If Pete Carroll wants kickoff returns, Seahawks should re-sign this kick returner

The NFL has changed its kickoff rule beginning in 2023, but Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll says he still wants to be aggressive when it comes to returning kickoffs. If Seattle is going to be aggressive then they need the right players to execute that. So far in OTAs, Seattle has tried a few players out to return kicks, but they need to re-sign a player who could resolve the issue.

Near the end of the 2022 season, Seattle needed to add running back depth so they picked up Godwin Igwebuike. Igwebuike didn't get many chances to run the ball - three times against the New York Jets in Week 17 for 4 yards was it - but Seattle did give him the opportunity to return kickoffs. And at that, he excelled.

In Igwebuike's first game for Seattle, he returned his second kick return attempt 50 yards. His third attempt went for 35 yards. The next week, Igwebuike had two 31-yard kickoff returns against the San Francisco 49ers. In Igwebuike's third game, he had a 48-yard kick return versus the Kansas City Chiefs.

Seahawks should bring kick returner Godwin Igwebuike back to Seattle

The signing of Igwebuike would result in two things, of course. One is that Seattle will need to create a roster spot for a player who is really only just a kick returner. Is that going to be worth it to Pete Carroll?

The other result is the Seahawks spending more money. But Igwebuike wouldn't cost very much, maybe only around $1 million. Seattle has $9,456,994 in cap space currently (they have negative adjusted cap space, just like 31 of the 32 teams have negative adjusted cap room right now, but that takes into account all of the players on the current roster and many of those players will be released before Week 1 when Seattle will trim the roster from 89 to 53).

The rule change on kickoffs for the NFL makes kickoffs mirrors the college rule. That is, the ball will be placed at the 25-yard line on kickoffs if a fair catch is called behind the 25-yard line. The NFL is really trying to do away with kickoffs, but this gets complicated because some players are on rosters simply because of their special teams prowess. Do away with kickoffs and many players might lose their jobs.

Still, teams can still return kickoffs. If the Seahawks truly want to remain "aggressive" in doing so, then they need to find a player who can be a weapon returning kicks. Godwin Igwebuike can be that player.