What now after the Seahawks release Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs & Will Dissly?

Today was inevitable. The Seahawks needed to save money, they had to turn a page on their roster and they had to shift to a new era under Mike Macdonald.

None of the three players cut were providing value for money. Three inflated cap hits have been disposed of. Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs — PFF’s 87th and 88th ranked safeties in 2023 — were due to account for $48.1m in cap space this year. A preposterous situation. Meanwhile Will Dissly’s $10m cap hit wasn’t sustainable either, as his role and number of targets regressed.

The hope has to be that this is a turning point for the franchise.

Firstly, enough with the god awful contracts being handed out. In no way, shape or form should the Seahawks ever get into a position where they were so readily beaten up in the trenches, while investing so much cap space at positions like safety. It would’ve at least been somewhat tolerable if the safeties were playing like Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. Adams and Diggs didn’t get close.

There’s been a worrying trend in recent years where the Seahawks overpay for middling players, wasting their resources. Who could forget the 2020 off-season, where they spent $58.25m on a whole lot of nothing? This included giving Bruce Irvin a 32% pay increase on his 2019 salary in Carolina, for no obvious reason, when there was no clear competition for his signature. It felt like a complete panic move after failing to agree terms with Jadeveon Clowney.

Then they frittered away what should’ve been a golden opportunity post-Russell Wilson trade when his contract came off the books. Instead, they ended up overpaying to keep Diggs and Dissly, they signed mediocre players and cut them a year later, collecting dead money. They went from having a ton of cap space to no cap space in no time at all and the consequences are still being felt now.

The Adams trade was a disaster from the moment it was completed. That isn’t hindsight, I said it at the time and got plenty of backlash. It was a panic move having failed to make any significant additions in free agency in 2020, with quarterback Russell Wilson — on the brink of angling for a trade — calling for the team to add ‘stars’. The ludicrous price of the deal backed the Seahawks into a corner where they felt they had to pay to keep him. Most went along with it because they saw a 9.5 sack season in year one. A few people, including this blog and Hugh Millen’s excellent analysis on KJR, pointed out it was all a manufactured mirage. Still, along came the massive contract that proved to be a dead weight from the minute it was signed.

Only a team filled with amazing talent or an outstanding quarterback should be as strapped for cash as the Seahawks have been. It’s nice that they now have $27m in effective cap space to use in free agency but it’s not that much. It’ll disappear quickly. For a young team to have this little to spend warrants calling out — but that’s what happens when awful decisions in the past lumber you with $34.4m in dead cap.

They can save another $8.2m by cutting Bryan Mone and Nick Bellore — although why those moves haven’t been announced at the same time is a little confusing. Even then, they have a lot of holes to fill and I’ve long thought they’d need about $50m to get everything done to set them up for the draft.

This has to be a turning point for the franchise. Second contracts only go to the best of the best, otherwise you move on. Third contracts have to be saved for special situations. Never overpay for familiarity. The Seahawks need to be more ruthless, calculated and they have to risk going in a cheaper or younger direction as a preference over splurging on undeserving players.

They need to be investing in the right areas. O-line, D-line, receiver, cornerback and quarterback. Any other position — such as linebacker, safety or running back — the player needs to be of the elite variety to warrant it or you move on. By all means pay a Fred Warner level player if you find one. Otherwise, no.

So what does this mean for the future?

Firstly, the big topic is Leonard Williams. I’ve been a big advocate for keeping Williams because I think he’s a really good player and the Seahawks haven’t had a really good defensive lineman in a long time. It’s a vital position. I’d be intrigued to see what Mike Macdonald could do with him, or how Williams could be used to create opportunities and production for others.

That said — I really hope the aim isn’t to overpay Williams a huge contract, as he approaches 30, for a deal that, like Quandre Diggs, he can never live up to. They’ve got to be smart here and not let the emotions of the second round pick investment dictate negotiations. It’ll be a huge loss to the D-line to lose Williams and replacing him will be incredibly hard — but keeping him can’t come at ‘any’ cost.

Look at the Dolphins. They are going to let Christian Wilkins, who is only a year younger than Williams, test free agency. Sometimes you’ve got to know when to let the market dictate things and take a risk.

Next, Jordyn Brooks. He feels perfectly placed for a short-term prove-it deal under Macdonald, or at another team, to try and promote his value. He’s always been in the ‘good not great’ bracket. I fear that with the draft being so weak at linebacker, teams will overpay on the market and thus, the Seahawks might overpay. That can’t be the case. If his price is too high, walk away. Baltimore’s linebackers might’ve been really important but that’s no justification for producing another bad contract that hampers Seattle.

In bringing outsiders in, the approach should be to seek value and impact. Paying Patrick Queen or Geno Stone a fortune just because they succeeded in Baltimore won’t produce that. The Seahawks have to find their own versions. Stone, after all, was a seventh round pick. There are options in this draft at safety — I’d particularly highlight Tyler Nubin, Javon Bullard, Malik Mustapha, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Jaden Hicks, Kitan Oladapo and Dominique Hampton. Draft a couple of them. Find a cheap veteran. Your big spending has to come at the critical positions.

The top end of the market in free agency almost always produces zero value. I appreciate that when the Seahawks have gone bargain hunting in the past they’ve just ended up with Brandon Shell and Eddie Lacy types. The approach was right but the execution wrong. Hopefully Mike Macdonald can help inspire a more effective search for value and production.

Finally — the elephant in the room. The Seahawks need to find a legit franchise quarterback. If you do that, it’s amazing how little you need to fret about trivial matters about which cheap veteran or late round pick fits into a non-premium position.

The 49ers are not a typical franchise in their current state. They have a frighteningly loaded roster. Most other teams rely on a handful of stars to win games, including the quarterback, and cover the rest up with coaching.

Drafting a top quarterback is the #1 priority and it’s why I think the Seahawks are seriously checking out this class and testing the water about trade-up opportunities. If it’s not possible, or if the right player isn’t there, they’ll no doubt pivot to the trenches at #16. But the top focus every year until they find ‘the guy’ should be quarterback.

I’m intrigued to find out whether the Seahawks see ‘the guy’ in this draft and if they do, what John Schneider will do about it.

A quick note to end — don’t forget to tune in to KJR tomorrow at noon for my weekly spot with Puck and Jim, brought to you by Superior Linen. I’ve also done an interview with Michigan pass rusher Jaylen Harrell today, that’ll be available on my YouTube channel later this week.

267 Comments

  1. Vichawkfan

    Well said Rob. It underscores what I began thinking to myself halfway down the article, how does JS survive another season if he doesn’t turn this roster around in short order. One of the Nix boys will be drafted, Bo or Pen.

    • Rob Staton

      I wouldn’t rule out a trade up for JJDrakeCarthyMaye

      • bmseattle

        At this point, who do you think goes higher… McCarthy or Maye?

        • Rob Staton

          Probably Maye

      • Vichawkfan

        NE at 3 is the first and likely only opening to get – the 3rd QB taken. I can’t see anything beyond them doing it for anyone less than Jayden

        • Rob Staton

          I wouldn’t assume they’d only do it for Jayden. I can well imagine them liking multiple QB’s in this class

          • Vichawkfan

            Manifesting last year didn’t work, so I’ll just say they won’t have the nuts to do it this year. Now it will happen

    • Palatypus

      Vichawkfan said,

      One of the Nix boys will be drafted, Bo or Pen.

      You know, when John Schneider first got hired to lead the Seahawks, my first question was, “Did we get Tom Wopat in the deal too?”

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxD0PqVlt5Q

      • Vichawkfan

        I instantly thought the same, expected Uncle Jesse to be the new OL coach. If we draft Bo, the irony better not be lost on anyone of the beat guys at the intro press conf

        • Group Captain Mandrake

          Does this mean that Schneider is the Boss Hogg in this situation? And does that mean Macdonald is Roscoe P. Coltrane?

    • Tomas

      I guess the numerous disastrous contracts were all Pete’s doing, with John arguing vociferously against them behind the scenes. Otherwise, how does John still have a job? No snark intended.

      • BK26

        He had a job because when he was hired, he knew that Pete was the ultimate decider and the one in charge.

        Are you going to argue everything with your boss? He definitely deserves some of the blame, but Pete was in charge. And some of the moves were clearly Pete’s, with John having to move forward from there.

  2. Sparky

    My only disappointment is that Lockett wasn’t included as well.

    LOVE Lockett. One of the great Hawks of this era. And he can still be a meaningful contributor for a contender.

    But it’s time to turn the page. We aren’t gonna get a ring this year. At this point, he only hampers young WR’s opportunities and eats up cap we could use for some promising young players coming into their second contract.

    • Rob Staton

      But who’s the young receiver he’s blocking? Bobo is a very different player and a better WR4

      If the idea is to replace him with a draft pick, then that’s a pick that could go on another position

      For me — you have to determine whether Lockett can be dynamic in this offensive system and whether some of the slightly un-Tyler like moments from last season were simply indicative of frustration with a team going nowhere

      • Sparky

        JSN?

        • Rob Staton

          A good NFL offense should be able to utilise three receivers effectively

          Lockett on the roster should never restrict JSN. That’s Carroll/Waldron’s fault for messing that up

          • Sparky

            To what end though? Another win or two in 2024? I’d like to see us set up the draft to be able to draft BPA. You know better than me, but from what you’ve said that’s very possibly going to be a WR this year for those two third rounders.

            • Rob Staton

              But the difference here is saving $7m to get rid of Lockett, then having to replace him with one of your top three picks

              Might as well just keep him

              • Parallax

                I think there’s a chance we can trade Lockett before the mid-season deadline. Some team on the hunt will need a receiver and if Lockett is playing well, who knows what they’ll pay. Perhaps a second? Perhaps unlikely but WRs who are playing well are a valued commodity. Let’s hope he can bounce back enough to be worth something.

                • Rob Staton

                  You won’t get a second rounder for Tyler Lockett mid season or now

                  • Andy J

                    I think they could get a third. And that it would be worth it. The problem is that the Chiefs make the best destination… but they’re probably too smart to trade for a vet.

                    • Rob Staton

                      I doubt they could get a third

                • DJ 1/2 way

                  Only a desperate and delusional team would give up a 2nd round draft pick for a rental player like that!

                  • Palatypus

                    Okay, that was good.

                  • Parallax

                    Context, my friend. If it might really make the difference between a deep run or early exit, it can make sense. The Rams made a “desperate trade” for Stafford and won a Superbowl. Pete just happened to be delusional about our chances. Not unlike his buddy Russ who speaks of winning two of the next five Superbowls when he’ll be lucky if he manages to find a team that lets him compete to start.

                  • hawksorhiking?

                    Hahahahahaha!

                  • Mel

                    Yeah! They’d have at least throw in a 5th in next years draft too

                • BK26

                  I think he’d rather retire.

          • EmperorMA

            Or is it Geno’s fault for not seeing/not throwing to wide-open receivers all season long?

      • Sea Mode

        And you would have to think Tyler might be open to re-negotiating in some way to help the team. He’s always been a faithful servant in that sense and besides, it might be his only option at this point if he does wish to stick around for another season or two in Seattle to finish off his career. (or, as you and others have brought up, he could just decide to hang up the cleats)

        If he does retire, I would like to think he might have an agreement with JS to wait until after the draft so as not to give away our possible intention to draft a replacement in R3-R4.

        • Rob Staton

          I think there’s a good chance Tyler will do just that — restructure his deal

      • Elmer

        That’s right. Without Lockett there is no proven WR3. Without Lockett there would be more pressure to draft a WR early, and a rookie is not guaranteed.

      • Fatema Karim

        They can draft a new receiver in the third round, get rid of his bloated contract. Maybe improve either the d line or o-line with the money saved. Xavier Leggette or Jalen would be great gets. WR 1 – DK, WR 2 – JSN WR – draft/Bobo. People compare Leggette to DK. If he works out, trade or release DK next year. Draft another WR next year. It’s ridiculous how much they are overpaying the wide receivers. Also, obviously, cut Dee Eskridge.

        • Rob Staton

          Or you could just improve the team and keep Lockett for what amounts to a small saving

          Without needing to spend yet another high pick at receiver

    • jpn

      I’m feeling the same way. You’re looking at replacing, what, an average of 4 receptions on 6 targets per game in a season where you’re not going to win the SB? And they have no TE’s or ILBs right now.

      Those targets are easily spread out, one each, to DK, JSN, Bobo, other WR’s, TE’s and RB’s. If anything, this team has too many weapons who are starving for targets.

      For example, with a post June 1st cut they’d free up enough to bring back both Parkinson and Fant. Or, they could sign two experienced ILBs. It’s not that Lockett won’t be productive. It’s the opportunity cost of solving more important problems.

      • Rob Staton

        And on a June 1st cut they’d eat up a whole bunch of money that cuts into next year, potentially preventing you from keeping Fant and Parkinson anyway

        People are overrating the saving and underestimating the idea of ‘just cracking on’ with whoever as a replacement

        • Brodie

          That dead money will be there next year regardless. Only way it isn’t is unless they cut him pre-June 1 and take a big hit this year or do something to his contact (renegotiate, etc.)

          • Sandman

            What’s the best renegotiate #? He is already costing just under $10M/yr for 2024 n 2025. Will he take an additional $6-10M/ 2 yr deal? That’s $13-15M/yr for your WR3 (hopefully JSN gets WR2 preference). I think that is too much. I prefer we adjust those $10M salaries to the trenches even if we have to wait until 2025 to free up the money.

            • Brodie

              It’s much worse than that my friend. Tyler’s cap hit this year is $27M, and next year it’s also $27M.

              I don’t think there is anything to be done about the signing bonus piece. He does have $15.3M in base salary over the next two years that are fair game to renegotiate.

              When faced with taking a pay cut or a roster cut last year, Joe Mixon agreed to take a $9M per year pay cut from $20.5M to $11.5M. If Tyler did something similar it would take his salary to a more reasonable $18M number. In theory he could take a bigger cut if he wanted.

              Cha would need to weigh in on how the option piece of his pro-rated bonus is treated. There is also a $100k/game roster bonus, but that is only $1.7M in total.

              TLDR: Best case is Tyler agrees to take as big of a pay cut as possible from his base salary of $15.3M

  3. j hawk

    How would Locket savings look as June 1 cut?

    • Sea Mode

      Per Spotrac:

      POST-6/1 RELEASE
      2024 Dead Cap: $9,895,000
      2025 Dead Cap: $9,895,000
      2024 Cap Savings: $17,000,000

    • Julian

      I think this might be the way they’d go if they draft a Wide Receiver and they might still get a very good one in the 5th or 6th round? Alternatively if they don’t draft a Wide Receiver they’ll restructure his contract to create space for the draft picks, this way the effective cap space now is greater and leave the Tyler Lockett situation for post draft?

  4. Jlwaters

    Good article though WR isn’t an impact position. What we are bound to see in the very near future is an oversupply of WR’s with rookies coming in and making an impact. It’s not far off that WR will be like RB, with teams opting to go with young players and throw around obscene contracts to above average/ good vets.

  5. RomeoA57

    When is Dee Eskridge getting axed? Can’t happen soon enough. Still a happy day to see The Peacock gone.

    • Sea Mode

      Big Mike mentioned near the end of last thread that there is word Mone might not be able to pass a physical and would thus require an injury settlement (per Corbin Smith, not sure if he is reporting or just speculating). As Big Mike mentioned, perhaps Eskridge is in the same boat.

      After the big moves today, we have breathing room and I’m sure those smaller moves are next up on JS’ to-do list.

      • Rob Staton

        It would certainly make sense as to why Mone hasn’t been cut

        And it’d be a gut punch for cap space — another horrible contract that made no sense

      • RomeoA57

        Oh geez! you mean that Eskridge gets to contribute almost nothing for three years. Embarass the organization when he got supended for a Domestic Violence charge, and now he gets an Injury Settlement before being booted out of Renton?

      • STTBM

        I’ve always suspected Eskridge was a JS pick. No freaking way he was Carrols, and he’s been so worthless, I doubt it was the Scouts.

        Supposedly, Eskridge was practicing well before his suspension. But he’s looked like anything but a football player to me.

        • Parallax

          I’d not be surprised if Carroll vetoed taking Humphrey. My sense is Waldron wanted a third receiver and advocated for a guy who could run gadget plays. Schneider seems to try hard to give his coaches what they want. Under Carroll he had no choice. Will be interesting to see if that shifts now. Or if it needs to. Maybe Mcdonald is smart enough not to make myopic choices.

        • Tom

          I don’t think Eskridge ever got a fair shake on this team. Dude has talent. Waldron sucked at utilizing players. I would love to see if our new offensive coordinator can unlock Eskridge’s potential.

          • Parallax

            Maybe if Eskridge could stay healthy for more than ten minutes. High five that guy the wrong way and he winds up on IR.

      • Julian

        I think their cuts are coming, but leaving their medicals until the last moment makes sense. They have some cap space to work with now when Free Agency starts.

    • Palatypus

      I am not with any of you on Eskridge. There are several factors at play here. For one, you have got to throw the ball to Lockette. People get upset if you don’t throw the ball to Lockette. Geno heard this all the time.

      Then, every coach in the league learns this.

      Injuries, inexperience, off-field issues, coaching, hot rookie, etc.

      Like I said before, here is my impersonation of EVERY person in Alabama when you are wearing a Seahawks Draft Blog T-shirt (available on YouTube):

      You guys are underutilizing Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

      If Seattle had drafted Puca Nacua’s “make them remember you’re slow” a$$, do you think he would do better than Jake Bobo?

      • Palatypus

        And all of DK’s drama.

        • Palatypus

          Oh, and if you want a player who can do that whole Jet-Sweep thing that Pete loved so much, do you remember the fake “tush push” that Washington did against Oregon on 4th and inches with Michael Penix actually under center?

          Yeah, go get that guy! He is available in the draft.

      • MountainHawker

        Lockette retired years ago

  6. jed

    This is a neat “first data point” in the decision making of the post Pete era.

    I think a guy like Lockett is very different than the guys released today. Just far more, real culture or identity or Seahawky or whatever the right word is. Ring of Honor? I agree with the brutal business side, but I just feel different about him.

    I’d try and see if he’s retiring, not say anything, and figure it out with FA and the draft to find the 3rd WR. Let him retire after 6/1 and spread the cap that way. Provided he wants to retire. Otherwise, I’d keep him and play cap games as needed.

    • Sea Mode

      Agree. Just commented the same thing up above at the same time!

      • jed

        great minds or???

        • Ian Heathrow

          It isn’t coincidence that many here are of the right mind! I often am called “Seahawks Draft Blog Cultist” on X! Little do they know that it is them who are the blind cultists!! How else do you explain people who love Geno “Mediocre” Smith?!!! There are many Seahawks fan cults online. SDB are not one!!!! Cults need foolish group think. Not ahead of the curve smarts!!

          • Palatypus

            Joining the cult of Cthulhu costs a lot of sanity points.

            • jed

              Ride the lightning man.

              • Palatypus

                Saw them play it live a few times.

                • Big Mike

                  7 times for me, first was the Justice tour so sadly never with Cliff.

            • #2 Ogie Oglethorpe

              This blog really needs a like button! LOL!

  7. Sean

    Today at lunch I told my boss, “maybe today will be the day”, When he asked, I told him that there have been so many days that I looked at my phone hoping to see that Jamal Adams would be released. It hasn’t happened any day before now, but today could be the day.

    Twenty minutes later, I went back to my desk, looked at my computer and saw Adams and Diggs released. I literally yelled “Yes! Today is the day!” I was so fired up. I even explained to our poor secretary why I was so fired up. I was jacked. I was pumped I was juiced. I wished I had a big wad of Pete-gum.

    This is a true story. The story of me getting excited about the Seahawks again.

    • Rob Staton

      😂

    • Sea Mode

      I was pumped I was juiced. I wished I had a big wad of Pete-gum.

      🤣

      • Palatypus

        Now there is a marketing idea. Pete Gum. The only flavor is Challenge Flag “Red.”

    • Big Mike

      I feel you Sean. 😀

    • Parallax

      Awesome, my friend. I love the irony of getting charged over releasing a couple of overpaid safeties. I’m so with you. This team needs to slim down. They were the worst examples of our fat, overfed, under-performing payroll.

  8. Parallax

    Excellent, excellent article Rob. I loved your comment about the importance of not “overpay(ing) for familiarity”. That was my biggest frustration with Pete Carroll and why I eventually came to see him as not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I get that he wanted to create a positive culture but it had, frankly, become a culture of pampered players with an even larger sense of entitlement than the average overpaid NFL starter.

    You’ll have to forgive me if I mention that you’ve come around to what I’ve been saying forever about re-signing Leonard Williams. There was a time when you were saying Seattle simply had to re-sign him. That’s when I spoke of the sunk cost fallacy and we disagreed for a while. I’m with you on signing him if the value is there. But we must not overpay. We can’t afford to do so. The only way the trade might eventually seem, with hindsight, justifiable, is if he signs a reasonable contract and keeps playing at a high level. Even then, of course we’ll never know because we won’t know who we missed out on in the 2nd round this year and the 5th next year.

    Throughout your article, I was like “Yes!, Yes! Exactly!” So well said. I wouldn’t call it ruthless to insist on reasonable value. The players make a ton and they and their agents look out for their interests. Management needs to look out for the interests of the team. Otherwise, the fans are the ones getting fleeced, though some are quite gullible and seemingly happy to overpay for familiarity and a culture of pampered brats.

    • Rob Staton

      I still think they have to keep Williams, just not at any cost. I’ve never thought they should break the bank. I just think the sunk cost stuff is wrong because clearly having him can influence things and he is a quality player. I think sometimes people try too hard not to spend money. But there’s a limit. My position has always been that, it’s never changed

      • Parallax

        Fair enough, Rob.

        Sunk cost fallacy doesn’t mean cut him no matter what. It means the team needs to recognize this is essentially no different than any free agent signing, perhaps with a slight boost for knowing the guys and having proved himself a really hard working, high-motor, high-character guy. But no more Pete Carroll candy-contracts.

        • Ben

          Immediately thought of you when I read this!

          Familiarity is useful for getting a better deal, we should use the current negotiating window but the trade shouldn’t change the bottom line of what the Hawks are willing to pay.

          Otherwise, mistakes are made! Gotta be savvy upcoming.

          • Parallax

            Hey Ben. I’d hit the “like” button if there were one.

        • Rob Staton

          But he isn’t the same as any other free agent signing. You invested in him, he’s been with the team and that’s a world apart from a comparable player like Christian Wilkins

          • player2

            Speaking of Christian Wilkins, Steve Smith’s take on him is hilarious: https://www.nfl.com/videos/mjd-reveals-free-agent-who-should-be-atop-cowboys-wish-list-nfl-total-access

            “He’s a dog with rabies!”

          • Parallax

            The “you invested in him” is the irrelevant part. The sunk cost. At least that’s the way I see it. Unless it gives you something going forward, it means nothing.

            • Rob Staton

              It’s not irrelevant though

              It’s a fallacy if anything to claim it means nothing. It doesn’t. You have used a high value pick on the guy

      • TimDB11

        I’d be willing to overpay on a 3 year deal at the most. Having said that. I agree with not at any price as well. Nothing over 20 million a year. And thats only because i feel the trenches are critical positions. It will be interesting to see what happens.

      • Julian

        A big advantage of cutting Jamal Adams outright this year, is that more spending for a big contract like Leonard Williams can be pushed into next year and beyond, like with the Javon Hargrave contract below.

        https://overthecap.com/player/javon-hargrave/4802

        For me, the Javon Hargrave contract is the limit though. The Seahawks shouldn’t be pushed beyond $21million APY and hopefully with Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins in free agency, it might keep this number more realistic?

        Whether or not the Seahawks have Leonard Williams come the draft, also changes the draft strategy I’d have thought. Without him, trying to get a 2nd round pick back becomes more of an issue?

    • David J Tabayoyon

      They say Williams is due $17 Mil/yr. The problem comes trying to get him to sign some Geno-like deal (incentive laden) or backloading the deal with no salary guarantee at the end. I want him back. I never felt he was a bad acquisition and that they should have done something sooner about locking him up.

      My contract proposal: 3 years $50 mil (I know that is under projection), $30 mil signing bonus, Salaries $4/7/9 mil. Year 1 fully guaranteed, 50% year 2, 0% year 3.

      Cap hits of $14/17/19 mil

  9. Red

    I’m sure I’m not the only one here who feels this way, but what a refreshing off season. Changes that have long needed to be made are being made, overloaded contracts are being dropped, fresh new faces at every coaching position, everything is just so exciting.
    No idea where this team will be in five years, but I am looking forward to how this process all plays out. I know there will be ups and downs, but it is so damn nice to just start anew.

    Go Hawks!

    • Parallax

      Well said and me too.

      I’m not worried about five years from now. I’m thinking that it’s fun to be a fan right now. The whole point of winning is the experience but good experiences in sports aren’t limited to winning seasons. They can also unfold when there optimism about the future. The team finally seems on the right track and I’m going to enjoy it right now.

      If we are lucky enough to win a Superbowl, great. But then it’s in the past, which is already a bit sad. Unless there’s a good chance we’ll continue to win. I’m fully in with Rob’s assertion that the best way of getting there is to find a great QB. Because, as we found out with the LOB plus Lynch plus Wilson, it’s damn hard to hold together that much talent in the salary cap era. A better strategy is to get a ton of efficiency from the QB position (even once paid a ridiculous salary) and find one or two other great pieces to make the team hard to beat. (i.e. Mahomes, Kelcey, McDuffie).

    • DriveByPoster

      I could live with Alan & the ridiculous coffee cup. I would probably be a bit of a dick too if I were a multi-millionaire. But I am so glad to see the back of getting in an opponents face when they have just gashed you for easy yards; of tackling your own team mates; of business decisions on the goal line; of always being in the vicinity but hardly ever being involved in the play &, most importantly, of feeling bad about being a Seahawks fan because of toxic tweets & management failure to enforce standards of decency. Happy? Not yet. Relieved it’s over? Abso-fragging-lutely! Onwards & upwards! Go ‘hawks!

  10. Dean Miller

    Finally feel the franchise is headed in right direction Make few more cuts to get to $50M and hopefully get lucky hit on a QB in draft. Really enjoy your work and look forward to your appearance on kjr tomorrow

  11. Palatypus

    They can save another $8.2m by cutting Bryan Mone and Nick Bellore — although why those moves haven’t been announced at the same time is a little confusing. Even then, they have a lot of holes to fill and I’ve long thought they’d need about $50m to get everything done to set them up for the draft.

    Maybe now that Frodo has the Vorpal Blade, he wants them to tremble in the dark.

    • Hawkguy68

      Diggs and Adams cuts were pretty much baked into the cake. Gets more interesting after this. I think the jury is still out on Geno. I was of the opinion earlier that they would definitely trade him. I still think that is the plan, but not have found the right compensation yet.

      Earlier though, I thought that this year might be a complete tear down, which would have included Mone (could be injury is why as was said) Bellore, Lockett and the above Geno trade. Still believe Mone is gone either through injury or release. And Bellore is gone. I don’t think they’re going to resign Leonard Williams. His value will be too high.

      But I will say that this has the “feel” now that Macdonald might be doing the tear down on the defensive side but might be keeping the current offense side mostly intact by keeping Geno and Lockett and the short term goal is to remain competitive overall by utilizing the offensive side and work on the defensive rebuild first. Could still keep Geno AND draft a QB I don’t think those two things a mutually exclusive of each other.

      But these two cuts don’t tell us much at this point as to the overall strategy. They were coming regardless. Mone and Bellore are really meaningless for understanding what the direction is.

      IF Macdonald is the defensive mastermind as everybody says he is, then he should be able to maximize the defensive side of the ball with fewer resources than other coaches. Which would dovetail into that maybe the strategy here is to keep the offensive side mostly intact and he can work his magic wand on the defensive side to get as much out of them while they rebuild that side of the ball.

      • SeattleLifer

        I agree these cuts were done before said, bloated contracts for underperforming players and not in themselves indicative of any big changes in how things are done by the John/Mike.

        Time will tell and hopefully they will be run more calculated/ruthless going forward because they have been everything but under John over his tenure.

  12. Ian Heathrow

    YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Finally Seattle are dumping all of the dead weight that have made then so awful these past few miserable Pete Carroll years.

    DO NOT STOP!!!! KEEP CUTTING!!!!!

    There really is no excuse to keep any Pete Carroll players, unless you absolutely have to. Rip off the bandage. It is time to exercise the demons of the past. No half measures!!! Get rid of it all!!! Including Pete’s beloved Geno “Mediocre is my middle name” Smith! Trade him for spare parts. Just do it already.

    With these firings, I think it is pretty clear and obvious that Seahawks Draft Blog had been ahead of the curve with all of this! Finally they are listening to the true visionaries like Rob!!! Time to get with the program and future. No more 90 year old dinosaurs!!! No more backwards thinking!!!!

    My only fear is Seattle also should have axed Schneider as well. I fear he is going to continue many of the bad Pete Carroll philosophies and backwardness! Jodi Allen should have gone full bandage! But she didn’t. So I think at this point they need to do the best possible route and fire all of Pete’s remaining players!!! Geno, Lockett, Bellore, Mone, Jones, Reed, Nwosu, next!!!! SEE YA!!!!!!!

    And then it will be time to draft the QBOTF! As Rob has said many times now, it’s finally make a big swing and trade up time!!! Who cares what it takes. Trade DK and multiple future picks. This is the time!!!

    It is time to flush away our recent horrible miserable past. Onward and forward!!! Goodbye mediocrity!!!!!

    • Parallax

      I have a “baby with bathwater” concern. The jury is still out on Schneider but I love the way he handled the coaching search. Not crazy about his willingness to pick up Geno’s 2024 contract. My vote would have been “cut”. But I’m willing to give him a chance and see what sort of magic he can make with regard to the roster in the off season.

      • Parallax

        Another thought. Just read Adams was released with a pre-June-1st designation. In other words, we eat the entire cap hit in 2024. I love it. Much as I saw no reason to push part of Geno’s cap hit out a year, this indicates Schneider has an eye toward 2025 (rather than more of the same old “never stop competing” claptrap that really meant “I’m too old to worry about the future”). If true, a very good sign in my book.

        • Ian Heathrow

          Yes!!!! Rip off the bandage!! Now!!! No more Pete players!!! That is unless you must. Jodi Allen should have listened to Rob years ago. We should be 3 years into post mediocre Pete. Not just beginning it. Oh well. I just hope Schneider doesn’t use what Pete taught him, and listens to Big Mac’s visionary future thinking instead!

          I can’t wait to hear the next cuts!!! More, more, Mone, more!!!

        • GoldenHawk

          Although I don’t understand why he was released as a pre-June-1st designation. Couldn’t they have done post June 1 to save more money this year?

          And then there’s no requirement to spend it – you can just roll it over to next year if you don’t want to use it. Seems like giving yourself the extra flexibility is a good thing? Unless you don’t trust yourself to spend it, kind of like a person on a diet shouldn’t keep cookies around.

          • Parallax

            I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth. Just hoping it’s true. After the move to push some of Geno’s salary out to 2025, which made no sense to me.

            • Ian Heathrow

              As I have said in the past threads. John Schneider bungled the biggest bungling possible with his Geno miscalculation. Pure idiot move. He needs to stop sniffing Pete Carroll farts, and get in on the Big Mac future vision cologne smelling train.

    • Palatypus

      Ian Heathrow said:

      DO NOT STOP!!!! KEEP CUTTING!!!!!

      Chopping off heads is fun until you get Napolean. Or the Red Queen, played by Helena Bonham Carter.

      • Big Mike

        Or the Red Queen

        Remember what the Dormouse said

    • Brodie

      I get the excitement, but we won’t have a team if you’re cutting everyone who isn’t on a rookie deal. Reed and Nwosu in particular have been outstanding and in no way deserve to be on the chopping block.

      Cutting Geno – as tempting as that might sound to you – serves absolutely no purpose at this point. Whatever is going to happen with Geno will not happen until after the draft. You can’t go into a draft with no QB on the roster.

      Bellore… Maybe he gets the axe, maybe not. #1 he’s on $4M, which isn’t all that much. #2 he can play ILB in a pinch and we currently have *checks roster* no one. #3 He is the captain on special teams and has been a solid contributor there for years. #4 The locker room loves him and so do Stuart and Adam (great guest on the Ped Pod). Either way, he’s not one that we should be all that concerned about. It isn’t a good contract, but neither is it a prohibitive one.

      • Ian Heathrow

        To me it isn’t as much about “making sense” as much as it’s about exercising the demons of Pete “9-8” Carroll. Seattle allowed itself to love mediocre football. We need to demonize and exercise all mediocre Pete football players. Only tactical excellence going forward!! Bye bye, mediocre Pete “feel good” players!!! Don’t let the door hit you on your way out of positivity land!

        • douglas e ballinger

          dumb

    • Sea Mode

      My only fear is Seattle also should have axed Schneider as well. I fear he is going to continue many of the bad Pete Carroll philosophies and backwardness! Jodi Allen should have gone full bandage!

      Well, it was literally in JS’s contract that he gets a crack at it with full control whenever PC moved on, so not much chance at that. I suppose there is a price at whoch anyone could be bought out, but why pay it instead of giving one of the most respected GMs in the league who has knocked the last two drafts out of the park his shot at it without the PC shackles on?

    • DK

      Yeah, I see what you are saying, but you can’t cut the whole team and start from scratch.

      Reed, Nwosu and Lockett can all be valuable moving forward.

      I don’t think Smith was a miscalculation on Schneider’s part< I think he was going to see if there was a market out there, there wasn't, and at the same time he needed to create some cap space. The dead money hit next season will be a little larger, but half of what it is if they traded him now.

      With Smith, Schneider is also very good at figuring out how the draft is going to fall. So, keeping Geno might be a hedge against not being able to land a top QB who could challenge for the starting spot year 1.

      No keeping Schneider was the best thing Jodi Allen could do, he is considered a top 5 GM in the league. He has been making the picks the last two seasons or had much more say in the players they chose. He was always hamstrung by Pete Carroll because Pete was his boss, since he also was the EVP of football Operations.

      Now Schneider is the GM and President of Football operations, so he is the top dog in roster construction and such. I think we will see a significant change in how thing are done.

      • Unio

        This ^^^^

      • JimN

        Totally agree. I think Schneider operates without having his hands tide is the biggest change we can and will continue to experience. The direction is up. If a player is part of the future, they will keep him if not, let him go. The ups and downs, swings and misses/HR, are all part of this business. Lets enjoy the momentum and the hope for the future.

  13. GoldenHawk

    Rob, if their QB isn’t available with the pick they have, or the trade up opportunities cost too much, what about trading out acquiring draft capital for next year so that you hopefully really have the ammo to get whoever you guy is next year? #16 pick this year surely can be turned into a 1st and 2nd rounder (or more) next year?

    Otherwise we might be stuck in the same situation next year where we don’t have enough draft capital to get a guy we really like. And we might already be stuck with Geno this year since I don’t there’s any trade demand for him, unless some contender’s starter gets hurt in the preseason.

    • Parallax

      I’ve had similar thoughts at times. The NFL tends to overpay for “right now” which means real value comes with patience. A GM needs to have faith that his job’s not on the line to go with that strategy, but if I were the owner I’d tell John “don’t worry about “24; I’m giving you no less than three years — at least three”.

    • DJ 1/2 way

      I too have been thinking about this. There are a lot of “Ifs” involved and it is hard to consolidate these issues. How is the QB draft next year? How is the draft in general? Can you get good value in a trade? (a first and second sounds good, but where are they in the first and second?) What is the value of one year of development for the offensive lineman drafted this year? Are you doing this partly because you traded away this years second rounder? (oops)

      I would like to see the Seahawks stop throwing good money after bad. The contract extension for Adams is an example. Trying to make yourself look better after making a mistake just makes things worse and only fools the gullible. The Broncos extending Russ and the Browns extending massage QB are examples worse than Adams. Overpaying Williams would be a much less egregious example.

      Trading first round picks can have better results. The Bears look good after eating Carolinas lunch, but Arizona seems to have lost in their trade with Houston mainly because of bad picks. There are no guarantees in the draft, and if the team that trades for your first round draft pick wins it is a later pick and if they choke, like Carolina and their tiny, overated qb, then maybe you get the first pick.

      I would rather see the Seahawks stick and pick or make a small trade down with a team desperate for a specific OT or wide reciever. A trade up is risky and there does not look like there is a Mahomes or Allen near the 10th pick. I guess we will see. Trading for stock in next years draft would have to be rich to consider, and you got to hope for bad results and an early pick. Maybe you ask for the next two seconds or thirds-they are not as impacted by how early or late they are.

    • Rob Staton

      You have to be careful with that though. Say you basically trade out of this draft for the next one and still can’t get the QB next year because the top three teams all need the same
      QB’s and don’t want to trade down. You’re screwed

      You have to strike in a given year. They need to decide if ‘the guy’ is in this class. If he is, go get him. If not, onto next year

      • Matt

        Bingo. You’ve made the point; but unless the assumption is that we pick top 3 next year – you have to be aggressive or do the “wait and be lucky” thing. I don’t think JS is wanting to do that any longer.

        My guess is an aggressive move up and that they’d be happy with Daniels, Maye, or McCarthy, in that scenario.

        *I know people will flip out at McCarthy, but if that’s who John likes…I’m all in.

        • Rob Staton

          Agreed

  14. Andy J

    NEVER OVERPAY FOR FAMILIARITY!!!!!!! Scream that shit.

    • Ian Heathrow

      No more happy feelings, good vibes Pete nonsense! It killed us and was always a fools game! We must be ruthlessly efficient and kill our old culture of fake happiness. This is big time business. As Homer Simpson once said, you don’t make friends with salad! Seattle should never want to he a fake happy group of salad eaters. They need to be efficient, ruthless assassins who do not care about your “feelings.” Time for Seattle to go next level and get with the times. No longer do we live in an age of “feelings” and “participation trophies.” Time to get lean and mean. Get rid of any players who do not sign on to your new vision. Goodbye!! I’m sure Pete “mediocre life coach” Carroll can get you a job on the bread line!

      • Unio

        I have feelings on the matter similar to what Ian so vigorously elucidates. When one has held sway over an organization for as long as Carroll in Seattle, it is difficult, yet extremely important, that pretty much every last “physical vestige” of the old be swept away (not the spirit of what he has given), so there is a space for the new coach to stretch his canvas and create something new in its place. It occurs to me that this is why statues of famous people are erected: to pay homage to the spirit of the man, that a new era may follow.

      • BK26

        I think someone has been drinking some Mountain Dew late at night.

        • Unio

          Hmmm…I appreciate from where your comment is coming. These days I am preferring Glengoyne Old Highland Single Malt, but on rare occasions only. This qualifies as a Mountain Dew, does it not?
          But to Mr Ian’s point above, is it not evident that this is not a facelift, it’s not a retooling, it’s not a rebuild; it’s more akin to an alchemist attempting to change a base metal into gold. It’s a transmutation.
          The roster cuts yesterday (and the ones to come), just as with the complete dissolution of his coaching staff, were exigent in order to turn the page from the Pete Carroll epoch to the Mike Macdonald era. This was requisite both from a financial sense as well as to introduce a new coherence to the entire organization. Yet, much more of the same needs to follow.

          • DAVID MAST

            he wasn’t replying to you lol. he was replying to Ian.

  15. TimDB11

    Totally agree with the Jordan Brooks logic. So excited again to see how things playout.

  16. Big Mike

    Good stuff Rob. Right there with you on getting the cap under control with smart contracts/signings.

  17. samprassultanofswat

    I think next year Geno’s cap is around 37mil? Does anyone know how much of a cap savings would we have if Geno cut after the 2024 season?

    • Gritty Hawk

      We save $25M next year if Geno is cut before March 20th.

  18. Palatypus

    I am really disappointed with the energy on this board right now.

    /sarcasm

  19. Chris 206

    I’ve become quite critical of John lately, so it’s only fair to give credit when credit is due.

    Today’s actions by John were exceedingly competent. Here’s to many more competent actions in the future!

    I wouldn’t normally give praise to someone for just being competent in their job, but it’s been a long time coming for John, so I’ll make an exception (the head coach hire seemed decent too, although only time will tell).

  20. Ben

    Echoing everybody’s thoughts, long time coming, but so excited to see this change.

    Gotta move forward and use this coaching change to reset. Great coaching process, good offseason process so far.

  21. Jo

    Great stuff Rob and I’m so happy the offloading of bad contracts and/or bad apples has finally begun.

  22. Peck

    It just looks like Shnider gets an easy pass for this horrible cup management. Was he kidnappen and forced to sign on Adams and Diggs deals? He was against bur preferred to stay employment? Not sure it is a good look. He should’we been going with Carrol.

    • Palatypus

      Peck said:

      It just looks like Shnider gets an easy pass for this horrible cup management.

      Well, when you have Pecks, it is hard to manage cups.

      And seriously man stop messing with the Ghostbusters. I’m not letting you off the “Shnide.”

    • samprassultanofswat

      Sorry Peck: 100% disagree with you.

      But then in your opinion who should Jody Allen hired to replace John Schneider. My guess is that you don’t have a clue.

      BTW: In my opinion JS is one the BEST GMs in the NFL, if not THE best.
      Just want to know who is your guy?

      • Peck

        I can name 10 bed/horrible trades this team did. How many good they have? There is no question cup management was just a shame. Who’s to blame? Only Carrol?

        • BK26

          Mostly Carroll. The Adam’s situation was 100% Carroll.

        • Big Mike

          Since his first presser, Carroll made it clear he was the ultimate authority. Not letting John off with a pass on all the bad moves but imo the majority were PC. That said, we’re going to get a far better idea in the next couple of years tho, Assigning blame for bad moves at this point is only speculation. That will be the beauty of JS staying on and totally in charge.

        • Collins

          Now I am curious. Lets see these 10 bed/horrible trades this team did!

        • JimN

          Ever work for a boss Peck? When he says jump, you either jump or leave. Anyone who has worked in a large company knows this exactly.

          Schneider wasn’t the problem because he wasn’t calling the shots on the big questions. I would ask you to show me the 10 bad /horrible trades SCHNEIDER did.

          Lets see if the last two years of great drafting, attibuted to JS BTW, continues this year. Bet it does.

        • Palatypus

          I hate bed trades.

    • Bob Johnston

      It’s my thought that Schneider is still around because he went to Jodi with a plan that acknowledged past mistakes and his vision for the future that would prevent making similar mistakes in the future. I believe that JS is a smart man who can learn from his mistakes. I think that’s what differentiates him from Pete. There’s no part of me that doesn’t believe that JS wakes up every morning and his first thought is “why did we trade and overpay for Jamal Adams?”. I think the past two drafts were the result of JS learning from past mistakes and I’m looking forward to the future.

  23. Denver Hawker

    /Kylo Ren meme: More, MORE!!!!!!

  24. Gross MaToast

    With some reflection, it seems quite clear who had final approval over the roster. Is there any doubt, that Pete, if he were still here, would have brought back all three of the players released today? There’s none. It was a given. Remember, as he was trying to save his job, he pitched “fixing the pass rush” with some super secret formula that he refused to divulge after he was let go. He had everything in place to run it back with a few new bells and whistles and Boom!, look, it’s the Super Bowl. So credit to JS for doing what had to be done. BUT, let’s not act as if this is some master stroke of genius and insight – the cuts made today were things that have been discussed by Rob and this board for the past two or three years. Rob’s taken a shit ton of shit for even suggesting these moves were necessary. Take a bow, Rob.

    Now that it’s done, the next thing is TQBOTF.
    “Don’t need one; got Geno.”
    “Geno ain’t the problem.”
    “Geno is a top ten QB; are you f-ing nuts?”
    Geno is a 34-year old journeyman who is decidedly fine sometimes. The next Super Bowl he goes to will be the one where he’s signed as the back-up to Mahomes. It ain’t happening. I don’t care how they do it, but it’s got to get done. Whether they trade up this year, trade out of R1 of this draft for an additional R1 in ’25 and take a shot, or get lucky on a R3 flyer, they’ve got to start the grind of getting The Guy. Maybe you take a shot and miss. Fine, take another one…and another.

    I’d like to see them take difference makers. The most explosive offensive lineman ever tested, according to the TEF results, is Beaux Limmer. Take a look at this:

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PxUayAmG1UA

    Go get that guy. I’m sorry he’s not pretty when he runs a forty, but he’s going to spend a good portion of Sunday afternoons whipping ass. “But what if he can’t control his weight after being drafted?” That’s the chance we take with every pick.

    So, in conclusion, good on JS on recognizing it and doing what had to be done. Keep going.

    Also, props to Rob for still harboring a deep bitterness over the senseless raise given to Bruce Irvin after all these years. That’s the kind of lingering hate you love to see.

    • samprassultanofswat

      Gross: Pretty agree with you except one thing. The next Super Bowl that Geno goes to he will be watching it from the 50 yard line.

    • samprassultanofswat

      BTW: Love Sweat. But you are not going to get both Sweat and your QB in this draft. You gotta go with the QB.

      • Gross MaToast

        I’m fine with either/or, but make it count. No more shifty dudes from Directional State Technical College of Higher Knowledge or whatever the hell passes as their vision of O-linemen has been for the past several years. Yes, Cross is okay, but for what he cost, should be elite. The rest are closer to the Germain Ifedi Memorial Hall of Fame than the one in Canton.

  25. Julian

    I’ve put together my idea of some players I think the Seahawks can target in Free Agency.

    My assumption (perhaps optimistically) includes cutting Bellore, Mone and Eskridge without Injury payouts, to have $46 million in cap space for free agency. There are other options for cuts or restructured contracts post draft, to create more space to sign drafted players.

    All the Cap figures I’ve sourced from sites such as CBS, SI, or PFF, or estimates from contracts of similar players, factoring in an inflation. The figure mentioned is the first years Cap Number, not APY unless mentioned:

    Offense :
    Tyler Huntley QB – $3.2M Ravens
    John Simpson LG – $3 M Ravens
    Evan Brown C/G – $2.3M Seahawks
    Noah Fant TE – $5.5M Seahawks

    Defense :
    Leonard Williams DT – $8M Seahawks
    Jadeovan Clowney DE – $6.5M (1yr) Ravens
    or A.J. Epenesa DE – $3.5M Lions
    or Marcus Davenport DE – $3.5M (1yr) Saints
    Jordyn Brooks OLB – $7M Seahawks
    Willie Gay Jr ILB – $3M Chiefs
    Jeremy Chinn S – $2.5M Panthers
    Mike Jackson – $2.5M Seahawks

    I’ve two Totals here depending on a choice at Defensive End. $43.5 million or $41.5 million.

    Only Jadeovan Clowney on this list is over 30 today.

    I think the most intriguing player on this list is Jeremy Chinn. He’s a player with great athletic upside with a record of some early success in the NFL. He was in the PFWA All Pro Rookie team for 2020. I would love to see how Mike Macdonald would scheme him? He has very similar measurables in the same position to Kyle Hamilton, though more athletic.

    Seemingly Mike Macdonald likes a big Defensive End type 265lbs +, which is why I have some options on this list. If Clowney (and certainly Za’Darius Smith) is too expensive and Davenport doesn’t check out medically, I think Epenesa would be a cheaper, good alternative. He also likes a big Nose Tackle, but they can be got during or after the draft.

    • Rob Staton

      There’s no way, I’m afraid, they’re going to be able to sign all of those players at those prices in year one

      • Julian

        It’s true, I think if one takes off Evan Brown and Mike Jackson from that list, you could still put out a team of decent players. They’ll need a Tight End in free agency, but getting one for less than Noah Fant is probably preferable.

        Where the team can’t avoid recruiting free agents I think, along with Tight End, are at Line Backer probably two, back up QB, a Defensive Tackle and a Left Guard (and please a Left Guard, not a Right Guard pushed onto the Left). In other positions, they could still put out a team of fair starters, irrespective of how the draft falls for them.

    • DK

      Leonard Williams alone will cost about double that. He is turning 30 this year, so t want to sign him to a backloaded 4-5 year deal to keep his cap numbers down.

      Let Brooks walk, I think too many people get caught up in his stats. He is an average at best LB. DrueTranquill, Blake Cashman, Willie Gay is another one that you mentioned, cheaper LBs who will come in on cheaper deals but play well in coverage. I’d even say re-sign Devin Bush since he fits the mold of the LBs Macdonald had in Baltimore. Devan White intrigues me, he has the athleticism as a blitzer to fit well into the new scheme, but he is awful in coverage.

      Skip Evan Brown, they need to bring in big physical o-linemen, guys that set the tone for the offense.

      • Peter

        I’d skip brown as well. They already drafted Olu. Brown did not provide enough anything for me to say he’s a keeper.

        To me the draft is a fairly reductive process. Players selected should be squint your eyes and contribute or you wasted the pick. Even if the contributions are special teams.

        In this case we haven’t had a good center in a decade. Should not be drafting backup centers when you haven’t found a starter.

      • Julian

        I based Leonard Williams contract on Javon Hargraves contract of the 9ers. You’re right, he has a back loaded contract with two void years to a total value of $8 million.
        I’m with you to reduce that number, perhaps not bringing back the likes of Evan Brown, might be a better idea and then up his cap this year a little more?

    • Brodie

      I don’t think it’s possible, but I like the list. Simpson, Willie Gay and Chinn are all intriguing options.

      I think Gay was more of a situational player. His snap count percentage was around 60% after his rookie year. I think Bolten was their Mike and Gay and Leo Chenal split Will duties with Gay getting about 2x snaps than Leo.

      Chinn could make a good reclamation project. There are a lot of fun safeties in this class too though. Maybe he’s still around after the draft if we miss out. He only played 11 games in ’22 and 12 games this year, with 8 starts. Not sure what the story is there, but looks like some injuries and possibly lost his role.

      Good list. A lot of names from the recent past that stand out. Definitely a young group with draft pedigree.

      • Julian

        Other than Leonard Williams whom we know about, I think those three are probably my favourite three on this list.

    • Mr Drucker in hooterville

      Frankie Luvu please

  26. samprassultanofswat

    Revisiting history. 2016 trade between the Rams/Titans.
    Rams trade with Tennessee move all the from 15 to 1.
    The terms are as follows: Tennessee gets: Rams’ first-round pick (2016), two second-round picks (2016), a third-round pick (2016), a first-round pick (2017) and another third-round pick (2017).

    Rams get: Titans’ first-overall pick (2016), a fourth-round pick (2016) and a sixth-round pick (2016).

    The price was high(of coarse). I know the Bears are not going trade with Seattle for any price. The Seahawks don’t even have a 2nd pick this year. Let alone 2 second Rd picks. The Bears want Williams. But Lets say the Bears didn’t need a QB. I wonder what the compensation would be to move from 16 to 1. Or even 16 to 2.

  27. Mick

    How expensive should McKinney be? He’s young and he played with Love in NY, and PFF says he has missed just 7.8% of his tackle attempts over his career, which sounds like something we desperately need.

  28. seaspunj

    looking forward to Puck and Jim

    Rob you going to share the TEF gospel to them? The results back testing drafts are pretty solid.

    This season feels optimistic and hopeful. Truly hope Seahawks draft will be heavily in the trenches and drafting 1 QB

    I am curious to see if Michael Pratt is the sneaky QB JS picks since there was in informal visit.

  29. Troy

    End of an error. Man that JA trade stunk from start to finish but at least we can finally put it behind us.

    Finally we are taking needed action to cut dead wait.

    Finally I can look forward to a Seahawks season with hope that we aren’t being hamstrung by a coach that thinks we are “almost there” with atrocious tackling and band aids.

    Finally my hawks fandom is coming back to life. And for that I am grateful.

    Cheers to all the hawks fans and readers of seahawksdraftblog, the new era has truly begun!

    • Troy

      Wait/Weight ugh

      • Big Mike

        I love when someone goes spelling corrector on themselves. Nice Troy.

  30. Troy

    Also a little cap musings for those interested (calling cha with the bat signal)

    Hawks are currently exactly 16th in the league per open cap space https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space, and can easily get into top 10 with mone/bellore cut.

    They do have the highest dead cap currently in the league, but there are a few teams close to them in the high 20s (they are low 30s).

    All this to say, that even with the sloppy contracts handed out, they are in a pretty decent position this year and next to really go after their vision. They can do a little in FA this year and more next year, so that’s exciting as long as they don’t waste it again.

    Also the Seahawks appear very low next year in cap space (compared to league), but can easily rocket that up with cuts to Lockett and Geno, which would put them over 100 mil in free cap. Also other levers, dremont etc.

    • samprassultanofswat

      It makes so much sense to take the cap hit this year(2024) with guys like Diggs/Adams. With a moves they could easily get up to 60+ million in cap space. So as far free agency is concerned. They can do pretty much what they want to.

      Was watching Locked-on-Seahawks. They are talking about a “ton” of safetys available in this free agency year.

      • Troy

        Interesting, makes a ton of sense to pick up a cheap free agent safety and pair them with a draft pick to help support Love.

        I’m gonna guess they sign a safety for less than 5 mil a year.

    • Cysco

      That doesn’t really tell the whole story though. Yes they have $36m in cap space, but you have to take into consideration how many players they have under contract. (which tells you how many players they need to sign with that cap space to fill out a roster)

      Seattle currently only has 46 players under contract. That puts them essentially with the fewest contracted players in the league. Every team with more cap space ahead of us has fewer spots to fill.

      Mone and Belore can create more cap space, but that’s just two more spots to fill. (though I do think they’ll do it)

      This is why I think people are going to be disappointed in free agency. They think we have all this money to spend, when in reality we’re still in a pretty rough spot.

      • Troy

        Ya that’s why I mentioned they can do a little this year but way more next year. A lot more flexibility comes with all the dead money rolling off (although they will most likely incur new dead money from geno/lockett/dremont).

    • cha

      (calling cha with the bat signal)

      You rang?

      The salary cap numbers / team rankings will change significantly in the next few days. The franchise tags will hammer teams’ caps this year and next, as will the massive extensions coming down the road. Goff, Tua, Dak, Trevor, Brian Burns, Jax Josh Allen, Parsons, J’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, etc.

      I’m most interested to see how JS structures the contracts. Just like the trades he makes or doesn’t, the players he drafts or doesn’t, who he cuts or doesn’t, his handling of the cap will give us lots of intel about JS runs the show in the absence of PC.

      • Troy

        The bat signal worked, I am pleased.

        Ya for sure, we will know a lot more about how the cap really looks let’s say a few weeks into free agency. Which is coming up quick!

        I’m also interested in the players they sign and what type of contracts they sign them too, it will be interesting if JS majorly changes up the structure with a new coach compared to Pete era deals

        • cha

          I’d be in favor of a top-heavy approach.

          Buy a couple big names, then surround them with smart cheap options and rookies.

          I’m so done with this “You get $5million! And YOU get $5million! Everybody gets $5million!”

          //3 months into the season “the players we brought in are our weakest link and they’re also blocking our young draft picks. Also, we have no money to go get Premium Player who just popped free, and we will probably have $15million in dead money last year because we just had to have these 3 midrange guys who we just found out couldn’t fit onto our team.”

  31. longtime firsttime

    this is a superior linen household

    • Peter

      Love this comment!!

      • Big Mike

        Ditto. Good stuff LT FT

  32. OldSchoolHawk

    On cutting more players… I’ve observed over the last few years that JS cuts additional players to free cap after they announce FA signings, I.e. pulling RFA Tender from Ryan Neal after signing Julian Love. Mone will obviously be a Medical release, he has not been able to get back from his initial injury in Dec of 2021. He should have been medically released a year ago. My guess is they kept him because it’s very hard to find DTs of his age and performance (prior to the injury) and now with the new staff it’s just a matter of time.

    My sense is that JS and the cap team go into FA and the Draft with various IF-THEN contingency plans… i.e. if we can sign Love at X, then we release Neal. Any cuts and draft scenarios will be driven by who is signed in FA and 2nd and 3rd order effects propagating out of the signing. These also will affect draft planning.

    As fans we get myopic and just want large actions taken all at once. There is a lot more strategy that goes into the building of a team. I would not be surprised to see other cuts come, even of players we are not talking about depending on who they sign in FA. Not that I think it’s likely, but what if the market for DTs is weak, or the WR market resets lower due to the talent in the draft? Holding onto Lockett, Bellore, or other players till late in the FA game, then cutting them can be to an advantage. The market could be reset or dead for their position at that point, giving JS needed leverage to renegotiate before cutting. All these events throughout the waves of FA will determine positional value going into the draft.

    Basically, this is a long post to say, I think both contracts for Lockett and Bellore will be renegotiated based on how FA progresses and if JS can’t come to acceptable terms, they will be cut later in the process.

  33. Jhawk

    well said Oldschool.

  34. Peter

    The only thing I dislike from the cuts yesterday is the comically lazy takes that we should now definitely bring in Geno Stone and Patrick Queen.

    Seahawks fans. Gotta love ’em.

    Feels like paying a safety and a LB to good money with both curiously playing very well in contract years seems suspiciously like the kind of moves that got Seattle into this overall roster mess in the first place.

    Young and cheap at positions that have been downgraded to near running back level. That’s the move until the trenches rule.

    • Ben

      That and- we had to make those “painful” cuts so we can keep all our critical FAs that are leaving.

      The only remotely important FA is Williams.

    • DK

      Remember, most casual fans want to see big splashes and landing the big names in free agency. Also, many in the media make the easy connection to guys that played in Baltimore and them wanting to come play for Mike Macdonald. Well Jesse Minter will run a similar system with the Chargers so I could see Queen and Stone being targets there as well.

      Queen was just about ready to be labeled a bust, but the Raven brought in Roquan Smith and Macdonald was able to get a big season this last season out of him.

      What people should be looking at is how Macdonald was able to scheme Queen into a more productive LB.

      Same with Smith, he was a 7th round pick who turned into a solid coverage safety, but he isn’t known as a great tackler and isn’t great playing in the slot as well.

      If Macdonald truly is the Sean McVay of defense that means he will change up is scheme a bit based on the players he has and things he has seen arounf the league. He was using the players Eric DeCosta and John Harbaugh were drafting and signing. I’m sure he had some input, but now he has a chance to build the defense he wants. Look at the coaches he brought in on the defensive side of the ball, not one came with him from Baltimore. Leslie Frazier is a 4-3 Tampa 2 guy, Aden Durde learned under Raheem Morris and Dan Quinn, both 4-3 guys. He is going to want to mix up offenses by using different looks and personnel.

      • Peter

        All great points. As Rob has touched on and smart fans acknowledge as well its pretty rare that the biggest free agent fish make the splash that fans are hoping for.

        Mike macdonald has shown me that he’s great at coaching different players up.

        I’d be looking more to possibly clowney who wanted to be here then bigger moves.

    • cha

      It’s lazy. Very lazy.

      The whole appeal to most thinking fans is Macdonald can do more with less. He shaped a defense around a couple of very highly paid players with some draft picks and a handful of spare free agent parts.

      The notion of “let’s go get the guy MM shaped into a decent player for a fraction of the cost, but we’ll pay 10-15x the money!” is ludicrous.

      You hire the coach to…what’s the word…coach.

      As this whole article posits, save your powder for someone truly special. Don’t just stack your roster with mid-level guys who are 25% more expensive because they’re first-time free agents.

      • Peter

        I remember about a month ago fans thinking the Ravens would let us have madubuike, queen, and Stone like a wedding present.

        Saw a few comments on different YouTube sites about getting Stone and Hamilton yesterday.

        I don’t begrudge these people I just worry how they get to these places.

        • cha

          It’s the easiest puzzle pieces to fit together.

          Pick up a couple Ravens, and draft a bunch of Huskies and Wolverines and bam, you got yourself a perfect squad. At least for the PR people you do.

          That’s why this board (and Rob specifically) encourage outside-the-box thinking. Because that’s the way NFL approach things.

  35. geoff u

    Let’s just all have a moment of silence for the greatest talking safety tandem in the league.

    • Peter

      I can’t believe we lost the PR arm of the seahawks in a week.

      Diggs and his tireless self promotion.

      Kj “hawk for life errrrr….niner” Wright.

      Strange new world.

      Weird fan sidebar because being a fan makes you think weird thoughts: I get the emotions around the former qb so this is not about him.

      But why are we having Sherman at flag raising ceremomies after he went to the niners and letting KJ talk on air about his thoughts when he’s not a “real,” hawk as he’s set to join the niners coaching staff.

      Not for nothing. But f*** those guys. One of the great things about letting Pete move into an advisory position is hopefully I never have to listen to either of them say another thought about the Seahawks.

      • Big Mike

        We said my friend. It could be suggested that both KJ and Sherm are traitors. I’ll just say they chased the money which is fine, but that said, they can take their Hawks opinion and shove them.

        • Peter

          Money maybe.

          Sure felt then that Sherman was trying to make a point.

          And KJ…if he had wanted to get into coaching sure feels like he missed a pretty obvious opportunity right in front of him.

          • Joe B

            I get that Hawk fans might feel betrayed by KJ going to coach for the Niners, but think about it…. the Niner’s run an exact copy of the Seattle Cover-3, he’s a great candidate for them and KJ would be dumb to not take the opportunity presented to him, he was podcasting post-career, this is a real job with growth potential.

            There was some talk of PC possibly taking the Niner’s DC job since he knows that D in and out. But so does someone like KJ Wright, who played a decade in it. And that would be more of a betrayal if PC went to SF or lobbied for that job….
            OTOH, we don’t know (and I suspect not) if MM is going to play a similar scheme to PC, so how exactly would KJ’s expert knowledge of old regime’s scheme help the Hawks? I doubt he would even get an interview.

            It’s not a betrayal; and if we care for our former players we should root for their success even if they now work for a rival, its just BUSINESS…..

            • Peter

              I don’t care for kj or Sherman.

              And it appears both of them were team pete-hawks vs seahawks.

              Again this is a dopey fan take on my part.

      • PJ in Seattle

        “But why are we having Sherman at flag raising ceremomies after he went to the niners”

        I don’t blame Sherm at all for that. He was coming off a major injury – potentially career-ending for an aging corner. Seahawks let him go test the FA market and SF offered him up an incentive laden contract. He came back to the Seahawks and said “Just match this and I’d love to stay here in Seattle”. Pete and JS said: “Congrats, but we’re going a different direction…”

        Dude has his problems and I hope this latest episode allows him to get those worked out once and for all. But he’s earned his love here and I will never see him as a traitor for seeking continued employment when the Hawks decided they didn’t want him around.

        • Peter

          Eh. I guess. Or he could have gone to any other team in the league. Felt like I said then and still it was very much about him “showing us.”

          I guess if I live in a world where fans don’t want jim Harbaugh as a coach simply because he was the coach of the niners and there’s a ton of bad will for the former qb when John wanted to trade him three years earlier…I don’t have to be that stoked in a former CB who spends as much bandwidth as he can talking about “both” his teams.

          But my main main point remains I’m very excited to hear less and less from these guys now that Pete’s gone.

      • STTBM

        Sherm gave everything he had on field. He earned his surefire HOF cred there, it wasn’t given him.

        It’s laughable to see people angry he went to the Niners after Seattle refused to match the Niners offer. Why should he have taken way less money just to play for a team other than the Niners?!

        I hope Sherm gets help, but he’s still the best DB Seattles had since Kenny Easley, and I listen even if I don’t always agree with him, because he’s smart and he doesn’t mince words.

        KJ isn’t the brightest bulb, and while he was a very good player, his Anti-Semitic comments were awful and dumb. He can go take a running jump, IMO. But I could care less that he took a coaching job with the Niners. He got a better deal, and I didn’t want him around anyway.

  36. Peter

    One more mild gripe. I’m already tired of folks who keep talking about “if grubb really rates so and so player.”

    Do people not know John is the GM? Mike is the HC? And grubb is ‘just’ the OC?

    Obviously you would ask his thoughts. But his job is to make a great offense with the players selected. If he sucks as an OC I wouldn’t want him to make a decision on the qb. But…if he’s great as an OC and we all hope he will be….I also dint want him making decisions in the qb since he’ll be gone in 2-3 years and the qb will still be here.

    It’s probably just the husky thing. It’s definitely not limited to penix talk though.

    • Peter

      Just joking. Another talking point I’m getting tired of.

      Qb at #16…..? A little too soon. But if you trade back a little to mid twenties ( possible 2nd more likely an extra third) that’s a good range.

      If you are taking a qb at say 22-24 why not 16? If they are great what’s the difference? An extra third can be lockett or it can be green, Thompson, type player.

  37. BoiseSeahawk

    Favorite mock result thus far:

    1.16 Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
    3.78 Zak Zinter, IOL, Michigan
    3.81 Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
    4.119 Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
    5.151 Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
    6. 194 Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
    7. 233 Dylan McMahon, IOL, NC State

    • Sea Mode

      Very nice!

    • Jo

      I’d take that all day long and twice on Tuesdays.

  38. Unio

    I would like to offer an analogy from my youth, which may describe the position which in present time, the SeaHawks find themselves :
    “If you have money, but no girlfriend, you can still have a good time. If you have a girlfriend, but no money, you can also have a good time. But, if you have no money, and no girlfriend, what is one to do?”
    A position much like this is where the SeaHawks find themselves, is it not?
    Unless they can bring a solution to this problem, that is, more money, it may be that they will have to be content for the upcoming season, in finding satisfaction with those who are not the prettiest blossoms on the tree. It is good they are acquiring money. Now they need, in the forthcoming draft, to choose wisely.

  39. Gary

    We are fairly critical in this community of the Hawks O line but are we really as far from building our Super Bowl-winning line for 2025-2028 as we think? If we accept that Cross and Lucas are set, that’s two of five positions set (I take Rob’s point that injury might make a move from tackle to guard prudent for Lucas). Brown is not the Center of the Future, but do we know if it could be Olu. The Hawks under Carroll weren’t exactly known for given rookies a fair shake or for holding honest competitions (see Geno vs. Lock. Also, whatever happened to the Always Compete days?) and the job was given to the veteran Brown without knowing whether Olu could be the man.

    So center is a question mark and that leaves the guards. Anthony Bradford was a fourth round pick from LSU, not from Directional State Technical College of Higher Knowledge, just one year ago and will only be 23 years old next month. From what I read on this blog he’s a dominant run blocker who needs improvement as a pass blocker. Do we know what he could be under this coaching staff?

    Which brings me to my main question and reason for writing which is: when did the shine come off of Damien Lewis? I get that it’s decision time because he needs a contract but he was a third round pick also from LSU and is still only 26. I’m not a student of O line play and don’t pay much attention to PFF grades, but if memory serves we were talking about him here not long ago as having left guard locked down for a decade. And while the center of our line does sometimes get caved, most notably by Aaron Donald, to my eye Lewis hasn’t been the weak link.

    I don’t think we’re by any means set on the O line and would be as excited as anyone here for us to draft a stud tackle or guard convert early. I just wonder how many positions we actually need to replace, whether we’re as far off as I frequently see suggested here, and whether Lewis could be a fixture on our Super Bowl-winning line?

    • Unio

      I believe your assessment is the correct one. Offensive line is close to being very good. Olu was an explosive tester and won recognition in college at his position. He needs to play to grow if he is to become the voice for calling reads and adjustments on the front lines. As you point out, PC did not play rookies oftentimes, and thus stunted their development, and spawned disappointments amongst the younger element. Would it not be best for the team and the future if the SeaHawks could be very, very good, perhaps Top 5, on at least one side of the ball? On the offense there are weapons; it is where we are closest to making this a reality.

    • Big Mike

      whatever happened to the Always Compete days?

      I’m going to give an opinion here that may not be popular with some and I don’t mention that play very often but I believe that “always compete” died when Bevell called the penultimate play in 49. I believe that because Carroll didn’t hold him accountable for throwing into the teeth of the defense to a 5th string WR by insisting Bevell “resign”, guys on the team realized that the mantra only applied to certain positions/players. Russ garnering special treatment added to that tho it could be argued other players should’ve realized the QB is treated differently (Bill Parcells: “I don’t treat everyone the same but I do treat everyone fairly”). If Bev had been held accountable, that might have been more easily tolerated by the other players.

      Fortunately the franchise has a new beginning now. I am as excited for Hawks football as I’ve been in a very long time. It’s new and fresh.

      • Big Mike

        I might add the Geno thing was pure ego. He won the power struggle with Russ but that wasn’t enough. By taking a career backup in Geno and “winning” with him, he was proving that he and his system were the reason for the success of the team during Wilson’s time in Seattle, not Russ himself. Of course it was the both of them that contributed to that success, but obviously neither would admit to that to themselves or anyone else in the end. Sad and childish.

        • Gary

          I could not agree more with this comment Big Mike. Spot on!

        • cha

          The way they played up the Denver-Seattle MNF game was really ick to me.

          They had every single “Seattle Seahawks legend” they could find flying in for the game. Every single commercial break or timeout they had a camera on one of them waving to the crowd, along with a highlight clip.

          The fans were giving Russ everything they had and Pete was just reveling in it.

          That flat game against SF the following week – in which Pete admitted the team was not ready after beating Russ, I mean Denver, was brutal.

      • STTBM

        Thing is, Carrol told Bevell to “throw it”. And Lockettes useless ass was on field because he was Carrols Boy, not because his skinny 1 catch per game butt was anyone’s idea of the guy to run a slant route as the only hot route on a play.

        Bevell was to blame for going with a play they’d run before in similar circumstances, but Lockette and the Pass call were Carrols fault.

        To say nothing of a defense that gave up a 10 point 4th quarter lead.

    • Peter

      Re: gross ma toast.

      A mediocre DT to oline convert.

      Pocic a center to play any position but center.

      The justin Britt can play any position on the line but none of them well.

      George “I literally am playing football because otherwise I’ll be playing basketball in poland,” fant. A chunky TE with no oline experience. Damian “finally we have a good rookie olinemen,” Lewis where we switch him to LG so he’s worse and then sign a worse RG for no reason.

      You ever see the meme where Americans will use anything to measure with but the metric system?

      That’s how I feel about Seattle’s oline.

      Hopefully lucas is healthy and Bradford gets his reps. If olu is solid the whole dang line could be better with almost no work.

  40. Ian Heathrow

    Every day I wake up and look at mock drafts and am reminded that Seattle do not have a 2nd round pick. And I get angry all over again!!!! This team should never be trading away draft capital!!!! It is going to be absolutely gutting watching the Giants select a potential pro bowl player with the pick that John Schneider recklessly threw away!!!! I can’t imagine how much this must eat at Rob.

    PS – MORE CUTS!!!!

    • Big Mike

      the pick that John Schneider recklessly threw away!!!!

      We don’t know if it was John that wanted this trade or Pete or both. Let’s see how John handles free agency and draft choices and drafting now that he’s in charge. I a couple of years we’ll have an idea.

  41. HawksFanMattMan

    With as much as Pete kept defending Adams and basically ignored his off-field issues, I’m fairly certain that was a trade spurred on mostly by Carroll.

    I know Schneider has certainly had his fair share of big trade and free agency whiffs, but to be fair, he’s also made a lot of very savvy moves over the years.

    I just hope he learns from his and Pete’s mistakes and makes the best choices moving forward.

  42. jonnie

    JJ Mccarthy reminds me of Sam Darnold.

    • Rob Staton

      Don’t see that comparison personally at all

      • Ian Heathrow

        Similar faces and personality.

        • Picklematrix

          Both have punchable faces. Both look like they would play the quarterback in a Disney movie about a team from the suburbs that “got soul” when a black player transferred in. Both look like they’d slip something in your drink at a frat party.

          Both played for legacy programs. Both gor stupid draft hype incommensurate with their infield play because of that (although darnold at least had some good production).

          I can see the superficial comparison.

          • Picklematrix

            Doh. Both GOT stupid draft hype incommensurate with their ONfield play

          • MountainHawker

            The undertones in this comment are disturbing.

    • cha

      I know this may explode some heads from the irony, but I see a lot of Jim Harbaugh (the NFL QB who played for the Colts, Bears, and Chargers in the 90’s). Anyone remember him?

      Not above the team as a pretty-boy QB, a heart-and-soul ‘ok what do i need to do to win on this play?’ kind of QB. Creating opportunities through sheer will.

      In 1995, he was #4 in MVP voting with

      63.7% comp, 2557 yards, 8.2 yards per attempt, 17 TD, 5 INT and a 100.7 QB rating. Picked up 16 first downs and 2 TDs on scrambles.

      No glamour stats, needs to be supported by a good running game, but his teammates will run through a wall for him.

      The biggest difference is Harbaugh’s best throws were deeper sideline passes. McCarthy is more a precision passer type.

      • ShowMeYourHawk

        “Captain Comeback”. Harbaugh was the ideal “game manager” as an NFL QB. A real “lunchbox and hard hat” type of player that you don’t see much on offense anymore.

        That said, his prickly personality and predilection towards being a whiny brat was apparent, even then.

  43. Happy Hawk

    As this article so clearly states the elephant in the room is our future QB. I wonder how this decision gets made? It seems like Grubb knows Penix Jr and J Harbough/MM know JJ McCarthy and I would suspect from JS liking Josh Allen and Mahomes that D Maye may appeal to him. Is there a specific target now or is the plan to wait and see what drops into the #10 – #16 range and go after the one or stick & pick? Fascinating to ponder. Thanks again Rob – thought provoking piece. Big Off season for the Hawks.

    • Gritty Hawk

      We still have 7 weeks until the draft! So much more will come out of pro days, workouts, visits, interviews, and the random stories about players doing illegal things that always seem to pop up in April. Not to mention we still have cuts, trades, and free agents to sort through. It’s tough to be patient but it will be a while before we have a clear idea of what will happen.

    • Troy

      Given all the “inside knowledge” on this class of QBs, it would be REALLY surprising if JS didn’t take one. Then again I thought that last year.

      But with JS 2 in 14 years comments I would put $10,000 that they draft at least one QB in the next 2 drafts. Just feels inevitable.

      I’m like 95% sure they do it this year, round 3 or above but of course things might not fall their way (4 qbs get taken above them for example).

      • geoff u

        Depends on what that “inside knowledge” is telling them…

  44. Film12Hawk

    A lot of mock drafts have J.J. McCarthy leaping Drake Maye today. One even had him falling to the Vikings at #11. I say trade up to #5 and get him. I don’t think he gets pass the Giants at #6. Joe Schoen was with the Bills when they drafted Josh Allen.

    I’m really warming up to Drake Maye and am finding of the top tier Jayden Daniels is probably the one I’d be most concerned about drafting.

    • Roy Batty

      If the Giants and Hawks are targeting the same QB, I don’t see how Seattle can outbid them. They’ll get wind of the trade offer and best it. Then the team they’re trading with can turn around and trade that #6, again.

      • Film12Hawk

        It’s a fair point. The wildcard is really what will the Cardinals do. Do they go all in on Marvin Harrison Jr. or do they trade down and try their hands at someone like Rome at #6 after trading with the Giants? Making it four QBs in a row.

        I’d like to think with naive optimism we could strike a deal with the Chargers as we do have the connections with Jim Harbaugh with the coaches now.

  45. Thomas

    Is there anything to this Mac Jones to Seattle stuff?

    • Palatypus

      Yes. And Sam Monson is going to be our new right tackle.

    • BK26

      I think that John Schneider would rather bring Russ back….

    • Gritty Hawk

      I would take Mac Jones, but only for a 7th rounder and then only if overnight he magically became the exact opposite of the player is now.

  46. Brodie

    Denver Hawker – what news from the Rocky mountains?

    I have a buddy who moved out there a couple of years ago who is telling me that the two QB’s being talked about are JJ and Bo Nix. Further that the perceived best-case-scenario is a trade down with GB to #25 & #41, to take a combo of Nix and BPA.

    Broncos don’t have a 2nd rounder either, so they could be eyeing the same trade partners we are, but with a more valuable pick.

    • BK26

      I would put money on one of them becoming a Bronco.

      McCarthy does what he is told, Nix can run an offense as he is told.

    • Denver Hawker

      Yeah it was mostly Nix talk last couple months and now JJ which makes sense. Payton will want to trade up and Paton (GM) will want to trade down. Question that lingers is how much authority do either have at this point. If you held a gun to my head I’d say Payton makes the final call and makes a move up. Walton/Penner ownership group is apparently very biz savvy and holds both coach and GM tight to the fire. They are also one of the wealthiest NfL owner groups and working on a new stadium/fan experience and eager to get the team back to success to aid in that effort.

  47. Paul

    As I recall, years ago you were making the argument to hire Sean Payton and let him work with Russ. My strong preference was to trade Russ and stick with Pete/John. In the fullness of time, it’s clear we were both wrong. We should have traded Russ AND fired Pete. Maybe John, too.

    Folks want to blame Carroll for all the poor personnel decisions of late. But most of Schneider’s big trades and contracts have been – as you like to say – a dog’s dinner. Time will tell about the last two drafts. We had our and Denver’s high picks, while Rams had none — yet they may have out-drafted us.

    Trying to win while resetting was a mistake. Now we are going to spend most of our bag for Brooks and Williams who couldn’t get us to the playoffs last year? I don’t know, man. I would be wary of spending next year’s cap money. We may be behind the 8 ball for a spell.

    • Peter

      As long as they paint over the “always compete, ” sign with a “never trade higher than a 4th,” I’ll be good going forward.

    • Rob Staton

      To be fair, I just wanted change. As you can see from the post Wilson trade stream and article I wrote. I was very open to Payton & Russ. I’m intrigued to see how Payton does with his own hand picked QB in Denver. But I appreciate he’s also come across as an unlikely douche in Denver so far. I was also very open to Carroll doing what I still think he should’ve done — become a figurehead and getting the best staff and coordinators money can buy instead of doubling down on his guys all the time.

      I was never in favour of parting with Schneider and stand by that. I’m intrigued to see what he does as main decision maker. Initial signs are positive IMO

      • Paul

        Yes, we needed a LOT more change in retrospect. You were never overly critical of John and I wasn’t in favor of parting with him either. Just don’t want him spending next year’s money. He may need it after we get our poop pushed in next season by the Rams and Niners.

        We ended up paying an above average safety 40M. A 27M contract for a blocking tight end, 70M for a box safety. 53M for Dre’Mont and a 2nd for Williams. Yes, he had a steal in Woolen (although dude may not be able to tackle). In the last two years, it could be that he drafted a bunch of decent players, plus Witherspoon.

        I just think he has a lot to prove – and I’m absolutely rooting for him!

    • BK26

      I would maybe wait until they resign Brooks or Williams before talking about them resigning them as bad moves.

  48. cha

    Seahawks just cut Bryan Mone.

    $41.5m of room now

    • Palatypus

      During Rob’s interview on KJR.

      • Big Mike

        Yep. I was a multi-tasker, reading here and listening at the same time.

    • Yikes - Cut Adams Now

      cha, you might know more about this. I read yesterday that Adams may be owed an injury settlement if he can’t pass a physical. Do you know how much that could be, and if injury settlements count against the cap?

  49. Blitzy the Clown

    Seattle releases Bryan Mone

    Seattle Seahawks @Seahawks

    Thank you, Bryan.

    📰: http://shwks.com/jdtut1us

    12:20 PM · Mar 6, 2024

  50. Big Mike

    Maybe Mone didn’t need an injury settlement based on the number cha just mentioned. (shrug)

    • cha

      They’ll just bake about $1.2m into their fall rainy day fund to cover the veteran injury benefit he’s likely to receive.

      • Big Mike

        Gotcha. Thanks man.

        • Palatypus

          The rainy day lasts from Labor Day to June 1st.

          • Roy Batty

            Pre climate change it used to last til July 4th.

            I still remember sitting on my girlfriend’s balcony off of Dexter a couple decades ago, waiting until the fireworks started on Lake Union.

            I froze my ass off that year.

            • Big Mike

              Oh yeah, I stood in the rain at Gasworks a couple of times watching fireworks in the 80s when I lived in Seattle.
              The good thing about climate change is my motorcycling season starts earlier now. The down side is there’s now a fire season. i grew up in the NW and there never used to be a fire season. Not saying there weren’t forest fires cuz there were, but it was nothing like it is now.

  51. Ian Heathrow

    Yes!!!! See ya, later Mone! No more worthless overpaid Pete players! Tactical excellence only. Time to get ruthless.

    Bellore, you are next!

    • Jordan

      An undrafted borderline NFL player just lost his job; have some decorum.

      It’s a game.

    • STTBM

      Mone was an ascending player who had a massive, likely career ending injury on field. He was kept on the roster because otherwise they’d owe him for more than one years salary, if he was cut before he could pass a physical.

      They did their contractual obligation, now the team backs out of a contract they know the player can’t live up to, post-injury. It’s business.

      He wasn’t on the team last year as some kind of manipulative gesture by Carrol.

      And he earned his injury year paycheck. That’s why one-sided NFL contracts have injury guarantees. Mone also worked his way up from nothing, so I find your joy at his unemployment rather disgusting and classless.

      I wish Mone the best, and I’m sorry for his injury. Seattle had to move on, but I personally take no joy in it.

  52. Burner

    Is DK getting extended? Official twitter account hinting at it.

    • AlexHawk

      Definitely looks like something is happening with DK! Of the players on the roster he probably makes the most sense to extend.

      • Big Mike

        Assume this would be to create more cap space?
        If so, we may well be looking at a very large roster turnover.

      • Roy Batty

        Cap hit is $24.5 mil this year and about $30 mil next year. His dead cap in 2025 goes way down to $11.5 mil. They have plenty of room to push guarantees out a couple more seasons, easily with an extension.

        Or Mike Salk got his way and he’s traded 😂

    • Ruthless pass

      Now it’s radio silence

  53. BrandoK

    With all of these cuts happening is it logical to think there will be something similar to the heavy amount of turnover/transactions that occurred during the beginning of the PC/JS tenure? Big turnover of the roster?

  54. nfendall

    Seahawks Twitter ( I can’t get myself to call it the letter) is getting more insufferable by the day and is just like politics with the “if you don’t share the same opinion as me, you’re wrong” mentality.

    It doesn’t help when journalists who should be objective help fuel the fire.

    • Big Mike

      Those aren’t “journalists”. They’re mouthpieces for the team/Pete/etc.

    • Ian Heathrow

      This is why this site is the superior place to speak Seattle football!! No dumb group think or hive minds! The superior tactical nuance that is missing elsewhere. Only the best for forward thinking, free from Pete and Geno fanatics who can not see the error of their ways. Thank heaven for SBD! Time to get TQBOTF!!!

  55. Julian

    Is Chop Robinson considered a better prospect than Odafe (Jayson) Oweh was coming out of Penn State? Oweh’s testing numbers were completely nuts, better than Chop Robinson’s and he has more length? He also went at #29?

  56. Ruthless Pass

    Way off subject…Bills made some tough decisions today

    • Big Mike

      That’s some serious hacking

  57. HOUSE

    I keep seeing rumbles that we are “heavily tied to the Patriots” regarding a Mac Jones trade. Anyone else seeing the same stuff?

    • BK26

      Fluff/forced pieces.

      Mac Jones is the anti-John Schneider qb. Or just the anti-NFL qb.

      • Roy Batty

        Weak arm. Check.

        Not accurate. Check.

        Poor leadership. Check.

        Alabama QB. Check.

        Yup, a lesser Sam Darnold.

        • BK26

          Dirty player: check.

          (after all of those weird cheap shots he takes on guys, idk if you can get teammates to want him, let alone play will him).

          • Roy Batty

            When they drafted him, I, honestly thought it was a joke. Then I logged on and saw that, sure enough, they did it.

    • Rob Staton

      Who on earth is claiming that?

      Name and shame

      • Ruthless pass

        Heavy and NESN.com. Two heavy hitters

        • Roy Batty

          Are those the same sites that said if you go down to Taco Bell and took all your clothes off you get a free chalupa? Cuz I went down there and didn’t get a free chalupa.

        • Rob Staton

          Apparently it’s Greg Bedard chucking it out there

          I think it’s nailed on Mac Jones ends up in San Fran. Maybe we’re just trying to prevent that happening. Because otherwise, what a waste of time it’d be. Draft a bloody QB

        • HOUSE

          Those are the sources people keep bringing up. I have friends messaging me and laughing that Seattle could have ties to Mac Jones.

          In no way am I excited by this, but I’ve had Patriot fans and Alabama alum reaching out all day asking if I knew this was legit or not.

          Just saw Bleacher Report saw we could be a place for him to “resurrect his 1st rd QB status”. 🤣🤣🤣

        • Ian Heathrow

          Heavy.com is nothing but a rumor aggregator who pays a lot for Google SEO. Ignore.

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