Seahawks desperately need to bring back this cornerback next offseason

The Seattle Seahawks appeared to be so set at cornerback this season. They had Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon and simply needed a third to help create one of the best cornerback groups in the NFL. Seattle traded Mike Jackson before the season which meant veteran Tre Brown would be that third CB.

The issue is that while Woolen has been quite good and Witherspoon solid, though not as good as hoped, Brown has been terrible. Plus, once Brown was injured in Week 6, Seattle's lack of real depth at the position came to the forefront. Artie Burns did decently, but he has not proven to ever be a long-term option in terms of getting many reps. Rookie Nehemiah Pritchett struggled tackling.

Unless Seattle drafts a cornerback relatively high in the 2025 draft, the team might be looking at Pritchett being a full-time starter next season. Brown is a free agent after this season and has not proven worthy of being re-signed next offseason. He has allowed 11 completions on 17 targets in 2024 for 169 yards and two touchdowns. His quarterback rating allowed is an atrocious 136.5.

Seahawks should think about bringing cornerback DJ Reed back to Seattle next offseason

Seattle might be able to make an instant upgrade for the cornerback room next offseason by trying to entice former Seahawks cornerback DJ Reed back to Seattle. He has spent the last three seasons with the New York Jets, and he has been excellent after being a full-time starter for Seattle in 2021. This season, Reed has allowed just six completions on 18 targets for only 42 yards.

Reed isn't going to be cheap. He has made an average of $11 million a season for the last three seasons and he will only be 28 years old next offseason. He should expect to be paid at least $10 million with his new deal.

Seattle is relatively tight against the cap next offseason as the team has around $8 million to spend. They should be able to roll over whatever they have left this season into next. If they sign DK Metcalf or Geno Smith to an extension next offseason then that would create even more space. Seattle could afford Reed, but just barely.

That likely makes bringing Reed back to Seattle impractical, but he would be worth it. A cornerback trio of Reed, Woolen, and Witherspoon might arguably be the best in the league. As all 12s know, anything to help improve the dismal defense would be a step in the right direction.

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