How Seahawks can fix the defensive line in 4 free agent signings
By Geoff Shull
Step two: get Clowney a partner in crime
The second signing would be to prioritize a pass-rushing specialist to be Clowney’s opposite. The player that comes to mind would be Robert Quinn. Last season, Quinn compiled an impressive stat line of 11.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 13 tackles for a loss with an impressive QB pressure rate of 16%.
To put the pressure rate into perspective, this would be higher than Aaron Donald, Demarcus Lawrence, Khalil Mack, and Frank Clark last season. Quinn has produced a pressure rate north of 10% in each of the last 3 seasons, so this is not a fluke on his contract year either.
Robert Quinn is approaching his age 30 season. Due to the high level of play and consistency he has shown, there will be plenty of suitors. Seattle will need to be aggressive in this signing. I think a 3-year, $48 million contract will be enough to sway him into signing. This contract will give Quinn some security in having multiple years and an average value of $16 million per year.
The first-year cap hit again should be minimized to ensure the Seahawks can continue building the roster around the duo. The team can structure the contract so the next season will be in the realm of $7 million against the cap. This would leave Seattle with $33 million in cap space after both defensive end signings.