3 edge rushers Seahawks could have signed instead of Aldon Smith

Vic Beasley

Seattle went for a cast-off in Smith. Yes, they signed him to an ultra-inexpensive contract due to his history of off-the-field issues but it was going to be a waste of money as it turns out. Beasley might also be a cast-off but one who has a lot fewer off-field issues and more recent on-field ones.

But it’s also important to remember that Beasley will only be 29 years old this season. He had zero sacks and zero quarterback hits in 2020. This was extremely odd as he had at least 5 sacks a season for the Falcons between 2016 and 2019. Beasley had 15.5 sacks in 2016 but he was never really that player. Still, he had 8 sacks in 2019.

Smith is a lot more capable of playing the run than Beasley ever would be. Beasley, if anything, is a pure pass rusher. But why would the Seahawks need Smith to be good against the run anyway? Surely they signed him for his ability to sack quarterbacks than play the run. Seattle has too many other players who can play inside and out than needing Smith to do that.

Therefore, my assumption is that John Schneider saw a cheap signing of Smith to be a boon to the pass rush. This is what Beasley would bring as well. Maybe he isn’t the 15.5 sack guy but he also isn’t the 0 sack guy. Bringing him in on a one-year deal would only motivate him and that would be good for the Seahawks in 2021.