Five Seahawks that Seattle must re-sign this offseason
By Lee Vowell
Mike Iupati
I realize that Iupati is injury-prone and misses a few games a season but he is also really good. In 2020, Pro Football Focus has Iupati as the 23rd-highest-graded guard. His fellow guard, rookie Damien Lewis, is number 13. And Lewis’s number is important in connection with Iupati’s.
Offensive lines, more than any other unit, need successful cohesion. If Seattle re-signs Pocic, which they should, and also re-signs Iupati at around the same salary as he currently has ($2.5 million for 2020) then Seattle would bring back the same line in 2021. That is a very good thing.
For years since Russell Wilson became the quarterback in 2012, the Seahawks had a bad offensive line. Last year was better and this year they are pretty good. Left tackle Duane Brown is aging but still one of the best tackles in the NFL. When Iupati is healthy, he and Brown form a powerful left side.
If Iupati wants to keep playing after this year and hits free agency and some team offers him $5 million a year, then Seattle needs to let him walk. But if Seattle can get Iupati back for $3 million next year, that is a win.