Tyler Lockett has been unsurprisingly released by the Seattle Seahawks. The move saves the team $17 million, and the team has cleared about $43 million ahead of the 2025 free agency in the last two days. There is little chance that Lockett will return to Seattle.
The issue is not that the team and the player do not get along. Clearly, they do. The problem is that Seattle needs to get younger than Lockett's soon-to-be 33 years old at the position. Taking a receiver somewhat early in the 2025 NFL draft would be a wise move. One thing Seattle should not do is sign a free agent wide receiver.
If that happens, they should have simply kept Lockett, though on a restructured contract. There is a chance that Lockett simply did not want to take a pay cut for the second straight offseason. He did that last year when he chose to give up about $5 million. Lockett has made enough money in his career to willingly give up any more.
Seattle Seahawks release wide receiver Tyler Lockett ahead of 2025 free agency
Still, the move is sad for all parties. The receiver has been the team's second-most productive in Seahawks history. He has also been a great person. The team not only loses a good player, but he was also attached to the team as the organization's official realtor. Maybe he remains that, or maybe Lockett breaks most ties with Seattle.
Lockett was drafted in 2015 to be more of a punt returner and kick returner. He was immediately brilliant at both. The first time he touched the ball as a punt returner, he returned the kick for a touchdown. But he turned out to be so much more important than just a returner.
I really enjoyed being in Seattle! I met so many great people and captured so many great memories! The 12’s really make this place meaningful! Although, my time on the Seahawks may have run its course I’m thankful for everything!!God gets all the glory forever!!!! pic.twitter.com/cywZBDhOVR
— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) March 5, 2025
He was able to use his quickness and route-running ability to become a fantastic receiver. He never made the Pro Bowl after his rookie season, but he should have. Between 2019 and 2022, Lockett had at least 1,054 yards receiving each year. He also set a team record by having 100 receptions for a season in 2020. (Jaxon Smith-Njigba tied that this past season.)
Overall, Lockett ranks second in Seahawks history in receiving yards (8,594), touchdown passes (61), and receptions (661). Still, his work off the field with his own foundation and the work he did in the Seattle community have an even more meaningful impact. He might have been a diminished player over the last two years, but he will never be a diminished human being.
After releasing four players yesterday, including Dre'Mont Jones, the Seahawks decided to announce the Lockett move as a one-off. This makes sense, as he was a very important player, and more important than the other four. His agent might have only met with the Seahawks on Wednesday, but Seattle had to plan on this move coming eventually and planned for it.
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