The Seahawk’s linebacker unit has begun to take form. Saturday afternoon the Seahawks signed former Dolphin’s linebacker Jerome Baker to a one-year 7 million dollar contract. The signing of Baker comes two days after the signing of Buffalo linebacker Tyrel Dodson. Baker and Dodson look to replace Bobby Wagner, Devin Bush, and Jordyn Brooks. Oddly enough Brooks and Baker were unwanted by their previous teams and subsequently ended up swapping teams.
IS GOING YOUNGER BETTER?
The acquisition of Dodson and Baker makes the team younger in the middle of the field. Baker is 27 years old and Dodson is 25. Wagner was 33 and Brooks 26. More importantly, Dodson and Baker came at a cheaper price. Which gives the Seahawks a lot of salary cap flexibility. Whether cheaper and younger will be better remains to be seen. Baker spent the last years with the Dolphins after being drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft.
The former Buckeye started 12 games for the Dolphins last year and recorded two interceptions, 1.5 sacks, and 78 tackles ( 51 solos). In 2022 Baker started all 17 games for the Dolphins. The 6’2 225 Baker excels at stopping the run and has above-average coverage skills. Baker’s departure from the Dolphins was about money. The club and Baker failed to agree on a contract resture that would have minimized the team’s salary cap hit for 2024.
WHAT IT MEANS?
Look for the Seahawks to use on their draft picks on a linebacker. Dodson and Baker have been given the opportunity to anchor Mike Macdonald’s defense and become legitimate stars in the league. We will know sooner than later if they can maximize their opportunity.
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