Seahawks should not trade Tyler Lockett

In the recent weeks following the Russell Wilson trade, rumors have swirled around the Seahawks’ big names at the wide receiver position:  Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.

The talk recently has surrounded Metcalf, as a potential big extension in Seattle looms for him with the front office seeming wary about handing out money to match the hot wide receiver market.  Lockett’s name came up in rumors, though, immediately after Wilson was moved, since he is older and less likely to be part of a rebuilding franchise.

There are several reasons why I think it would be a bad move to trade Lockett away before the 2022 season.

The reasons Seahawks should not trade Tyler Lockett

First, let’s discuss what Lockett brings to the field.  I see him as a great outlet man for Drew Lock.  Sure, Lock doesn’t have the same potential to extend plays that Russell Wilson has, but if the ball is thrown in Lockett’s vicinity, he’s going to pull it down.

I think it’s important that if the coaching staff feels confident in Drew Lock’s ability to start that he has a surefire receiver like Tyler Lockett.  As much as we all love Metcalf, his hands aren’t as sure as Lockett’s.  Tyler’s ability to get open would be a big help to whomever the quarterback is for the 2022 season.

Now, financials.  Trading Tyler Lockett before June 1 results in a dead cap charge of $15.2 million for the Seahawks, just over $5 million more than it costs to keep him on the roster this season.  In other words, it costs $5 million more to not have Lockett on the team than it does to keep him around.

This gets a bit easier after June 1, when trading Lockett results in only $3.8 million in dead money, saving the Seahawks $6.25 million for 2022.  This move would also leave the Seahawks with $11.4 million in dead cap for Lockett’s contract in 2023, but if the Seahawks are entering a rebuild and the cap explodes upwards in the way it should, that money is very unimportant.

Finally, leadership.  Lockett is the longest tenured Seahawk, after the team moved on from Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson.  His stepping up to lead the offense this coming season will be important, when younger players are beginning to make up more of the team.  Similarly to Rashaad Penny looking up to Adrian Peterson last season, Lockett can be a leader for guys like Metcalf, Dee Eskridge and Noah Fant.

One can definitely come up with a scenario in which it benefits this team to trade Tyler Lockett away, but as the roster currently sits, I don’t want to move on from him.  The on-field ability and leadership means too much to me for the 2022 season.  If the team wants to move on from him next offseason, when they will likely be paying Metcalf $25 million/year, then that’s fine.  But for this all-too-important transition year, I need Lockett to be playing here in Seattle.