Seahawks re-sign Chris Carson to end fruitful free agency week.

UPGRADE TO OFFENSIVE LINE

The Seahawks trade for right guard  Gave Jackson from the Las Vegas Raiders shut down the Russell Wilson rumors and greatly improved the right side of the line. The Seahawks sent  the Raiders their fifth-round pick in this years draft. Mike Lupati started the majority of the games last season but was long on the tooth and his 11 seasons in the NFL were taking a toll on his health. Jackson was drafted in the third-round  by the Raiders in 2014 as a left guard. After two years Jackson switched to right guard in 2016 and signed a five year contract extension in 2017. The $55million contract extension saw Jackson with a base salary of $9.35  million in 2020 and $9,37 million in 2021.

WHY IT MAKES SENSE

Jackson is a proven effective and efficient pass blocker who understand zone blocking techniques which the Seahawks like to run a lot of. The dependable Jackson is a significant upgrade from Lupati in terms of consistency week in week out.

RETURN OF ETHAN POCIC

The Seahawks have reportedly brought back Ethan Pocic for another year.  According to Ian Rapoport Pocic has agreed to a one-year $3 million deal.  Another no-brainer with Pocic having started  14 games last year and surprised the Seahawks with his leadership and line reads from the center position.  The Seahawks tendered Kyle Fuller as a restricted free agent and should match any decent offer  Fuller might receive from another team.

DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS

After losing Shaquill Griffin the Seahawks extended Poona Ford’s contract and signed cornerback  Ahkello Witherspoon. How impactful Griffin’s departure will be felt will depend on Tre Flowers or Witherspoon’s ability to be consistent week in and week out. The Seahawks also re-signed special teams standout Nick Bellore. One of that quiet but important moves.

BIG TAKE AWAY

The Seahawks made the moves they needed to make so far. The moves all make sense and should keep the Seahawks in the race for the NFC West. As for the NFC Division and SuperBowl General Manager John Schneider and Pete Carroll will need to be creative to bring back Carlos Dunlap, KJ Wright, and some depth at wide receiver, cornerback, and defensive back. There is plenty of time left the draft is around the corner. The Seahawks treaded water in the first week and that’s not all bad if you are defending division champions.