What a Quandre Diggs extension could look like for the Seahawks
By Geoff Shull
Why would the Seahawks extend Quandre Diggs?
It’s fair to say that the ink has already dried and the Seahawks made their bed. They simply cannot afford two high-priced safeties with so many other holes on the roster.
However, I would argue there may not be a more important free agent to keep than Quandre Diggs. He is a phenomenal player on the field. His Pro Bowls and hard stats back up this notion in a major way.
However, the impact he has on the players around him, the love and respect those nearest to him show for him, and how he leads would say other otherwise. Shoot, just look at what players and coaches said after his season-ending injury in the last game of the year:
What Pete Carroll said after Diggs injury:
"He is such an embedded leader, the character, the toughness, all of the stuff that he stands for, and guys just love this guy. So it crushed everybody, and it wasn’t ignored in the fact of the way they finished. They finished for him."
What Jordyn Brooks said:
"Anybody who knows Quandre knows he’s a hell of a competitor. The guy cares so much. If it’s anybody that’s held me accountable this year, it’s been Quandre. He’s been like a second coach on the field for me."
What Russell Wilson said:
"I know he’s played at such a high level all year. He’s been the MVP of our season, just how he’s played. I don’t think anybody has played any better across the league at that position. I know he’s a guy that deserves to get paid the right way. He’s a guy that deserves to get all the accolades."
If there is a player who is the heart and soul of the defense, it is Quandre Diggs. He is the player who pushes those around to be better. He calls out players who aren’t giving it their all. He helps coach up players who want to be better.
So, you could say, why pay a second safety? The answer is simple. The Seahawks made the wrong move with Jamal Adams. They doubled down and extended him. Are the Seahawks really going to put the nail further in the coffin on this disastrous trade and let go of the true leader of their defense?
A smart decision would be to leave all other player contracts out of the question. There is not one other player on the defense who has been more important to the team than Diggs. It is as simple as that.