Seahawks kicking the tires on Randy Gregory smacks of desperation

The Seattle Seahawks need some pass-rush help. Derick Hall and Boye Mafe have been solid performers, though somewhat inconsistent. Uchenna Nwosu has missed nearly the entire year. Otherwise, a potentially improved pass rush under new head coach Mike Macdonald has not blossomed.

According to multiple reports, Seattle had a visit with veteran Randy Gregory this week. The problem is that Gregory has always been more about potential than actual production. Even worse, he has been an off-the-field issue with multiple suspensions. This season, he refused to show up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so Tampa Bay released him before the season. He is now a free agent.

The Seahawks have a history under general manager John Schneider of taking chances on players that might not have worked out elsewhere, but the hope is that their careers would turn around in Seattle. Gregory would be the most extreme case of this. He simply isn't worth the risk, though.

Seahawks should pass on thinking of signing edge rusher Randy Gregory

This isn't exactly at the level of the Hawks inviting someone like Aaron Hernandez for a visit. Gregory's four suspensions have all been for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He's filed suit against the NFL and the Broncos over the fines he was assessed while with Denver. I'm not suggesting the lawsuit is a reason to shy away from him. It's worth noting that there are always two sides to a story, with Gregory claiming the "abuse" was medically necessary.

That doesn't change the fact that dozens, if not hundreds, of NFL players must deal with pain management, anxiety disorders, and other issues that Gregory faces. Not too many of them have been suspended four times for violating the policy.

Gregory has never played a full schedule in the NFL. Between injuries and suspensions, he's appeared in just 72 games of a possible 115 games. He missed significant time with injuries with both the Cowboys and Broncos. As we've often said, the most important ability is availability. That isn't Gregory's strong suit.

His best year came four years ago with Dallas. In 12 games, he piled up six sacks, 29 pressures, and four tackles for a loss. Granted, that's production the Seahawks could use. But that was in 2021. In 16 games last year, he had 3.5 sacks and 13 pressures. That's not the trend you'd like to see, no matter how desperate you are.

That's the issue for the Seahawks. Hall and Mafe are solid but are the only contributors on the edge. Dre'Mont Jones can get to the quarterback but has been wildly inconsistent. No matter how desperate the Hawks are, there have to be better options than Randy Gregory.

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