Three quick predictions for the Seahawks offseason

The Seahawks enter a potentially less volatile offseason than previous ones. The team still needs to make some big moves to get better, though.

The Seahawks enter the offseason with fewer issues than in recent years. That is both good and bad. On the good side and in seasons prior to 2018, Seattle fans assumed their favorite team had a really good chance to go deep in the playoffs. But in 2018 12s didn’t have the same confidence and were pleasantly surprised with the season’s outcome.

The bad part is that Seattle still needs help to get better for 2019 and beyond. 12s certainly don’t want Seattle to simply become a high level of mediocrity. Teams can create a situation where they sign talented players to contracts long-term but the team never gets back to championship level due to retaining their own talent but not affording more. This has happened recently to the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons.

For Seattle to improve they must make more aggressive moves in limited fashion to enhance their chances to win another Super Bowl sooner rather than later. Here are three moves I think Seattle makes this offseason.

The Seahawks extend Frank Clark

I don’t think the Seahawks simply let the contract talks with Clark fade into the easy decision to franchise tag the defensive end. Seattle should make a statement for how they see the future and come to terms with Clark. I think they do this. My guess is that Clark ends up with a contract that pays him $16 million a season for three to four years. Edge rushers are worth that in today’s NFL and I think Seattle sees the value in keeping Clark.

Seattle continues not reaching out to Russell Wilson about an extension

Wilson is signed through 2019 already. Seattle has no need to rush to extend their quarterback. Is Wilson worth the $30 million a year it may take to sign him for several seasons? Maybe. But waiting to talk extension is better for the team and the quarterback.

If Wilson were to get injured, his value might diminish. I hope that never happens and Wilson is healthy enough to be productive for the next 50 years And Seattle wouldn’t really be a winner in this equation as they need Wilson to win when he is healthy. But financially there would be a boon as a diminished contract for their quarterback means more money to spend on other positions of need.

Plus, Seattle would simply franchise tag Wilson should there be a real contract dispute. There won’t be a dispute most likely but there could be; I should make that clear. But a Wilson injury would make any NFL pundit outside of Seattle happy because that would create drama.

Wilson would benefit by not signing an extension this season, though, as other quarterbacks might re-sign with their own teams this offseason and raise his asking price. Wilson’s agent Mark Rodgers would love that. And so would Wilson. Either way, however, Wilson is with the Seahawks for a lot more years because Seattle isn’t letting Wilson go.

The Seahawks take Zach Allen with their first pick in the NFL draft

Seattle needs pass rushers. Really what they need is three Frank Clarks. That isn’t going to happen. But Allen has the size to be a good end. Plus, he has proven talent when it comes to stopping the run. Seattle needs an end who can get to an opposing quarterback and tackle an opposing running back. Allen can do that.

Allen could also easily fall to the Seahawks even if Seattle trades down in the first round or even completely out of it. Allen might last until the second round. Taking Allen in the second round is a benefit to Seattle financially and still improves the team in the future. That is what one would call a win-win as Allen still gets paid and Seattle has to pay a little less than a first round pick.