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Welcome to Part Four!
Before we jump into today’s activity - i.e. deciding the fate of the players that are currently under contract on offense and special teams, let’s look at the results from yesterday’s polls and learn the fate of the Seahawks’ franchise quarterback.
Poll #RW3.01: If you asked 100 people to name the first current Seahawk that comes to mind, how many would say, “Russell Wilson”?
- Nearly all of you - 1,422 of the 1,453 poll respondents - chose one of the three answers that can be summarized as “50 or more”
- 819 of you (56%) said, “More than 75, but less than 100”
- 487 (34%) said, “Every. Single. One.”
The takeaway there? RW3 is very popular and is clearly “the face of the franchise”.
Of course, we didn’t really need a poll to tell us that.
Poll #RW3.02: If you were John and Pete, would you trade Russell Wilson this offseason?
- 37% of you said that you don’t like the idea and don’t want to do it but would consider it for the right offer. (525 votes)
- 18% of you said it was a HARD NO! (248 votes)
- 18% were willing to take advantage of another team being foolish (i.e. sending you all of their picks for 3 straight years). (also 248 votes)
- 14% said you would consider it at some point, but not this year because of the excessive cap hit ($39M) if the team trades Russell Wilson before June 1st. (195 votes)
- No other answer got more than 6% of the vote.
Poll #RW3.03: Teams are calling, will you pick up the phone?
Unsurprisingly, 89% of you said, “Yes”.
Although, judging by the comments people posted, that may have been because you wanted to see if there were any truly ridiculous offers (and/or you were just trying to be nice).
IMPORTANT: The next set of poll results are about the hypothetical trade proposals from RW3’s “approved” teams. If you’re not interested in them, scroll to the next double line. It’s not far.
Chicago: Nearly 3/4 of you chose one of the 2 options that included Khalil Mack. With the option of Mack + 3 R1s beating out the option of Mack, 2 R1s, and 3 other players.
Las Vegas: 57% of you chose the trade option with Marcus Mariota and Darren Waller over the trade option with Derek Carr and Clelin Ferrell.
New Orleans: 56% of you chose Proposal #2 (Two R1s, 2 R2s + 3 players); 44% chose Proposal #1 (Two R1s, 2 R2s, an R3, and Pro Bowl Guard Andrus Peat).
And the winner is / was . . . The Chicago Bears (53%)
And the decision is . . .
Yeah . . . it wasn’t close. 71% of you said, “RW3 is my starting QB in 2021.”
Sorry, let me restate that a bit more emphatically:
RUSSELL WILSON WILL BE OUR STARTING QB IN 2021!
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(and probably beyond)
Alright, now that we have some clarity on our franchise quarterback’s fate - and thus the direction of the team, let’s make some decisions on the rest of our players.
Where we are in relation to the salary cap
On Wednesday, the league announced that the salary cap for 2021 would be $182.5M. As a result, the Hawks gained about $1M of additional cap space.
After releasing Carlos Dunlap to start the week, Seattle had $18,612,987 available; now that number is $19,692,987. Both numbers are per OverTheCap (OTC).
Of course, that $19,692,987 figure is only our starting point here in the series because you (as a group) have made some decisions that affect how much money the team has available.
ON MONDAY, you signed Jamal Adams to a 4-year, $66M contract extension that keeps him here for the next 5 years at a total cost of $75.86M.
Via the contract structure that Seattle is working on with Mr. Adams and his agent, the team will be able to reduce his 2021 cap hit from $9.86M to $6.86M.
The end result is that Seattle GAINS $3,000,000 in available cap space for 2021.
ON TUESDAY, you tendered Restricted Free Agent Poona Ford at the Second-Round Level. As a result, the tender amount ($3,384,000) gets charged to Seattle’s cap immediately.
The other thing you decided on Tuesday was that Tre Flowers would be released. The team incurs a dead money charge of $74,681, but his $2.183M cap hit comes off the books as soon as the paperwork is submitted.
Combining Tuesday’s two roster moves (tendering Ford, releasing Flowers), the net result is that Seattle LOSES $1,275,681 in 2021 cap space.
The bottom line
$3,000,000 gained on Monday minus $1,275,681 spent on Tuesday = a Net Change of PLUS $1,724,319.
Thus, heading into today’s exercise, Seattle’s available cap space is . . .
$21,417,306
Unfinished business
The $21,417,306 figure isn’t the “final” number.
Why?
Because in Part Two, you decided to offer extensions to three players (Duane Brown, Jarran Reed, and Quandre Diggs) and to try to re-sign seven of your own free agents (K.J. Wright, Benson Mayowa, Carlos Hyde, Ethan Pocic, Geno Smith, Neiko Thorpe, and Nick Bellore).
Which means that $21,417,306 number is going to change.
But not yet.
For now, let’s just say that you, as John and Pete, are “having discussions” with the agents for those ten players and we’ll factor their status into the cap space in Part Six.
Roster decisions for players on offense and special teams
Historically, under the current regime (JS/PC), the Seahawks don’t offer contract extensions until the offseason prior to a player reaching free agency and, while there have been exceptions, they don’t often sign “third contracts” (i.e. they shy away from long-term contracts with players in their 30’s).
For this series, however, all options are on the table for all players - because YOU are John and Pete and you can do things your way.
Per OverTheCap (OTC), the Seahawks currently have 25 offensive players under contract + a kicker, a punter, and a long-snapper on special teams. For decision-making purposes, they are divided into 4 groups:
- Players who have already had their own poll - the 12s have spoken on these players, but . . . there are follow-up polls for them.
- Players who will be free agents next offseason (2022) - these are the players that would typically be candidates for extensions under the current regime.
- Players who will be free agents in 2023 - this group includes at least one player that the current regime might “bend the rules” for and sign to an extension “early.”
- Players who are under contract for the next 3 years - you are, of course, welcome to extend these players, but . . . would you?
NOTE: Players within each group are listed by cap hit first and then alphabetically by first name. No inferences are intended by the order.
Players who have already had their own poll
First up is our franchise QB - the guy who is staying in Seattle!
QB Russell Wilson: Age 33 | Signed through 2023 | 2021 Cap Number is $32,000,000
- - - $39,000,000 dead money + $19,000 base salary in 2021 is fully guaranteed
TWO questions . . .
Poll #OST.01a: Now that you’ve decided to put the trade talk to rest, what do you do about RW3’s recent “requests”?
Poll
Whatcha gonna do with RW3 now that you’ve decided not to trade him?
This poll is closed
-
27%
Give him a seat at the table and let him have a voice on personnel decisions.
(209 votes) -
10%
Politely remind him that he’s got his job and you’ve got yours and that it’s best if everyone sticks to their own role.
(80 votes) -
61%
Find something that works for everyone that’s in between those 2 options.
(460 votes)
Poll #OST.01b: Do you restructure Wilson’s contract to decrease his cap hit in 2021?
Poll
Will you be restructuring Russell Wilson’s contract to give the team additional cap space in 2021?
This poll is closed
-
16%
Yes, I will be squeezing out every last dollar of additional cap space in 2021 ($14,340,000 to be exact).
(119 votes) -
27%
Yes, I will be looking to save cap space in 2021, but I won’t go to an extreme; saving $10M would be enough.
(201 votes) -
28%
Yes, but only on an "as needed" basis.
(209 votes) -
27%
No. I don’t want increase his salary cap hit and/or the amount of dead money on his contract in future years.
(199 votes)
Next up are two players would were mentioned as possible cap casualties in Part Two of this series. You decided to keep both of them, and to offer one of them (Duane Brown) an extension.
However, Part Two did not provide you with the option to trade either (or both) of these players to another team.
The reason that trading them wasn’t an option in Part Two is simple: Right now, because of the decreased salary cap and the over-abundance of veteran players already on the market, there isn’t any real incentive for teams to make “legitimate” offers for players that they suspect will be released before March 17th.
In the coming weeks, and especially after the draft, either or both of these players could be valuable bargaining chips.
Poll #OST.02a: LT Duane Brown: Age 36 | Free agent in 2022 | 2021 Cap Number is $13,350,000
- - - $2,000,000 dead money
Poll
Would you consider trading Left Tackle Duane Brown after the NFL Draft?
Poll #OST.02b: If you would consider trading Duane Brown after the NFL Draft, what would you expect to be able to get for him?
Poll
If you WOULD consider trading Duane Brown after the NFL Draft, what would you expect to be able to get for him?
This poll is closed
-
11%
A 1st Round pick in the 2022 draft
(72 votes) -
31%
A 2nd Round pick in 2022
(193 votes) -
33%
A 3rd Round pick in a future draft (2022-2024)
(205 votes) -
11%
An early-Day Three pick (i.e. Rounds 4-5) in a future draft
(72 votes) -
3%
A late-Day Three pick (i.e. Rounds 6-7) in a future draft
(19 votes) -
8%
A player-for-player exchange
(55 votes)
Poll #OST.03a: RT Brandon Shell: Age 29 | Free agent in 2022 | 2021 Cap Number is $5,350,000
- - - $2,000,000 dead money
Poll
Would you consider trading Right Tackle Brandon Shell after the NFL Draft?
Poll #OST.03b:
Poll
If you WOULD consider trading Brandon Shell after the NFL Draft, what would you expect to be able to get for him?
This poll is closed
-
3%
A 1st Round pick in the 2022 draft
(18 votes) -
12%
A 2nd Round pick in 2022
(75 votes) -
28%
A 3rd Round pick in a future draft (2022-2024)
(170 votes) -
33%
An early-Day Three pick (i.e. Rounds 4-5) in a future draft
(197 votes) -
14%
A late-Day Three pick (i.e. Rounds 6-7) in a future draft
(86 votes) -
7%
A player-for-player exchange
(46 votes)
Players who will be free agents next offseason (2022)
For each player, select an option. If you choose “Something else”, please elaborate on that in the Comments section.
Poll #OST.04: WR Tyler Lockett: Age 29 | Free agent in 2022 | 2021 Cap Number is $14,950,000
- - - $2,250,000 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Wide Receiver Tyler Lockett?
This poll is closed
-
25%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(174 votes) -
28%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(199 votes) -
0%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(5 votes) -
43%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(303 votes) -
2%
Something else.
(15 votes)
Poll #OST.05: P Michael Dickson: Age 25 | 2021 Cap Number is $3,456,538
- - - $72,538 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Punter Michael Dickson?
This poll is closed
-
17%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(130 votes) -
1%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(12 votes) -
0%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(6 votes) -
79%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(587 votes) -
0%
Something else.
(1 vote)
Poll #OST.06: RB Rashaad Penny: Age 25 | 2021 Cap Number is $3.425.366
- - - $2,057,352 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Running Back Rashaad Penny?
This poll is closed
-
58%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(411 votes) -
25%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(178 votes) -
8%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(60 votes) -
6%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(44 votes) -
1%
Something else.
(9 votes)
Poll #OST.07: TE Will Dissly: Age 25 | 2021 Cap Number is $1,082,567
- - - $162,567 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Tight End Will Dissly?
This poll is closed
-
69%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(483 votes) -
5%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(37 votes) -
1%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(7 votes) -
23%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(160 votes) -
0%
Something else.
(4 votes)
Poll #OST.08: OT Jamarco Jones: Age 25 | 2021 Cap Number is $911,251
- - - $61,251 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Offensive Tackle Jamarco Jones?
This poll is closed
-
73%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(492 votes) -
11%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(76 votes) -
7%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(52 votes) -
5%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(40 votes) -
1%
Something else.
(10 votes)
Poll #OST.09: RB Alex Collins: Age 27 | 2021 Cap Number is $850,000
Poll
What would you do with Running Back Alex Collins
This poll is closed
-
87%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(590 votes) -
2%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(14 votes) -
5%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(34 votes) -
3%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(25 votes) -
2%
Something else.
(15 votes)
NOTE: Alex Collins was a recent signing so it’s probably reasonable to assume that the “correct” answer here is “Have him play 2021 on his current contract.” Still . . .
Poll #OST.10: QB Alex McGough: Age 26 | 2021 Cap Number is $780,000
Poll
What would you do with Quarterback Alex McGough?
This poll is closed
-
66%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(440 votes) -
3%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(25 votes) -
16%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(110 votes) -
0%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(4 votes) -
12%
Something else.
(80 votes)
Poll #OST.11: WR David Kidsy: Age 26 | 2021 Cap Number is $780,000
Poll
What would you do with Wide Receiver David Kidsy?
This poll is closed
-
51%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(320 votes) -
3%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(24 votes) -
26%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(162 votes) -
0%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(2 votes) -
17%
Something else.
(109 votes)
Poll #OST.12: WR Penny Hart: Age 25 | 2021 Cap Number is $780,000
Poll
What would you do with Wide Receiver Penny Hart?
This poll is closed
-
77%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(479 votes) -
4%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(29 votes) -
11%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(69 votes) -
1%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(8 votes) -
5%
Something else.
(32 votes)
Poll #OST.13: WR John Ursua: Age 27 | 2021 Cap Number is $780,000
Poll
What would you do with Wide Receiver John Ursua?
This poll is closed
-
70%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(434 votes) -
6%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(43 votes) -
15%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(93 votes) -
1%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(12 votes) -
5%
Something else.
(35 votes)
Poll #OST.14: WR Aaron Fuller: Age 24 | 2021 Cap Number is $660,000
Poll
What would you do with Wide Receiver Aaron Fuller?
This poll is closed
-
66%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(395 votes) -
5%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(32 votes) -
19%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(117 votes) -
0%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(3 votes) -
8%
Something else.
(48 votes)
Poll #OST.15: OC Brad Lundblade: Age 26 | 2021 Cap Number is $660,000
Poll
What would you do with Center Brad Lundblade?
This poll is closed
-
72%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(409 votes) -
3%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(20 votes) -
14%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(81 votes) -
0%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(3 votes) -
8%
Something else.
(48 votes)
Poll #OST.16: WR Cody Thompson: Age 25 | 2021 Cap Number is $660,000
Poll
What would you do with Wide Receiver Cody Thompson?
This poll is closed
-
70%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(383 votes) -
4%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(27 votes) -
15%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(86 votes) -
0%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(2 votes) -
8%
Something else.
(47 votes)
Poll #OST.17: QB Danny Etling: Age 27 | 2021 Cap Number is $660,000
Poll
What would you do with Quarterback Danny Etling?
This poll is closed
-
55%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(301 votes) -
7%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(39 votes) -
22%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(121 votes) -
0%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(3 votes) -
14%
Something else.
(79 votes)
Poll #OST.18: OT Tommy Champion: Age 24 | 2021 Cap Number is $660,000
Poll
What would you do with Offensive Tackle Tommy Champion?
This poll is closed
-
73%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(387 votes) -
3%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(19 votes) -
12%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(63 votes) -
0%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(3 votes) -
9%
Something else.
(51 votes)
Poll #OST.19: TE Tyler Mabry: Age 25 | 2021 Cap Number is $660,000
Poll
What would you do with Tight End Tyler Mabry?
This poll is closed
-
68%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(354 votes) -
3%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(18 votes) -
17%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(90 votes) -
0%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(2 votes) -
9%
Something else.
(50 votes)
Players who will be free agents in 2023
Poll #OST.20: K Jason Myers: Age 30 | 2021 Cap Number is $4,350,000
- - - $2,000,000 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Kicker Jason Myers?
This poll is closed
-
45%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(275 votes) -
1%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(10 votes) -
0%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(3 votes) -
51%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(310 votes) -
0%
Something else.
(2 votes)
Poll #OST.21: WR D.K. Metcalf: Age 24 | 2021 Cap Number is $1,250,741
- - - $677,654 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Wide Receiver D.K. Metcalf?
This poll is closed
-
42%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(268 votes) -
7%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(46 votes) -
0%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(3 votes) -
48%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(303 votes) -
0%
Something else.
(4 votes)
Poll #OST.22: LS Tyler Ott: 2021 Cap Number is $1,115,000
Poll
What would you do with Long-Snapper Tyler Ott?
This poll is closed
-
72%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(404 votes) -
1%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(7 votes) -
1%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(10 votes) -
21%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(122 votes) -
2%
Something else.
(13 votes)
Poll #OST.23: OG Phil Haynes: Age 26 | 2021 Cap Number is $1,022,718
- - - $345,436 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Offensive Guard Phil Haynes?
This poll is closed
-
84%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(454 votes) -
5%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(32 votes) -
5%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(27 votes) -
3%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(19 votes) -
1%
Something else.
(7 votes)
Poll #OST.24: RB Travis Homer: Age 23 | 2021 Cap Number is $885,840
- - - $71,680 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Running Back Travis Homer?
This poll is closed
-
73%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(397 votes) -
9%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(53 votes) -
13%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(71 votes) -
1%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(9 votes) -
1%
Something else.
(8 votes)
Players who are under contract for the next 3 years
Poll #OST.25: RG Damien Lewis: Age 24 | 2021 Cap Number is $1,114,124
- - - $843,897 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Right Guard Damien Lewis?
This poll is closed
-
86%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(475 votes) -
0%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(3 votes) -
0%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(1 vote) -
12%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(71 votes) -
0%
Something else.
(1 vote)
Poll #OST.26: TE Colby Parkinson: Age 22 | 2021 Cap Number is $947,610
- - - $502,830 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Tight End Colby Parkinson?
This poll is closed
-
94%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(505 votes) -
2%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(15 votes) -
1%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(6 votes) -
0%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(3 votes) -
0%
Something else.
(5 votes)
Poll #OST.27: RB DeeJay Dallas: Age 23 | 2021 Cap Number is $903,600
- - - $370,800 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Running Back DeeJay Dallas?
This poll is closed
-
86%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(457 votes) -
7%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(39 votes) -
5%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(27 votes) -
0%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(2 votes) -
0%
Something else.
(4 votes)
Poll #OST.28: WR Freddie Swain: Age 23 | 2021 Cap Number is $812,353
- - - $97,059 dead money
Poll
What would you do with Wide Receiver Freddie Swain?
This poll is closed
-
93%
Have him play 2021 on his current contract.
(492 votes) -
3%
Quietly "shop" him (value TBD); keep him if no trade partner found.
(20 votes) -
1%
Actively pursue a trade + release him if unsuccessful.
(6 votes) -
1%
Sign him to a market-rate extension.
(10 votes) -
0%
Something else.
(0 votes)
NOTE: All of the polls in this installment will close at 10pm PST tomorrow (3/12).