Tyler Lockett trade rumors are ridiculous now and this is why

Tyler Lockett doesn't want to hear the talk of him being traded anymore. The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver is one of the nicest people in the NFL, and he rarely is direct in criticizing anyone else or even the implication of doing so. But this week Lockett implied that too many people might be writing articles about the possibility of him being traded. Lockett wants to put an end to those kinds of articles.

Lockett was one of four members of the team to meet with the press after voluntary workouts this week. Seattle got a jump start with workouts due to having a new head coach. Teams that replaced their head coaches can get started with meetings earlier because those teams simply have more changes to implement. But one change that won't be happening is Lockett leaving to play for another franchise.

As tweeted by Seahawks reporter Michael-Shawn Dugar of the Athletic, Lockett ended his part of the press conference by stating that he no longer wants to see any articles suggesting he be traded. Of course, Lockett has every right to speak his mind about any articles mentioning a possible trade of Lockett. The posts would be about him, and the receiver also clearly doesn't want 12s thinking he wants to leave.

Seattle Seahawks have no reason to trade Tyler Lockett currently

To be fair, we at 12th Man Rising have written articles about Lockett potentially being traded as such as move would save cap space and open up more potential targets for second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. However, the articles that we did write where we thought the idea might be a solid one - even though we do not want Lockett to play elsewhere - all came before Lockett and Seattle reworked his current deal. The contract being restructured is the reason any speculation of Lockett being traded should end.

Prior to the restructure, Seattle was going to owe Lockett $34 million over two seasons but afterward, Seattle owes $30 million over two seasons plus potential incentives. But there is more to the deal than that. Lockett only has $4.66 million guaranteed in 2024 and zero dollars in 2024. The hitch is that should Seattle trade Lockett (or release him, which would be just as illogical), the team would see a cap savings loss of nearly $9 million prior to June 1.

Should Lockett be traded after June 1, the team would have an extra $5 million in cap room, but what team works with a player on revamping their deal, the player ultimately accepts less to stay with the team, only to see the team trade the player away? The NFL is a business, of course, but trading Lockett would be bad for business.

Chances are that Lockett's final season with the Seahawks (and maybe in the league, should he choose to retire) is 2024 because from a purely financial standpoint, releasing Lockett makes a lot of sense. The team would save $17 million next offseason by moving on from Lockett. Most 12s do not want that to happen, most likely, but there is a good chance Lockett will not be with the team in 2025 but he almost surely will be in 2024.

More Seattle Seahawks news and analysis