2025 free agency has been less exciting for Seattle Seahawks fans than the week ahead of the free agency period. This is because nothing Seattle can do in free agency can compare to trading quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver DK Metcalf while also releasing receiver Tyler Lockett. At least the team has signed a new QB1.
To be fair, Seattle is rarely aggressive and spends a lot on free agents. The team followed the same pattern in 2025 that they almost always have done. In other words, there is not a lot of priority in signing another team's player versus bringing back some of the Seahawks' own.
Below is everything Seattle has done, as well as who is leaving the team. Again, though, hardly anything is likely to be as impactful as the trades general manager John Schneider pulled prior to the new league year beginning.
Tracking and grading all of the Seattle Seahawks 2025 free agency moves
Seahawks re-sign linebacker Ernest Jones IV
- Contract details: Three years and as much as $28.5 million
Getting Jones back was a must unless Seattle was able to sign a player such as Dre Greenlaw. With Jones, though, Seattle knows how he fits in the defense. There is also no argument that the defense getting better in the second half of 2024 corresponded with the team trading for Jones. Plus, his contract is not ridiculously expensive.
Grade: A
Seahawks re-sign defensive tackle Jarran Reed
- Contract details: Three years and as much as $25 million
On the surface, the deal looks expensive as Reed is into his early 30s. He has been a good pass rusher for Seattle during his career with the team, but he is not the best run-stopper. Still, teams need interior pressure, and Reed is very good at that. Plus, his contract is structured so there is no guaranteed money after 2025. If he begins to break down next season, Seattle could release him and save $4.5 million.
Grade: B
Seahawks lose guard Laken Tomlinson to the Houston Texans
- Contract details: One year and $4.25 million
Most pundits saw the Seahawks' general offensive line play as bad last season, and that is fair. Tomlinson, though, was not awful. He wasn't great, either. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded him as the 44th-best guard in the league last season. The issue is that Seattle does not have a player seemingly ready to take Tomlinson's place, and he is not expensive.
Grade: C
Seahawks lose defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris to the New York Giants
- Contract details: Two years and as much as $10 million
Robertson-Harris is quite good as a run defender, and that is why he will consistently get paid in the $5-7 million range. The Seahawks had to let him go because he was due $6.6 million in 2025, but none of that was guaranteed. Plus, Seattle needs to get younger along the defensive line and should be able to find a run-stopper in the 2025 NFL draft.
Grade: B
Seahawks sign quarterback Sam Darnold
- Contract details: Three years and as much as $100.5 million
The biggest gamble of the offseason for Seattle could affect the next three seasons. Darnold replaces Geno Smith, and Darnold will have less receiving talent to work with. DK Metcalf was traded, and Tyler Lockett was released. The quarterback has had one very good season in his seven-year career, and there is certainly no guarantee he will be good with Seattle.
The advantages of Darnold compared to Smith are that Darnold is seven years younger and less expensive. Seattle likely saves $15 million a season by having Darnold rather than Smith. Still, if Darnold regresses to his pre-2024 level, the team will have to rebuild beginning in 2026.
Seahawks sign offensive lineman Josh Jones
- Contract details: One year and $4.75 million
Jones is a versatile offensive lineman, and that is his strength. Still, he has not shown enough in his five-year career to have a team want to keep him around and make him a long-term starter. He only played 46 offensive snaps in 2024. His signing is disappointing, especially considering the Seahawks have to get offensive line help, and the only move they have made so far is Jones.
Grade: D
Seahawks sign edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence
- Contract details: Three years and as much as $42 million
Initially, when Lawrence was signed, we here at 12th Man Rising had a negative reaction. We were wrong. His sack totals might not be huge anymore, but he is great against the run. His foot injury is a little concerning as he is in his early 30s, but he appears fully healed and should be a great fit in the defense.
Grade: A-
Seahawks sign wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Contract details: One year and $5.5 million
MVS has DK Metcalf height but nowhere near Metcalf-type production. He has speed, but he appears to only be good at go routes. He will need to develop his route-tree better to have an overly positive impact for Seattle.
Grade: C
Cornerback Tre Brown leaves for the San Francisco 49ers
- Contract details: Not yet released
Brown leaving is a good thing because he has failed though he was given multiple attempts to start. In fact, him going to an NFC West rival helps Seattle too.
Grade: A (for Seattle, of course)
Offensive tackle Stone Forsythe leaves for the New York Giants
- Contract details: Not yet released
Forsythe did his best in Seattle, but that was not good enough to make him a long-term starter. He isn't even truly a solid backup either, because if he does have to play, he isn't very good. He will fit perfectly on an underperforming Giants team.
Grade: D (for the Giants)
Edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones leaves for the Tennessee Titans
- Contract details: One year and $10 million
Our friends at FanSided's Titans site, Titan Sized, seem excited about Jones signing with them. The issue is that they do not yet know how disappointing Jones will likely be. He has raw skill but never produces at a high level. $10 million is an overpay.
Grade: A (again, for Seattle)
Seahawks sign wide receiver Cooper Kupp
- Contract details: Three years and as much as $45 million
As this article is being updated, the exact details of Kupp's deal are not yet known. That doesn't really matter, though. Seattle did not overpay for the receiver, and the team needed a quality player to help overcome the loss of Metcalf and Lockett. Kupp does that, and he should be a great fit in Klint Kubiak's offense.
Kupp's absence will also be felt by the Seahawks' NFC West rival, the Los Angeles Rams. It is a win-win for Seattle.
Grade: A
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