Seahawks place second-round tender on WR Doug Baldwin

The Seahawks have tendered receiver Doug Baldwin, a restricted free agent, at the second-round level, according to multiple reports, and Baldwin himself. That means if Baldwin signs the tender and doesn’t later agree to a new deal with Seattle, he would make $2.187 million in 2014, then become an unrestricted free agent. Or, of another team signs Baldwin to an offer sheet the Seahawks decide not to match, Seattle would get a second-round pick as compensation.

Seahawks tendered RFA WR Doug Baldwin at a 2nd round level ($2.187M)

— Brian McIntyre (@brian_mcintyre) March 7, 2014

After safety Earl Thomas congratulated Baldwin for a contract extension, Baldwin corrected his teammate.

Thanks for the love peeps. However, I have not been signed to an extension. I’ve just been tagged with the 2nd round tender. More to come.

— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) March 7, 2014

With Baldwin being one of Seattle’s most productive receivers since signing with the Seahawks in 2011 as an undrafted free agent, there had been some thought that Seattle might have used the first-round tender to deter teams from making a move for Baldwin. Doing so would mean paying Baldwin $3.113 million in 2014. While it’s hard to envision any team giving up a first-round pick to sign Baldwin, who had 51 catches for 788 yards and four touchdowns last season, it’s not inconceivable that a team in need at receiver might be willing to part with a second-round pick, particularly if it’s a team picking later in that round.