Seahawks linked to impact edge rusher in free agency by NFL Spin Zone

The Dallas Cowboys are hurting for cap space this offseason and the Seattle Seahawks could scoop up one of their key defensive players. Seattle, of course, traded Russell Wilson and released Bobby Wagner last week and now has the fourth-most cap space in the NFL with $45,819,954. Dallas is 24th with just $3.1 million.

This is one reason NFL Spin Zone has projected Seattle to sign Dallas’ free agent edge rusher Randy Gregory. The issue with Gregory has never been about his talent and bringing him to Seattle and grouping him with Carlos Dunlap and Darrell Taylor should give the Seahawks a better pass rush in 2022.

This is especially true as Seattle’s defense will have different leadership after Ken Norton, Jr. was fired this offseason and replaced with Clint Hurtt and Sean Desai. 12s should see fewer edge rushers dropping into coverage and more of them doing what they do best: Chasing down opposing quarterbacks.

Seahawks predicted to add Randy Gregory to help improve pass rush in 2022

Gregory, however, does come with some big risks. He has been injured fairly often but suspended even more. He was suspended for failed drug tests for all but two games between 2016 and 2017. Gregory was then suspended for a failed drug test for all of 2019 and the first six games of 2020.

Still, Gregory is just 29 years old and because he has missed so much time hasn’t had tons of wear and tear on his body. In 2021, he played in 12 games and had 17 quarterback hits (which would have led the Seahawks) and 6 sacks. He also had 4 tackles for loss.

Adding Gregory’s talent to help better the defense would be great if it works out, though, because after trading Wilson the Seahawks are going to need a much better and more aggressive defense to win anywhere close to half their games in 2022. But Seattle shouldn’t overpay for Gregory, either, because Seattle isn’t likely to be going to the Super Bowl next year and needs to plan for the future beyond 2022.