The Seattle Seahawks announced the release of DE Carlos Dunlap Monday to gain salary cap dollars. The release of the team’s best edge rusher in 2020 will net the team $14 million in cap space and bring the total amount to $18 million according to overthecap.com The move could be a brilliant gamble if Dunlap re-signs after testing the free agency market. The gamble is great and the stakes are for both sides. The ” it’s not goodbye, just see you later, ” move could backfire on the Seahawks if Dunlap is whisked away by a salary cap-rich team.
MARKED IMPROVEMENT
The Seahawks acquired Dunlap in midseason from the Cincinnati Bengals and the 11- year veteran showed his gratitude by registering 5.0 sacks, six tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits in just eight games. The acquisition of Dunlap had a direct impact on the Seahawk’s second-half defensive resurgence. Dunlap sacked the Washington Football team quarterback Dwayne Haskins on the last play of the game to seal the Seahawks victory last December.
FRIENDLY HIGH STAGES GAMBLE
When he agreed to sign with the Seahawks Dunlap knew there was a chance the team would let him test the free agency market if no deal was struck before seasons end. No one knows if the two sides ever held active negotiations during the season. The gamble makes sense for the Seahawks. The salary cap gain plus the savings of a $3 million bonus they keep by waiving Dunlap before March 21. By performing the last half of the season with the Seahawks the 32-year old Dunlap showed that he can still play for another season or two. With no guaranteed money it’s a wise move for Dunlap to kick some tires and see what’s out there. If nothing tickles his fancy in free agency Dunlap can always call the Seahawks and have a chat.
SEAHAWKS NEXT MOVE
Without Dunlap, the Seahawks defensive front line consists of DE L.J Collier, DT Jarran Reed, and NT Poona Ford. Reed started 11 games and finished the season with 6.5 sacks which were second on the team to Jamal Adams 9.5. The Seahawks have another difficult choice regarding Benson Mayoma. The 29-year-old Mayoma finished third on the team with 6.0 sacks and started the first six games before giving way to Dunlap. Collier rebounded from a disappointing rookie season and started all 16 games last season and recorded 16 solo tackles, seven quarterback hits, and three sacks. Rasham Green ( two), Alton Robinson ( four), and Darrell Taylor are the team’s other signed DT. Taylor did not play in his rookie year suffering a leg injury in college and was placed on injured reserve just before the season began. The second-round pick from Tennessee is expected to make an impact this season.
Base Salary Cap: $180,500,000
| Team | Cap Space | Effective Cap Space ℹ️ | # | Active Cap Spending | Dead Money |
| Jaguars | $84,643,714 | $84,643,714 | 62 | $118,388,344 | $4,208,098 |
| Jets | $67,341,082 | $67,341,082 | 58 | $124,996,322 | $16,260,410 |
| Patriots | $66,520,056 | $66,520,056 | 62 | $136,427,431 | $865,060 |
| Colts | $44,681,614 | $44,681,614 | 65 | $144,116,640 | $237,143 |
| Bengals | $40,979,130 | $40,979,130 | 51 | $149,795,718 | $2,363,427 |
| Washington | $36,954,822 | $36,954,822 | 67 | $147,320,002 | $13,464,097 |
| Broncos | $30,690,841 | $30,690,841 | 57 | $167,516,357 | $602,118 |
| Chargers | $25,329,474 | $23,349,474 | 48 | $164,343,044 | $58,009 |
| 49ers | $23,509,627 | $23,509,627 | 61 | $160,288,324 | $9,965,071 |
| Dolphins | $22,198,936 | $22,198,936 | 62 | $172,494,825 | $490,085 |
| Browns | $20,646,244 | $20,646,244 | 64 | $188,754,845 | $508,602 |
| Seahawks | $18,612,987 | $15,972,987 | 47 | $162,008,829 | $1,309,419 |
| Ravens | $18,234,390 | $18,234,390 | 57 | $151,015,938 | $11,797,111 |
| Texans | $16,776,484 | $16,776,484 | 51 | $172,676,232 | $3,016,043 |
| Panthers | $15,694,011 | $15,694,011 | 58 | $146,151,072 | $22,672,549 |
| Cardinals | $12,588,869 | $12,588,869 | 57 | $172,811,269 | $4,640,839 |
| Buccaneers | $11,983,733 | $8,023,733 | 45 | $165,870,780 | $2,196,595 |
| Giants | $7,284,994 | $7,284,994 | 64 | $168,366,820 | $7,842,041 |
| Titans | $4,697,139 | $4,697,139 | 55 | $178,126,238 | $5,722,320 |
| Steelers | $3,617,086 | $3,617,086 | 53 | $172,268,010 | $9,565,459 |
| Raiders | $3,267,434 | $3,267,434 | 56 | $182,738,875 | $2,220,765 |
| Bills | $1,902,153 | $1,902,153 | 54 | $182,408,650 | $2,066,156 |
| Cowboys | ($1,165,727) | ($1,165,727) | 62 | $200,046,200 | $9,082,046 |
| Vikings | ($3,559,416) | ($3,559,416) | 55 | $183,976,201 | $4,857,314 |
| Lions | ($4,736,135) | ($4,736,135) | 54 | $178,015,771 | $22,447,791 |
| Bears | ($6,989,053) | ($6,989,053) | 51 | $190,038,138 | $5,083,757 |
| Packers | ($11,426,181) | ($11,426,181) | 61 | $191,497,057 | $4,103,142 |
| Falcons | ($19,561,587) | ($27,481,587) | 39 | $191,004,376 | $11,560,119 |
| Chiefs | ($22,834,019) | ($22,834,019) | 57 | $206,573,603 | $2,693,526 |
| Eagles | ($34,146,468) | ($34,146,468) | 69 | $199,134,046 | $40,011,197 |
| Rams | ($35,136,331) | ($35,136,331) | 64 | $186,110,373 | $34,125,099 |
| Saints | ($48,882,146) | ($48,882,146) | 57 | $226,332,363 | $6,040,287 |
