what player is? Wilson still set career highs for touchdown passes this year (35) and quarterback rating (110.9). Seattle’s quarterback will be 31 years old next offseason. He can play well for lots of years to come.

Expected worth per year of Wilson’s next contract: $30-35 million

Bobby Wagner

Wagner is the best linebacker in the NFL. He will also be just 29 years old when he enters the 2019 season. Wagner has missed just two games over the last four seasons and has become the leader of the defense. The Seahawks need to make signing five-time Pro Bowler Wagner the second-biggest priority of their offseason next year.

Expected worth per year of Wagner’s next contract: $14-16 million

Jarran Reed

Reed had a massive season in 2018 with 10.5 sacks and 12 tackles-for-loss. He and Clark should be signed to long-term deals that keep them in Seattle and help them create one of the best defensive line duos in the league. The top eight defensive tackles currently make $12 million or more a year. If Reed has another season in 2019 like he did in 2018, he should be considered a top-end tackle. Plus, Reed will be just 27 when the 2020 season starts.

Expected worth per year of Reed’s next contract: $11-13 million