As expected, the reigning Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks will lose several key pieces. Shortly after parting ways with star safety Coby Bryant, the news broke that Boye Mafe would sign a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mafe, who was projected to get $12.2 million a year, broke the bank with a three-year, $60 million deal to move to Cincinnati. On top of the money, he'll probably get a chance to start, which wasn't the case in Seattle last season.
So, as much as it made sense for the Seahawks to let him walk at such a steep price tag, the champions can't afford to rest on their laurels. If anything, his departure may have exposed how thin the Seahawks' pass rush might be next season.
The Seattle Seahawks need more help in the pass-rushing department
While Mafe only started four games and had 2.0 sacks, four tackles for loss, and four QB hits last season, he actually had the second-highest pass-rushing grade (69.2) among Seahawks' EDGE rushers, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Only Derick Hall (71.8) had a better grade.
DeMarcus Lawrence is reportedly mulling retirement, leaving Mike Morris and Rylie Mills as the next guys in line in the defensive end room. Unchenna Nwosu will remain the starter as the strong-side linebacker, but Mafe's departure leaves Connor O'Toole as his primary backup, with Hall also rotating at the position.
Mafe gave the reigning champions 559 total snaps last season. He registered 21 tackles, 19 run stops, 36 hurries, and 40 total pressures. It's not easy to find backups who can provide that type of production, much less on a team-friendly contract.
According to Over The Cap, the Seahawks have $55 million in available salary cap, so there should be more than enough cash to find a suitable replacement. However, with obvious fits like Odafe Oweh, Leonard Floyd, and Azeez Ojulary all finding new homes early in free agency, they may have to settle for lesser options like the agings Von Miller of Matthew Judon.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde should have the benefit of the doubt and will probably figure out a way to get by. That said, health is a major factor in the most physical sport on Earth, and all players are always one snap away from injury. Even if it's just for depth purposes, they'll have to make a move soon.