The Seattle Seahawks are gifted with many things: speed and versatility at wide receiver, the regeneration of a busted quarterback, the aura and mystique of a defense that resembles past legends, and a complete roster if there ever was one, among other things.
There is one more gift that has made the Seahawks who they are today: youth. If the Seahawks have anything in abundance, it's a roster filled with young players who are just two, three, or four years into their careers, and many of them showed up big time last season.Â
Unfortunately, Seahawks fans have already witnessed some of these young players leave in free agency because, at the end of the day, it is a business, and teams can't retain everyone. With Boye Mafe, Kenneth Walker III, and Coby Bryant representing three examples of players to leave after their rookie deals, the question has to be posed: Who could be next?
The Seattle Seahawks are in danger of losing Derick Hall next season
Despite their abundance of youth, the Seahawks rank as the NFL's 17th-youngest team, with an average age of 26.08. But it's the players in question who draw such a spotlight on their youth due to the early impact they've had. It's uncommon in the NFL to have so many young players all make such significant impacts simultaneously and contribute to winning football.
The Seahawks benefited from this very factor last season and should continue to do so next season. Much of Seattle's youth is on defense with the likes of Nick Emmanwori (21), Devon Witherspoon (25), Byron Murphy II (23), Drake Thomas (25), and Derick Hall (24), among others, leading the way.Â
You can't look at last season's success winning the Super Bowl and deny that every player above had a significant impact at their position. So did Mafe (27) and Bryant (26), who left in free agency. Last season was the final of their rookie deals, and the Seahawks lost them in free agency.Â
One player who will be entering a similar situation next offseason in 2027 is Hall, who will be in his fourth season and has made a name for himself in Seattle thanks to his play on the field. Hall broke out in his second season in 2024, with eight sacks and 20 quarterback hits. He also started 14 games that season.Â
While he took a small step back last year, going from eight to two sacks, Hall was still visible, and his presence was felt every time he took the field. What Hall does in the upcoming season is a wait-and-see situation, but you can bet that Hall will put up better stats compared to last season.Â
That said, Hall and the Seahawks will face a decision next summer, unless they move forward with an extension this summer. Will the Seahawks sit comfortably knowing they could lose Hall like they did Mafe and Bryant? Will they want to take another hit to their youth in future free agencies?Â
Hall, who has backed up Uchenna Nwosu the last couple of years, has the potential to be a starter in the NFL. Furthermore, he has the potential to be a starter in Seattle. That said, if the Seahawks aren't able to come to a solution with Hall before it's too late, he will have plenty of suitors down the road.Â
Nwsou will be 30 by this time next year, while Hall will be 26. The Seahawks could always move on from the veteran in favor of youth. Regardless, Hall might be on his way to being labeled a star in this league, and players like that demand higher salaries.Â
If the Seahawks value what Hall already is and how much more he can be, not locking him down now could be a mistake with some significant regret attached. The danger of watching another Seahawks-drafted player leave so soon might become another painful reality.
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