Extend, trade or let walk: Early look at Seahawks potential 2025 free agents

The Seattle Seahawks are in an odd position already next offseason. They are currently over the cap and might have to part with players they don't want to unless the cap goes way up again in 2025, which is a possibility. Many of Seattle's key players - DK Metcalf, Geno Smith, Devon Witherspoon, and many others - are signed through at least next year.

This means that many of the free agents Seattle will have might not be important to bring back, except for one (more on that in a minute). Seattle is both in an envious position next offseason that Metcalf and others are not free agents, but a weak position for adding much talent to the team.

The Seahawks could move on from expensive players to make more money, however. That means players such as Smith, Tyler Lockett, and Dre'Mont Jones could be added to the list below. As things stand currently, here is what Seattle should do with the players who are expected to hit free agency.

What the Seahawks should do with every impending 2025 free agent

Offensive skill positions

Wide receiver Dee Eskridge - Let walk
Tight end Pharaoh Brown - Extend

It should be noted, Laviska Shenault is not listed here because he might be a reach to make the active roster in 2024 and has yet to play a down for the Seahawks. Brown is 30 years old, but he is mostly a blocker now and the kind of tight end Seattle needs to keep around. Top tight end Noah Fant is more of a receiver. Plus, Brown would be an inexpensive veteran.

Eskridge might still be a trade candidate this offseason, but unsure which team might want him. He gets hurt a lot and is not productive as a receiver. He might not make the 2024 squad either, but if he does he should not be around in 2025 as well.

Offensive linemen

Nick Harris - Let walk
Laken Tomlinson - Let walk
Stone Forsythe - Let walk

If anyone checks back on this list next offseason, it might look ugly. Harris could earn the starting center spot and has graded well in both run-blocking and pass-protection over the last couple of years, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The guess is that Olu Oluwatimi is the starting center and Harris is just a season-long backup.

Defensive linemen

Jarran Reed - Let walk
Johnathan Hankins - Let walk

Reed might do something special in 2024 as he showed in 2023 that he can still get a lot of pressure on quarterbacks as he had seven sacks. He is north of 30 years old now so paying him a high dollar amount (anything more than $2 million really) would be too much. Seattle needs to save money where they can.

The same can be said of Hankins. Hopefully, he can help stop the run this season, but he seems more like a one-year rental as well. Depending on how well rookie Byron Murphy II plays, Hankins might not see the field all that much.

Linebackers

Jerome Baker - Extend
Tyrel Dodson - Extend
Darrell Taylor - Trade
Jon Rhattigan - Let walk

This group is a bit more of a crapshoot because Baker and Dodson are brand new. Both are young enough to play for a few more years at least, but both have to show they can be great fits in Mike Macdonald's defense. Dodson will be the green dot so if he fails to communicate well on the field, he will likely be replaced quickly.

Taylor could have the best season of his career if he understands what Macdonald needs and he can improve against the run. He has flashed the ability to get to quarterbacks, but only extremely inconsistently. The trade part goes with this offseason as he has just one year left on his contract. Edge rushers do have some value on the trade market.

Rhattigan might be a solid special teamer. The hope is he isn't forced into much action, however.

Secondary

Julian Love - Extend
K'Von Wallace - Let walk
Mike Jackson - Trade
Tre Brown - Trade
Artie Burns - Let walk

For Jackson and Brown, one might make the 2024 team as a starter and the other could be traded or released. The Seahawks chose D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett in the 2024 NFL draft and unless Burns, Brown, or Jackson aren't on the team, there is little room for every cornerback. This makes the choice of taking two corners quite odd.

Wallace might not get much playing time if Love and Rayshawn Jenkins stay healthy and productive. He got a lot more playing time in 2023 split between the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals - both teams that were desperate for secondary help - but still had a quarterback rating allowed close to 100.

Love made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and could be even better this season under Macdonald. If he has another good season, he is likely the priority re-signing for the Seahawks next offseason. Let's hope all that happens.

More Seahawks news and analysis: