Seahawks re-signing Jermaine Kearse might be smart move
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks need a third option at receiver. But they might need a second now too. Is Jermaine Kearse the answer?
Seahawks fans, it is time to fret. There are lots of reports that Doug Baldwin not only has had surgeries (notice the plural) since the season ended, but is going to have more surgeries before this coming season. Seattle was already needing a good third option at wideout. With Baldwin’s issues, they might need a number two after Tyler Lockett now. Could Jermaine Kearse be the answer?
Kearse is currently a free agent after playing the last two seasons with the New York Jets. In 2017 he was good in New York. But in 2018, not so much. Still, Kearse is just 29 years old and has several years left to play. That is, if he is good enough.
Jermaine Kearse tells @cliffavril on @SportsRadioKJR that he'd like to return to the Seahawks but hasn't spoken personally to Pete Carroll or John Schneider. Said he assumes his agent has spoken to Carroll. Kearse's agent also represents Carroll.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) March 20, 2019
It is easy to overlook how trusted Kearse was in Seattle by Russell Wilson. Kearse never put up huge numbers in Seattle, but he was a part of some very important moments. Who can forget the catch Kearse made in the NFC Championship game against the Packers to send Seattle back to the Super Bowl in 2015? This, of course, came after Kearse had dropped two passes from Wilson that resulted in interceptions.
Kearse will never be a great receiver, but Wilson used him as a security blanket at times and that is important. Plus, Kearse is a hometown guy who cares about the team. After a 2018 offseason where it seemed Seattle got rid of certain players like Richard Sherman who appeared to care more about themselves than the team at times, Kearse might be a welcome return.
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The other important aspect is that Kearse would be coming back at a discounted rate. No team is going to pay him the $5 million he earned in 2018. If Seattle can re-sign Kearse at $3 million a year or less that leaves room for other needed players. For that amount of money, Kearse is worth bringing back to the Seahawks.