Here’s the sixth part of my seven-part series looking at where the Seahawks stand heading into the offseason, position by position. Salary numbers for 2016 are courtesy of OverTheCap.com. Players signed to futures contracts are not included. Unrestricted free agents can sign with any team. Restricted free agents can either have offers matched by Seattle, or the Seahawks receive compensation. Exclusive rights free agents are under team control unless not offered a contract.
CORNERBACK
Under contract
Richard Sherman ($14,768,000)
Tharold Simon ($726,725)
Tye Smith ($566,563)
Unrestricted free agent
Jeremy Lane
Exclusive rights free agents
Marcus Burley
DeShawn Shead
Mohammed Seisay
The skinny: The Seahawks would love to re-sign Lane, but as both Brandon Browner and Byron Maxwell showed in the past, the player who plays opposite Richard Sherman has a good chance of landing a big pay day, and the Seahawks could get priced out.
It’s a no-brainer re-signing Shead, who not only showed he can be a passable starting corner, but has the versatility of also being able to play safety, plus he’s also a standout on special teams. Shead could be the simple answer to filling the right-side corner position. Simon, who missed the season because of injury, but has physical tools, is also in the mix. Burley showed an ability to play the nickel.
There’s a good chance the Seahawks can cover this position internally, especially if they’re able to bring back Lane.
SAFETY
Under contract
Earl Thomas ($9,900,000)
Kam Chancellor ($6,100,000)
Kelcie McCray ($725,000)
Exclusive rights free agent
Steven Terrell
The skinny: The Seahawks have to make a decision about Chancellor.
Chancellor was dissatisfied enough with his contract that he held out all of training camp and preseason, as well as the first two games of the regular season. Chancellor eventually returned to the fold, but he did so without the team making any concessions. Chancellor wants his contract redone, but he has two years remaining, and the Seahawks are steadfast about not renegotiating contracts until there’s just one year left. This situation is going to come to a head again this offseason unless one side budges.
A big part of Chancellor’s objections is that there is no guaranteed money over the final two years of his contract, so the Seahawks have the option of cutting him without suffering much in the way of consequences. Chancellor is 27 and was just named to his fourth Pro Bowl, but he’s thought to be an old 27 given the physical nature of his play and the surgeries he’s undergone in the past. What the Seahawks decide to do with Chancellor will be one of the biggest stories of the offseason.
McCray played well filling in for Chancellor late in the season, so he’s a potential option. But if Seattle and Chancellor can find a solution that satisfies both parties, the Seahawks will be in good shape at safety.
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