12th Man Rising
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How much Seahawks can save by restructuring/extending key players

By Geoff Shull

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks leads his team onto the field to start the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on January 09, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks leads his team onto the field to start the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on January 09, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 08: Duane Brown #76 of the Seattle Seahawks congratulates Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks on his touchdown during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 08: Duane Brown #76 of the Seattle Seahawks congratulates Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks on his touchdown during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Duane Brown is easily the Seahawks best offensive lineman. However, he is also the oldest.

I have heard many fans state the Seahawks should simply release Duane Brown. They say he is always injured, old, and too expensive. Clearly, the fans are not paying close enough attention.

Brown is still one of the best left tackles in the game. Seattle gives him practices off because he already knows what he needs to do and Seattle would rather keep his health for when the game matters.

Brown has missed only 4 of 48 possible games since joining the Seahawks. His time management has clearly worked.

Player: Duane Brown

Age: 36

Year:    Base salary:    Signing Bonus:      Roster Bonus:    Cap hit:   Dead Money:

2021       $10m                        $2m                $1.35m            $13.35m          $2m

How much can be saved through 6 different methods of cap savings:

Cut (pre-June 1st): $11.35m

Cut (post-June 1st):    $11.35m

Trade (pre-June 1st):  $11.35m

Trade (post-June 1st): $11.35m

Restructure: $0m

Extension: $7.42m

Duane Brown will save the Seahawks the same amount of money regardless of how they moved on from him, $11.35 million. An extension for Brown can save the team upwards of $7.42 million.

A couple of thoughts here. Left tackles do not grow on trees. Left tackles also are not cheap. When you look at the market, left tackles are starting to be priced the same as premium pass rushers. A top 6 left tackle for just $13.35 million is not bad.

Over the 3 seasons with Seattle Brown has allowed just 7 sacks and 6 penalties across 2908 snaps. Consider Germain Ifedi once had one season with 19 penalties and 4 sacks, this is nothing. In fact, it’s amongst the best in the league.

I think Seattle would be wise to extend Brown one season. This should be able to lower his cap hit at least somewhat. This also keeps the continuity on the line. I would then draft a developmental left tackle in this draft class to learn behind him. Someone like D’Ante Smith or James Hudson.

Besides, Russell Wilson is already pissed off about his lack of an offensive line. Do you really want to get rid of the best lineman Seattle has? That would be a recipe for disaster.

Verdict: Extend Brown and draft his successor

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