Seahawks should trade for star DT Cameron Heyward
By Geoff Shull
The Seahawks will need to offer something of significance to make this deal worthwhile for a Steelers team who is still competing.
Cameron Heyward is a slightly younger version of Calais Campbell. I wish the Seahawks could flip a 5th round pick for Heyward, just like the Ravens did for Campbell. However, this is highly unlikely as it is a completely different set of circumstances surrounding this potential deal.
The Jaguars were gutting their roster and had zero leverage in the negotiations. Whereas the Seahawks would have to try and pry a star player out of a team who is still in contention. This all adds up for an expensive addition. Not only will this be expensive in terms of trade value exchanged, but it would also likely require an extension, as Heyward is in the final year of his contract.
My proposed trade:
My Proposed Extension:
Terms: 2 years, $30 million
Avg Salary: $15 million
Gtd Money: $20 million
It is important to remember that this would be in addition to the one year on his current contract. Post-trade, the value of the inherited contract would be 1-year at $9.5 million.
Total contract value for Cameron Heyward with the Seahawks:
Terms: 3 years, $39.5 million
Avg Salary: $13.16 million
Gtd Salary: $20 million
Cap hits by year:
- 2020: $9.5 million
- 2021: $14 million
- 2022: $16 million
This trade would give Seattle a guaranteed star-caliber player on the defensive line. This would create a starting defensive line of Rasheem Green, Jarran Reed, Cameron Heyward, and Darrell Taylor. With reserves of Alton Robinson, Benson Meyowa, Bruce Irvin, LJ Collier and Poona Ford, the Seahawks would have a very nice mix of veterans and rookies. I would feel far more optimistic with Heyward in this group, then without.
Trading Cody Barton would hurt. However, with Bobby Wagner under contract for 3 more seasons and Seattle spending a first round pick on a linebacker. This would likely be the best option for both Seattle and Barton. Seattle can focus on grooming Jordyn Brooks and Ben Burr Kirven while giving Barton a solid chance at starting for another team.
Meanwhile, the Steelers would gain significant trade value from the two picks. They would also gain an outside linebacker in Cody Barton who possesses immense potential. He has starting experience and is known to be a true student of the game.
dark. Next. Where Seahawks stand with "true" cap space
Bobby Wagner has been very impressed with Barton’s ability to read offenses and react. This loss would hurt Seattle, but this would be the only way I could see the deal coming to fruition. Pittsburgh would need to fill one of their biggest remaining holes, which as I see it, is the linebacker.