By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

After losing  Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett, and DK Metcalf, the Seahawks  re-sign Jarran Reed and Ernest Jones IV

The official legal tampering period for the NFL  official begins  March 10th  1:00 p.m. PT  and ends on  March 12th  1 p.m. PT. March 12th is also the start of the league’s 2025 fiscal year.  The direction and future of the team on the offensive side of the ball is clearly to be determined.   For the 12, the direction of the defensive side of the ball is a little bit clearer.  In less than one week, the Seahawks have slammed their dominoes on the table and decided it’s time to gamble.

HARD TO SAY GOODBYE

The first domino to fall for the Seahawks was the release of Tyler Lockett, one of the club’s beloved players.  The team announced last Wednesday that  Lockett was being released after 10 years with the team.  From the team’s perspective, it was about business and not personal. Lockett had one year left on his contract with a base salary of $10 million and  potentially another $7 million in bonuses. So from the number crunching perspective, the team saves $17 million in salary cap savings and avoids taking a $ 30.895 cap hit in 2025.

HOW CAN  IT BE NOT  PERSONAL?

That is some nifty bean counting—except we are not dealing with beans here. The news that  Lockett was released is not a big surprise. Before the Seahawks ‘ last game against the Rams, Lockett knew being released by the team was a possibility. Lockett also indicated he was not ready to retire.

Lockett was and will be a team legend on and off the field.  On the field, he ranks second in team history behind  Hall Famer Steve  Largent in receptions (661), receiving yards  ( 8,594 and receiving touchdowns (61). He is a three-time winner of the Steve  Largent  Award. The award is voted on by the players and given to a player or coach who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication, and integrity of the Seahawks.  Lockett was also active in the community and was a champion for change and equality.

DOMINOS  CONTINUE TO FALL

Minutes after Lockett was released and before Seahawks fans could even dry their eyes, DK  Metcalf requested a trade.  During his weekly Thursday show, Seahawks General Manager John Schneider said the team was talking to a ton of teams.  Seems that when Schneider was speaking to those teams, the topic was not restricted to Metcalf.

REUNITED ONCE MORE

On Friday afternoon, the Seahawks traded quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2025 third-round pick, 92 overall. Smith had one year left on his contract, and the trade is a clear indicator that the Seahawks and Smith’s representatives could not agree on a path to move forward together.  Depending on who you believe, the Seahawks offered  Smith anywhere from $35 million to $45 million over two years.

What is known is that Smith turned down the Seahawks’ offer, and the team decided to move him.  The Raiders make sense. Smith will be reunited with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.  The Raiders will be taking on all of Smith’s 2024 salary, which is $31 million. While they save $31 million in salary cap and cash, the Seahawks will take a dead cap hit of $13.5 million.  With Smith gone, Schneider continued seeking a trade for Metcalf.


NOTHING PERSONAL JUST BUSINESS

On Sunday night, the team shipped DK Metcalf to the Pittsburg Steelers for a 2025 second-round pick, 52 overall.  The teams are reported to be swapping picks in the sixth and seventh rounds

Metcalf essentially flipped the script on the Seahawks when you compare his situation to that of Lockett. Nothing personal; it’s just a business decision.  The NFL Network is reporting that the Steelers have signed Metcalf to a new contract.  A four-year deal worth $132 million will keep him  in Pittsburgh through the 2029 season. Metcalf had one year left with the Seahawks, who were going to pay him $18 million. The sum will be tacked on to his new contract.

DEFENSE  TAKING SHAPE

As bad as the news was on the offensive side of the ball, it was just as good on the defensive side. The team re-signed it’s top two defensive targets  Sunday night. A source confirmed to Cascadiasports.net that  Ernest Jones had agreed to a three-year deal worth  $33 million with $15 million guaranteed.  After a somewhat nomadic start Jones has found a home.  Jones was drafted by the LA Rams in the third round in 2021. Started Super Bowl LVI as a rookie and recorded two straight seasons of 100-plus tackles. He was traded last summer to the Tennesse Titans, and he packed his bags once more and headed to Seattle in an October trade .

STOUT RUN DEFENDER.

Jones became the anchor of the Seahawks ‘ much-improved run defense alongside Tyrice Knight, who became a starter after the team cut Tyrel Dodson.  In 10 games with the Hawks, Jones had 94 tackles , an interception, a forced fumble, and two pass breakups.

VETERAN LEADERSHIP AND PRESENCE

The re-signing of  Reed was just as important.   The 32-year-old Reed was a stabilizing force on and off the field. Reed was drafted in the second round, 49th overall, by the Seahawks in 2016. He stayed with the team from 2016 till 2020, spent 2021 with the Chiefs, 2022 with the Packers, and will be back with the Seahawks in 2023. Last season Reed started eight games recorded 45 tackles, 4.5 sacks and had  15 quarterback hits. He is reported to have signed a three-year contract worth up to $22 million, with  $8 million guaranteed.

WAR CHEST

According to  OVER THE CAP, the Seahawks have $68 413,705 of salary cap space. As for draft picks, the Seahawks have plenty of them.

Round 1 – Pick 18, Round 2 – Pick 50, Round 2 – Pick 52, Round 3 – Pick 82, Round 3 – Pick 92*, Round 4 – Pick 137, Round 5 – Pick 173,R ound 6 – Pick 187, Round 6 – Pick 212, Round 7 – Pick 225, Round 7 – Pick 236

*The third-round pick from the Raiders was originally reported as the 73rd overall pick but has since been corrected to 92nd overall.

The Seahawks will no doubt be using some of those picks on the offensive side of the ball. How many will depend on what moves the team makes during the upcoming free agency period.

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