The Seattle Seahawks have some decisions to make this offseason.
Seattle is coming off a surprising 2018 season in which the Seahawks finished 10-6 and made the playoffs, when everyone expected Seattle to take a step backwards this season following last offseason’s mass exodus of defensive stars. But now the Seahawks have to figure out what they’re going to do with personnel and the salary cap.
The biggest question this offseason surrounds quarterback Russell Wilson, who is a year away from becoming an unrestricted free agent. Wilson is in line for an extension worth in the range of $30 million a season, and that will be a substantial drain on the cap. But while Wilson is the biggest question, he’s not the most immediate question.
Seattle has 14 players who become unrestricted free agents when the new league season begins March 13. Here’s the list, along with their 2018 salary cap number according to SpoTrac.com:
| Name | Position | Age | 2018 Cap Number |
| Earl Thomas | FS | 30 | $10,400,000 |
| K.J. Wright | OLB | 30 | $8,200,000 |
| Justin Coleman | CB | 26 | $2,914,000 |
| Shamar Stephen | DT | 28 | $2,581,250 |
| Neiko Thorpe | CB | 29 | $2,087,500 |
| Sebastian Janikowski | K | 41 | $2,015,000 |
| J.R. Sweezy | LG | 30 | $1,975,000 |
| Dion Jordan | DE | 29 | $1,907,000 |
| D.J. Fluker | RG | 28 | $1,406,250 |
| Mike Davis | RB | 26 | $1,337,500 |
| Frank Clark | DE | 26 | $1,187,526 |
| Brett Hundley | QB | 26 | $705,000 |
| Maurice Alexander | SS | 28 | $481,765 |
| Mychal Kendricks | OLB | 29 | $325,293 |
There are some important free agents the Seahawks either have to figure out how to re-sign or decide whether to bring back.
Clark had a breakout season with 14 sacks and is now one of the better pass rushers in the NFL. However, he’s going to warrant a huge pay increase, probably by a factor of 10.
Wright has been the definition of a good soldier, giving Seattle eight high-quality seasons and never uttering a peep about his contract. But he’s now 30 and he had injuries this season, so the Seahawks have to ask themselves whether it’s worth the risk offering Wright a long-term deal.
Fluker and Sweezy were both brought in last offseason as veteran stopgap measures, but both ended up being far more important to Seattle’s improved offensive line than expected. Does Seattle bring one or both back, knowing both will be looking for significant raises?
And while is sure seems like all bridges have been burned with Thomas, who knows what’s going to happen in the market?
Seattle will be able to bring some of these players back, but not all of them.
So who is the most important unrestricted free agent for the Seahawks to re-sign? Have your say here, and if you choose “other,” let us know who in the comments section:
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