Most 12s know that, currently, the Seattle Seahawks are in a bad way with the salary cap in 2025. The team is over the projected cap currently, which means that Seattle will have to restructure the contracts of expensive players, or simply release them outright. Tough decisions will be forced to be made.
In raw numbers, 2026 looks a lot better. Some pundits have even produced articles with somewhat misleading headlines, such as "Seahawks are flush with 2026 cap space." The headline is true, but it is also not true.
The reason Seattle has so much cap space (as, admittedly, the article above does flesh out, but the headline of same does not) is that many key Seahawks players will have their current contracts end in 2025. This includes a number of rookies that are likely key to the future success of the team. In other words, they have been playing relatively cheaply so far, but their price is about to go up.
Seattle Seahawks likely don't have as much cap room in 2026 as first appears
The Seahawks currently have the fourth-most cap space in 2026, according to Over the Cap. The team will be in a better financial position than it is this offseason no matter what, but the amount of cash available next offseason should not imply Seattle can spend freely and bring in high-priced (and quality) free agents.
Quarterback Geno Smith could be among the least of the worries next offseason. He wants an extension, and possibly the Seahawks give him that this offseason. That would lower his cap hit in 2025, and keep him with the team for at least a couple of more seasons. Seattle might still have to find its long-term quarterback sooner than later, though.
A number of other players are of greater concern because they are young enough and productive enough to help Seattle win games for many more years. The list is vast and includes edge rusher Boye Mafe, running back Kenneth Walker III, right tackle Abe Lucas, safety Coby Bryant, and cornerback Riq Woolen.
Walker might be great in 2025, but running backs are not usually overpaid. Edge rushers are, so if Mafe has a highly productive season, which he is extremely capable of, he is going to have a new deal worth more than $10 million a year. Lucas could stay healthy, and if he is, he will likely be good and earn a deal of $10 million a season or more. If Woolen is great next season, he will be expensive.
This is all to say that Seattle's current cap room in 2026 is going to go fast if all the players whose rookie deals will be ending are as good as hoped. Let's hope they are because that likely means the Seahawks are going to win a lot of games.
One player we do not have to worry about, most likely, is left tackle Charles Cross. The team has an option for him in 2026. In 2027, though, he could become extremely expensive to re-sign.