The Seattle Seahawks' season has sadly come to a close (but what a run it was!), and now 12s have to look forward to the offseason. The team will be talented in future seasons, and has a young roster, but Seattle also has several young players who need new contracts.
Thankfully, none of them are wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba or cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Seattle doesn't have to worry about that until 2028, most likely. Both were first-round draft picks and have fifth-year options in 2027. That's the good news.
The bad news is that the Seattle Seahawks have a lot of questions to ask themselves about what to do with the rookie contracts that are expiring. There are several, and many of the players are potential game-changers. Money will need to be spent.
Every free agent for the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 offseason
Unrestricted free agents:
- Running back Kenneth Walker
- Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed
- Wide receiver Dareke Young
- Offensive tackle Josh Jones
- Edge rusher Boye Mafe
- Linebacker Chazz Surratt
- Cornerback Josh Jobe
- Cornerback Riq Woolen
- Cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles
- Safety Coby Bryant
There are six major decisions here. Walker is explosive, but his reps could be diminished by Zach Charbonnet if Charbonnet can return by the start of 2026 after suffering an ACL tear in the playoffs.
The running backs have different styles, but Charbonnet might be somewhat more consistent if less explosive. The team could draft a running back to replace Walker, but that means spending decent draft capital on an RB when Seattle doesn't have a lot of selections (4) in 2026. Plus, Walker is fresh off a Super Bowl MVP and is capable of greatness.
Shaheed needs to be re-signed. He helps in two phases of the game (offense and special teams), and is a game-changer in both. He shouldn't be highly expensive, but whatever it takes, he should come back.
Mafe is a youngish edge rusher who appears to have a ceiling of eight sacks. Can the team replace those in free agency or the draft? If so, Mafe might be playing elsewhere in 2026.
The same goes for all the key defensive backs. Woolen was much better in the second half of the season overall, especially in run defense, though he had a couple of awful moments in the postseason. If a team is willing to pony up $18 million or more for him, Seattle should let him go.
Jobe and Bryant probably won't have the same kind of offer. Bryant didn't want to pursue an extension last offseason aggressively, and that might give general manager John Schneider pause. Jobe is a great fit in Mike Macdonald's scheme and hopefully is a low-budget return.
Restricted free agents:
- Wide receiver Jake Bobo
- Tight end Brady Russell
- Linebacker Drake Thomas
- Safety A.J. Finley
- Safety Ty Okada
- Long snapper Chris Stoll
Three of the above are absolutely needed back. That includes Thomas, Okada, and Stoll. Stoll should be the long-snapper fixture for most of the next decade. He is reliable and consistent, which is everything you want at the position.
Thomas proved to be a disruptor this season when getting starter reps. He isn't extremely athletic and won't test off the charts, but he has a nose for the football and creates turnovers. There is no reason not to keep him around.
The same goes for Okada. He might not be the starter at safety the team craves, but he is a better-than-average backup who is good in starter spots.
The real shame would be letting Bobo leave. He is a fan-favorite, but not overly productive as a receiver, and his reps could be taken by a receiver who will help the team more offensively. He only had two catches for 20 yards in 2025, but was good on special teams.
Exclusive rights free agents:
- Running back George Holani
- Center Jalen Sundell
Both Holani and Sundell are worth picking up their options. Sundell should be re-signed and made the starting center for the foreseeable future. While some analytics services, such as Pro Football Focus (subscription required), might not rate him well, the truth is that he is athletic and works well with his college teammate, and left guard, Grey Zabel.
Holani has an injury history, and that is his biggest issue. Otherwise, he's a good RB3 who can grind out yards in regular season games. He is also a decent pass catcher.