A 10-step plan to get the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 09: Carlos Dunlap #43 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC Wild Card game at Lumen Field on January 09, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Step 1: Extensions to lower 2021 cap hits.

One thing is clear, the Seahawks need more cap space. Whether that be from cutting, restructuring, extending, or trading. There will need to be moves. The first step in creating cap space is to extending several veterans.

Extend Duane Brown: 1 year, $13.5 million.

Total contract value, 2 years, $26.85 million ($13.425 APY).

The extension would allow Seattle to push a small amount of Brown’s contractual cap hit for 2021 off one more year. It would also help ensure that Seattle keeps its best offensive lineman in Seattle for at least two more seasons.

Old 2021 cap hit: $13.35 million.

New 2021 cap hit: $9.35 million.

2022 cap hit: $17.50 million.

Savings from move in 2021: $4 million.

Release and re-sign Carlos Dunlap to a new deal: 2 years, $20 million ($10 APY).

Dunlap easily has the most logical contract that will need to be addressed. No move is off the table whether it be cutting, trading or extending. His $14 million cap hit is simply too rich for the Seahawks to stomach.

Old 2021 cap hit: $14.037 million.

New 2021 cap hit: $7 million.

2022 cap hit: $13 million.

Savings from move in 2021: $7.1 million.

Previous effective cap space: $6.4 million.

Savings from step 1: $11.1 million.

New effective cap space: $17.5 million.

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