As I landed in Seattle, like most people do on a flight I immediately turned my phone back on to see what I’d missed over the last 10 hours. The first thing I saw was a tweet noting a contract extension for Abe Lucas. All was well with the world.
Let’s start by talking about Lucas the player. Regulars will know how highly we rated him before the 2022 draft. An outstanding Senior Bowl cemented a late first round grade on my board. I was never quite sure why he wasn’t rated higher. Was it just an injury thing? Regardless, it was well worth the Seahawks taking a shot in round three. Frankly, if they’d have taken him at #40 or #41 I would’ve celebrated the pick.
He showed as a rookie how much potential he had with an excellent first year. Then the injury happened and cast doubt as to what the future held. His return to the field last season was positive and he hasn’t had any setbacks.
Lucas’ showing against Kansas City in pre-season was outstanding, hinting at the prospect of a breakout season, placing him among the very best right tackles in the NFL.
Had the Seahawks waited and Lucas delivered on that, two things could’ve happened. Firstly, it would’ve cost a heck of a lot more money to keep the player. Two, there was the prospect of losing him — which would be a disaster if, as everyone hopes, the offensive line takes a major leap forward this season.
Getting a deal done for this kind of money, just over $15m a year on a three-year extension, is a good balance between providing Lucas with a financial reward, hedging your bets, potentially getting value and allowing the player to reach the market again in his prime.
If the worst happens and Lucas misses time with injury again, this is not a debilitating contract in the slightest. It makes perfect sense to invest in a player like this at a position where finding quality is so difficult.
It’s a great piece of news ahead of the new season.
