It is never too early to think about the off-season. This is especially true for a Seattle Seahawks team that finds themselves out of the playoffs.
The Seattle Seahawks will have some big choices this upcoming off-season. Do they go through another soft reset? Or do they blow it up for a full-on rebuild?
The answer to this question will dictate entirely how the offseason goes. With the report of Jody Allen not looking at this year as a one-year blunder, I am going to take a stab in the dark and say some key changes are coming.
My best guess for the offseason will be at least one big-name will be replaced. Specifically, I think Pete Carroll will be forced to retire, fired, or moved into a different role.
Reports have circled for years that Russell Wilson is tired of playing Pete ball. With this draft and free agent class being devoid of any sure-fire replacements at quarterback, the smart move would be to build around Wilson and replace Carroll.
4 free agents Seattle Seahawks should aggressively chase
This would enable John Schneider to have full autonomy over the draft, its personnel, and key decisions. I honestly believe that this would be enough of a change to reinvigorate the team. It’s ok to be thankful for the past accomplishments, build a statue, or whatever needs to be done.
However, this is a business and all decisions need to be focused on the now/future, not the past.
After this change happens, the team needs to retool using their salary cap space with some of the truly great talents that will become available. The team currently has the 8th most cap space going into the off-season.
A couple of hard cuts such as Bobby Wagner ($16.6 million saved), Jason Meyers ($4 million saved), and Chris Carson ($3.43 million saved) would catapult the Seahawks to having the second-most cap space in the NFL.
More than enough to complete a soft-retooling if the resources are spent wisely. Something I can’t trust the current regime to do. With Pete Carroll over the GM in decision-making, I need to see what John Schneider would do with these funds. The smart move would be to target at least one of the players on the following pages.
Let’s be honest, if the choice is a hard reset or this, the worst that could happen is pushing the hard reset out two more years while we, the fans, get a couple more years of entertaining football.
In the best-case scenario, Wilson’s vision helps build a Super Bowl-caliber team by resetting where the money is placed.
Free agent target number 1: Terron Armstead, LT
Duane Brown is having a slightly down year. At age 37, his career is closer to the end than the beginning. The first place Seattle should make is to reinvest their savings from cutting Bobby Wagner, Chris Carson, and Jason Meyers into the lines.
Terron Armstead (age 30) is widely respected as one of the best left tackles in the NFL. He plays with a beautiful balance of agility and brute strength. His hand strength is elite, his mobility is superb. He is a true top 5 left tackle. It’s not often a player of this caliber comes available.
The Seahawks need to stop bargain shopping. It’s time to spend big on a true star (or two) on the lines who can bring the Seahawks back to the top. Paying Terron Armstead, who is thoroughly in his prime (age 30), big money as the blindside blocker would go a long way.
Suggested contract:
Terms: 4 years, $84 million
Average salary: $21 million
Cap hits by year:
- 2022: $11 million
- 2023: $19 million
- 2024: $25 million
- 2025: $29 million
The cap hits are pushed down the line with the expectation the salary cap will continue to jump by $10-$15 per year as gambling rights and TV rights money continues to pour in.
History has shown left tackles can play well into their 30’s (again, look at Duane Brown who is still a good left tackle at age 37) and play with the same productivity as they did in their 20s. The same cannot be said for linebackers. Moving The savings to Armstead would be a huge move to bolster the offensive line.
Free agent target number 2: Chandler Jones, DE
The Seahawks defensive line was nearly last in sacks, pressure rate, tackles for a loss, and QB hits this season. The Seahawks need a true star on the defensive line. They have some promising pieces in Poona Ford, Darrell Taylor, and Alton Robinson. However, they need more sure-fire play.
Sometimes inserting a superstar unlocks the potential of pre-existing players. Look at the impact Adrian Peterson has had on Rashaad Penny. Who would have guessed Penny can move between the tackles the way he has since Peterson joined the squad. Not very many, that’s whom.
Chandler Jones at 31-years-old is still amongst the most disruptive and successful defensive ends in the NFL. Over the last 5 full seasons played, Jones has amassed 80 tackles for a loss, 70 sacks, 21 forced fumbles, and 19 passes defended. He is a menace.
Jones is a player who will absorb a lot of the offensive planning which opens opportunities for players like Taylor, Ford, and Robinson to swoop in and make a play. Jones is still elite enough to make the play all by his lonesome as well.
Suggested contract:
Terms: 3 years, $51 million
Average salary: $17 million
Cap hits by year:
- 2022: $11 million
- 2023: $16 million
- 2024: $24 million
Adding two talents at the level of Terron Armstead (LT) and Chandler Jones (DE) would be exactly the type of move that makes for a quick turnaround. These are the types of moves that make for quick and efficient retool. Build around the lines of scrimmage. Protect Wilson and get someone to attack the opposing quarterback.
After these two moves with the suggested cap structure, the Seahawks would still have nearly $51 million in cap space for 2022. In other words, adding Armstead AND Jones would cost the same in 2022 as Seattle would save from releasing Wagner, Carson, and Myers.
Free agent target number 3: J.C. Jackson, CB
If the Seahawks want to continue to invest in their secondary, you cannot go wrong with J.C. Jackson (age 25).
Jackson is a truly elite cornerback. He is on the same page as Jalen Ramsey in terms of production. Over the last two years, he has amassed 17 interceptions, 36 passes defended, and 94 tackles. Jackson has allowed a QB rating of just 41.9 when targeted and a 49% completion rate.
He is by far the best defensive back on the market and will very likely be paid as such. Targeting Jackson would be a sign that they will build the defense from the back forward. Let the defensive backs make the plays. Lord knows, If Jackson is given the opportunity, he will make a play.
Suggested contract:
Terms: 5 years, $105 million
Average salary: $21 million
Cap hits by year:
- 2022: $9.5 million
- 2023: $18 million
- 2024: $24 million
- 2025: $29 million
- 2026: $24.5 million
This contract would top Jalen Ramsey’s historic reset of the cornerback market contract. However, it is well deserved and money well spent. There aren’t many players in the NFL who create turnovers at the rate Jackson does. He is also elite in coverage.
Shoot, if Seattle somehow signed all three players, they would still have nearly $45 million in cap space to spend to fill the rest of their roster.
Free agent target number 4: Marcus Maye, FS
Marcus Maye (age 28) is another swiss army knife type player that does a little of everything. He has played at free safety, strong safety, slot corner, and some at linebacker. He ranks amongst the best at breaking up passes when targeted. He is also a very good run defender.
This would be a move to reunite Adams and Maye in Seattle. Both of these players were at their best when they played together. This move would be to maximize Adams’s skillset. Add a familiar face who is also a baller to help Adams get back to the elite status he possessed with the Jets.
Suggested contract:
Terms: 3 years, 39 million
Average salary: $13 million
Cap hits by year:
- 2022: $6 million
- 2023: $11 million
- 2024: $22 million
This is a buy low on a great player. Maye was heading toward a contract north of $16 million per year before an injury hit him early in the year. This is a move that has major upside in the secondary. However, there is some risk due to the likelihood he won’t be 100% by the time the season starts.
If Seattle brought in all 4 players, they would still have $39 million to fill the rest of the roster. This is the type of reset that is needed if the team is going to reinvigorate themselves. Get an offensive-minded head coach.
Move the resources to the trenches and secondary. The offense has the weapons to be successful. They just need better protection up front. The defense needs consistent play-makers. Players that force 3-and-outs or turnovers. All 4 of these players do just that.