By releasing Tyler Lockett, the Seattle Seahawks have shown once again that change is inevitable in the NFL. We all knew it. I mean, they released Bobby Wagner twice, so clearly, no one is locked in for Seattle. This player is now more likely than ever to be on the chopping block this offseason.
With the news that DK Metcalf has asked for a trade, it seems pretty clear that any receiver currently on the roster has a bit more value to the team than he did on Monday. Obviously, Jake Bobo isn't going anywhere; he's in the final year of his rookie deal and has a cap hit that's barely over $1 million, anyway. If the Hawks trade DK, Jake is the number two wideout in Seattle. More Bobo, indeed.
I ran a mock draft on Sunday, but with the release of Lockett and the possible trade of Metcalf, it's not even worth linking to it. You can dig up its parched bones if you like. I'll post another next Monday after the carnage of this week sorts itself out. For now, let's look at the next player likely to receive a handsome parting gift package from John Schneider.
Seahawks should let Noah Fant walk after releasing Tyler Lockett
It seems counterintuitive to move on from 2024's fourth-leading receiver, I know. But Fant never became the major player the Hawks expected when they got him in the Russell Wilson trade. They saw enough to re-sign him before last season, but it never really happened for Fant in Seattle.
Granted, that's not exactly all on him. He didn't get to call his own number, and both offensive coordinators he had in his three seasons have been let go. But rookie A.J. Barner caught a higher percentage of passes and a higher percentage of first downs. He hauled in four touchdowns to Fant's one, too. For what he provides and how he's utilized by the Seahawks, Fant simply isn't worth keeping on the roster. Not when you factor in his contract.
At $13.5 million, Fant has the fifth-highest cap hit on the team. And at $4.5 million, his dead cap hit wouldn't be nearly as onerous as what the Seahawks have already added this season. Between the release of Dre'Mont Jones and Lockett, Seattle has to eat nearly $28 million in dead money this year. But considering that the Broncos had to swallow $85 million over two seasons to shed Russell Wilson, the Hawks got off easy.
You can say that Noah Fant deserved more opportunities with the Seahawks, sure. But I'd point out that he didn't make the most of the chances he had. He's not a bad player by any means. And yes, the Hawks need players who can catch the ball, especially if DK is traded. Hopefully, they're asking for more than what anyone is willing to offer. Either way, Fant should be on the next flight out of Seattle.