Despite the flurry of activity over the weekend, NFL free agency doesn’t officially begin until 1 p.m. PT Tuesday. While teams and players have agreed to plenty of deals, the activity will only pick up in the next couple of days as those deals can be finalized after the start of the new league year.
The Seahawks appear to be losing a couple of starters—CB Byron Maxwell and G James Carpenter—though neither is surprising, while they’ve bolstered depth at cornerback. Here’s a list of the comings and goings so far for the Seahawks. I’ll update as things change.
Coming
CB Will Blackmon—Spent 2013 offseason with Seahawks, but was the victim of a very deep cornerback group. Played pretty well in Jacksonville over the past two seasons.
CB Cary Williams—Former Eagle will reportedly sign with Seattle, and according to multiple reports, the deal is worth up to $18 million over three seasons, a somewhat surprisingly high number. It’s hard to question the Seahawks’ decision making at cornerback considering the talent they’ve drafted and developed, but that does seem like a lot of money for a 30-year-old corner, especially because of how well the Seahawks have developed late-round picks at that position.
TE Jimmy Graham—While not a free agent, Graham is almost certain to be the biggest addition the Seahawks make this offseason, coming to Seattle in Tuesday’s blockbuster trade that sent C Max Unger and a first-round pick to the Saints.
Going
CB Byron Maxwell—The Seahawks knew all along they likely couldn’t afford Maxwell, and indeed the Eagles made him a huge offer, so he’s on his way out of town.
G James Carpenter—Reportedly set to join the Jets on a four-year deal worth just under $5 million per year. For now that makes Alvin Bailey the likely replacement at left guard, but Seattle will likely address the line in the draft as well.
TE Zach Miller—Released by the Seahawks in a cap-saving move, though there’s always a chance he could return for less money if the market isn’t there for his service (but there should be a market for his service).
LB Malcolm Smith—Reportedly signing with Oakland, which is a logical destination after the Raiders hired Ken Norton Jr. as their defensive coordinator. Smith was never likely to re-sign with Seattle, where he is the fourth linebacker, when there were going to be chances for him to go somewhere and be a starter.
DE O’Brien Schofield—Will join former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in Atlanta.
DT Jesse Williams—Waived after missing all of his first two seasons with knee injuries.
T Garrett Scott—2014 sixth-round pick was unable to play because of a heart condition discovered after Seattle drafted him, also waived last week.
C Max Unger—Sent to New Orleans in the trade that brought Jimmy Graham to Seattle. With Carpenter heading to the Jets, the Seahawks suddenly have serious work to do on their O-line.
Staying
RB Marshawn Lynch—OK, so he wasn’t a free agent, but there was still plenty of doubt about his 2015 status, so his new deal, whether he was under contract for 2015 or not, is the most important thing the Seahawks have done this offseason.
DE Greg Scuggs—A 2012 seventh-round pick, Scruggs showed promise as a rookie, but has missed most of the past two seasons with knee injuries.
TE Anthony McCoy—Missed the past two seasons with Achilles injuries, so while there were encouraging signs in 2012, expectations should be tempered for now.
LB Mike Morgan—Restricted free agent and key special teams player re-signed for another year.
WR Jermaine Kearse—Seattle put a second-round tender on the restricted free agent, meaning they’ll owe him $2.36 million in 2015 unless the two sides agree to a different deal between now and then, or (and this is pretty unlikely) unless another team signs him to an offer sheet Seattle doesn’t match, meaning that team would send a second-round pick to the Seahawks.
DB DeShawn Shead
WR Ricardo Lockette—Both Shead and Lockette were exclusive rights free agents, so keeping them is kind of a no-brainer. Either they except Seattle’s qualifying offer, or don’t play for anybody in 2015 (assuming the Seahawks don’t later release them).
To be determined
S Jeron Johnson—Seattle’s top backup at both safety positions and a key special teams player, Johnson might be looking to leave the Seahawks for a team that doesn’t have Pro Bowlers at both safety spots.
DT Kevin Williams—Veteran proved to be a big addition, particularly after Brandon Mebane’s injury, but at 34—he’ll turn 35 before the start of the season—Williams might retire rather than seek another deal with Seattle or any other team.
LB Heath Farwell—After missing all of last season with a groin injury, Farwell is another candidate to retire rather than keep playing, though he hasn’t ruled out playing in 2015. If anything, Farwell might be more likely to return to the Seahawks as a coach in 2015 than a player after serving as a de facto coach last season following the injury.
QB Tarvaris Jackson—The Seahawks should try to keep one of the better backup QBs in the league, and so far there hasn’t been a ton of buzz indicating there will be a lot of competition for Jackson.
LS Clint Gresham—There isn’t a ton of variance in the salaries of veteran long snappers, so unless the Seahawks decide to go young to save a few bucks, expect Gresham to be back.
C Lemuel Jeanpierre—Backup center was released early in the year with an injury settlement, then later-resigned as injuries continued to pile up at that position. With Patrick Lewis eventually beating him out for the backup job, Jeanpierre could decide to look for a fresh start elsewhere.
DE Demarcus Dobbs—Former 49er played well as a mid-season addition. Seahawks probably would bring him back if the price is right.
FB Will Tukuafu—He played a significant role as both the starting fullback and an occasional defensive lineman, but assuming Derrick Coleman is on track to be back from his foot injury, the Seahawks likely won’t keep a veteran No. 2 at that position.
TE Tony Moeaki—Played pretty well, and more importantly given his history, stayed healthy while helping fill in for an injured Zach Miller. As things stand now, the Seahawks could certainly use another capable body at tight end, but they won’t overpay if other teams are driving up Moeaki’s price.
DT Landon Choen—Didn’t play in 2014 until joining the Seahawks in January, but could be re-signed to add depth to a line that, well, needed to sign a player for the postseason who hadn’t played all season.
DT D’Anthony Smith—Spent 2014 on injured reserve, and much of the previous season on the practice squad. Another candidate to come back and provide depth if the price is right.
C/G Steve Schilling—Started four games at center because of injuries, and could be back to provide depth on a low-cost deal.
WR/PR Bryan Walters—The Seahawks elected not to place a tender on Walters, who would have been a restricted free agent, so he can now sign with any team.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
