The Seattle Seahawks sent a signal to those veteran wide receivers already on the roster when after the team traded DK Metcalf and released Tyler Lockett, Seattle did not simply rely on the receivers the team already had. Instead, general manager John Schneider signed Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency.
This not only reset the wide receiver group, but it kept the veterans already on the roster, except for WR1 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, pushed down on the depth chart. If Seattle didn't fully trust them this offseason, why would they in the future?
This includes fan-favorite Jake Bobo, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has done just enough to imply he should get the ball more. He isn't blazing fast, but he does know how to use his size to catch contested passes. He has caught 76.2 percent of his 42 targets in two years.
Jake Bobo might be entering his final season with the Seattle Seahawks
Still, he hasn't been used in the red zone as his 6'4" height implies he should be. Maybe that is the fault of the offensive coordinators he has played under so far. Maybe new OC Klint Kubiak will use him more correctly.
Bobo has caught three touchdown passes in two seasons, and all of them were contested. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in technique. He is solid, but likely never to be great. Is he worth keeping on the roster beyond 2025 (if even then) is what the Seahawks have to ask themselves.
Next offseason, Bobo will be a restricted free agent. Unless something wonderful happens this coming season and Bobo has a breakout season, he is unlikely to command much salary with any other team. He is a Seahawks phenomenon with fans wanting more Bobo(!).
But as Seattle has shown this offseason, the team isn't quite ready to elevate Bobo to getting tons of meaningful snaps on offense. Besides Kupp and MVS, the Seahawks also drafted Troy Horton this year. Beyond that, Kubiak's scheme is likely to use a lot of two tight end sets, meaning there will be two wide receivers on the field more than in previous seasons.
That also pushes Bobo's potential snap count downward. He might not be able to play enough offensively to prove he needs to stick around.
Of course, the hope is that he does. He has a positive attitude, works hard, and could be the kind of long-term glue player that every team needs. He isn't going to return kicks or punts, however, and another player could take his reps with special teams. And there is no guarantee he makes the 2025 roster.