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Welcome to Part Two of this series!
Today we are looking at moves the Seahawks could choose to make in the next few days.
Specifically, we are looking at which players could be released as “cap casualties” and which of the team’s pending free agents could be resigned before the new league year starts at 1pm (PST) next Wednesday (3/17).
Seattle’s salary cap situation
Per OverTheCap (OTC), after releasing Carlos Dunlap yesterday, Seattle currently has about $18.6M in available cap space for the 2021 season.
As JPG has pointed out several times, that’s not entirely accurate - even though it looks accurate since it’s expressed as an exact amount ($18,612,987).
However, for the purposes of this article/series, we will run with OTC’s numbers.
Players who could be cap casualties
Per OTC, there are 10 players on the Seahawks’ roster for 2021 whose release would save the team more than $2M. Thus, that is our initial pool of players for this discussion.
However, we can eliminate half of those players right off the top, including:
- Seattle’s kickers - Jason Myers was perfect on field goals last season; Seattle probably isn’t releasing him to save $2.35M. Likewise, Michael Dickson is a certifiable weapon; if Seattle wants to save some money on his contract in 2021, an extension seems more likely than releasing him.
- Bobby Wagner and Tyler Lockett are both infinitely tradable; Seattle won’t just release them. Jamal Adams is on the “infinitely tradable” list too, but he was the subject of yesterday’s poll so there is no reason to include him today.
Speaking of Mr. Adams . . .
It looks like the Seahawks are keeping him around as 58% of you voted to sign him to a 4-year, $66M extension.
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Eliminating Myers, Dickson, Wagner, Lockett, and Adams leaves FIVE players that are potential cap causalities.
Poll #CC.01: Should the Seahawks release Left Tackle Duane Brown?
($2M dead money, $11,350,000 cap savings)
Poll
Should the Seahawks release Duane Brown? ($2M dead money, $11,350,000 cap savings)
This poll is closed
-
8%
Yes; release him and replace him with someone else.
(98 votes) -
30%
No; have him play the upcoming season on his current deal.
(349 votes) -
60%
No; sign him to an extension that lowers his 2021 cap hit instead.
(679 votes)
Poll #CC.02: Should the Seahawks release Defensive Tackle Jarran Reed?
($5M dead money, $8,975,000 cap savings)
Poll
Should the Seahawks release Jarran Reed? ($5M dead money, $8,975,000 cap savings)
This poll is closed
-
18%
Yes; release him and replace him with someone else.
(207 votes) -
29%
No; have him play the upcoming season on his current deal.
(334 votes) -
51%
No; sign him to an extension that lowers his 2021 cap hit instead.
(577 votes)
Poll #CC.03: Should the Seahawks release Free Safety Quandre Diggs?
($0 dead money, $6,150,000 cap savings)
Poll
Should the Seahawks release Quandre Diggs? ($0 dead money, $6,150,000 cap savings)
This poll is closed
-
16%
Yes; release him and replace him with someone else.
(178 votes) -
29%
No; have him play the upcoming season on his current deal.
(325 votes) -
54%
No; sign him to an extension that lowers his 2021 cap hit instead.
(599 votes)
Poll #CC.04: Should the Seahawks release Right Tackle Brandon Shell?
($2M dead money, $3,350,000 cap savings)
Poll
Should the Seahawks release Brandon Shell? ($2M dead money, $3,350,000 cap savings)
This poll is closed
-
13%
Yes; release him and replace him with someone else.
(147 votes) -
54%
No; have him play the upcoming season on his current deal.
(579 votes) -
32%
No; sign him to an extension that lowers his 2021 cap hit instead.
(343 votes)
Poll #CC.05: Should the Seahawks release Cornerback Tre Flowers?
($74,681 dead money, $2,183,000 cap savings)
Poll
Should the Seahawks release Tre Flowers? ($74,681 dead money, $2,183,000 cap savings)
This poll is closed
-
53%
Yes; release him and replace him with someone else.
(579 votes) -
39%
No; have him play the upcoming season on his current deal.
(434 votes) -
6%
No; sign him to an extension that lowers his 2021 cap hit instead.
(73 votes)
Players entering free agency on March 17th
Seattle went into the offseason with three dozen players who were eligible for free agency when the new league year starts.
Some of them have already sorted themselves out - for example, Greg Olsen and Mike Iupati both retired and Chance Warmack was released.
The vast majority though - 29 players - will become free agents next Wednesday . . . unless Seattle re-signs them before then.
NOTE: Six of the 29 free agents are Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs) which means the only team they can negotiate / sign with is Seattle. All 6 players are essentially “free agents in name only” and will return in 2021 unless the team doesn’t want them to.
Those 6 players are Bryan Mone, Jason Stanley, Kyle Fuller, Linden Stephens, Patrick Carr, and Ryan Neal.
None of them will be mentioned in any of these polls.
Restricted free agents (RFAs)
Seattle currently has 3 players who are Restricted Free Agents.
All three can solicit offers from other teams starting on March 17th, but if Seattle “tenders” any of them, it makes things more . . . “interesting”.
NOTE: ProFootballNetwork (PFN) has a nice breakdown on the various “RFA tenders” if you want to understand the different options in more detail than provided here.
Two of Seattle’s three restricted free agents came into the league as Undrafted Free Agents (UDFAs). Thus, the tendering options on them are fewer than on Seattle’s lone drafted RFA.
Shaquem Griffin was a 5th round selection. Jordan Simmons and Poona Ford were UDFAs.
WORTH NOTING: Tendering an RFA immediately impacts the salary cap.
Tender options from least expensive to most expensive
- Right of first refusal: Costs $2.133M; provides no compensation if the player leaves.
- Original-round tender: Only applicable to Shaquem Griffin this year; the cost is $2.183M and if Seattle opted not to match an offer then the acquiring team would send the Seahawks a 5th round pick.
- Second-round tender: This is the highest level a UDFA can be tendered at. If they sign an offer with another team and the Seahawks don’t match it then the acquiring team gives Seattle a 2nd round pick. The cost is $3.384M this year.
- First-round tender: Only Shaquem would be eligible and the price is high ($4.766M); it works just like the 2nd-round tender, but Seattle would get a 1st round pick if he left.
Alright, 3 restricted free agents = 3 polls.
Poll #RFA.01: Should the team tender Linebacker Shaquem Griffin? If so, at what level?
Poll
Should the team tender an offer to RFA Shaquem Griffin?
This poll is closed
-
30%
No; let him leave.
(290 votes) -
39%
No; try to sign him, but don’t tender him.
(383 votes) -
5%
Yes; tender him at the Right of First Refusal level. ($2.133M)
(57 votes) -
11%
Yes; tender him at the Original-Round level. ($2.183M)
(110 votes) -
7%
Yes; tender him at the Second-Round level. ($3.384M)
(76 votes) -
4%
Yes; tender him at the First-Round level. ($4.766M)
(43 votes)
Poll #RFA.02: Should the team tender Offensive Guard Jordan Simmons? If so, at what level?
Poll
Should the team tender an offer to RFA Jordan Simmons?
This poll is closed
-
25%
No; let him leave.
(232 votes) -
53%
No; try to sign him, but don’t tender him.
(488 votes) -
18%
Yes; tender him at the Right of First Refusal level. ($2.133M)
(172 votes) -
2%
Yes; tender him at the Second-Round level. ($3.384M)
(22 votes)
Poll #RFA.03: Should the team tender Defensive Tackle Poona Ford? If so, at what level?
Poll
Should the team tender an offer to Poona Ford?
This poll is closed
-
1%
No; let him leave.
(18 votes) -
8%
No; try to sign him, but don’t tender him.
(81 votes) -
23%
Yes; tender him at the Right of First Refusal level. ($2.133M)
(221 votes) -
66%
Yes; tender him at the Second-Round level. ($3.384M)
(634 votes)
Unrestricted free agents (UFAs)
After subtracting out RFAs (3), ERFAs (6), players who have retired and/or been released (Greg Olson, Mike Iupati, Chance Warmack, Chad Wheeler, Josh Gordon), players whose careers may be over for medical reasons (Branden Jackson), and players who have somehow already signed with another team (Stephen Sullivan) . . .
. . . the Seahawks still have TWENTY players left for us to make decisions on.
Let’s get to it!
NOTE: Contract estimates, where provided, are from PFF. They are behind a paywall though; thus no links.
UFAs who started Week 1 in 2020
Poll UFA.01: Should the Seahawks re-sign Benson Mayowa
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was $3M in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Defensive End Benson Mayowa? (cap hit was $3M in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
64%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(586 votes) -
35%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(317 votes)
Poll UFA.02: Should the Seahawks re-sign Bruce Irvin
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was $4.625M in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Linebacker Bruce Irvin? (cap hit was $4.625M in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
22%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(208 votes) -
77%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(703 votes)
Poll UFA.03: Should the Seahawks re-sign Chris Carson
- est. 3 years, $30M, $15M guaranteed
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Running Back Chris Carson? (est. 3 years, $30M, $15M guaranteed)
This poll is closed
-
27%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(253 votes) -
72%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(667 votes)
Poll UFA.04: Should the Seahawks re-sign David Moore
- est. 2 years, $7.5M, $5M guaranteed
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Wide Receiver David Moore? (est. 2 years, $7.5M, $5M guaranteed)
This poll is closed
-
22%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(208 votes) -
77%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(700 votes)
Poll UFA.05: Should the Seahawks re-sign Ethan Pocic
- est. $1.25M, 1 year contract
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Center/Guard Ethan Pocic? (est. $1.25M, 1 year contract)
This poll is closed
-
68%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(625 votes) -
31%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(285 votes)
Poll UFA.06: Should the Seahawks re-sign KJ Wright
- est. 2 years, $12M, $6M guaranteed
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Linebacker K.J. Wright? (est. 2 years, $12M, $6M guaranteed)
This poll is closed
-
68%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(622 votes) -
31%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(289 votes)
Poll UFA.07: Should the Seahawks re-sign Quinton Dunbar
- est. 2 years, $12M, $9.5M guaranteed
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Cornerback Quinton Dunbar? (est. 2 years, $12M, $9.5M guaranteed)
This poll is closed
-
39%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(361 votes) -
60%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(547 votes)
Poll UFA.08: Should the Seahawks re-sign Shaquill Griffin
- est. 3 years, $33M, $18.5M guaranteed
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Cornerback Shaquill Griffin? (est. 3 years, $33M, $18.5M guaranteed)
This poll is closed
-
33%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(303 votes) -
66%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(602 votes)
UFAs who were key reserves in 2020
Poll UFA.09: Should the Seahawks re-sign Carlos Hyde
- est. 1 year, $2M, $1.25M guaranteed
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Running Back Carlos Hyde? (est. 1 year, $2M, $1.25M guaranteed)
This poll is closed
-
53%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(481 votes) -
46%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(421 votes)
Poll UFA.10: Should the Seahawks re-sign Cedric Ogbuehi
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was $2,237,500 in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Offensive Tackle Cedric Ogbuehi? (cap hit was $2,237,500 in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
22%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(196 votes) -
77%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(670 votes)
Poll UFA.11: Should the Seahawks re-sign Jacob Hollister
- est. 2 years, $7.5M, $4M guaranteed
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Tight End Jacob Hollister ? (est. 2 years, $7.5M, $4M guaranteed)
This poll is closed
-
20%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(182 votes) -
79%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(699 votes)
Poll UFA.12: Should the Seahawks re-sign Neiko Thorpe
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was $887,500 in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Cornerback / Special Teams Captain Neiko Thrope? (cap hit was $887,500 in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
68%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(599 votes) -
31%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(274 votes)
Poll UFA.13: Should the Seahawks re-sign Nick Bellore
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was $750,000 in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Fullback Nick Bellore? (cap hit was $750,000 in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
54%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(475 votes) -
45%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(390 votes)
UFAs who provided depth in 2020
Poll UFA.14: Should the Seahawks re-sign Damarious Randall
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was $485,294 in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Safety Damarious Randall? (cap hit was $485,294 in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
35%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(294 votes) -
64%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(537 votes)
Poll UFA.15: Should the Seahawks resign Damontre Moore
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was $485,294 in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Defensive Lineman Damontre Moore? (cap hit was $485,294 in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
47%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(385 votes) -
52%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(431 votes)
Poll UFA.16: Should the Seahawks re-sign Delano Hill
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was $1,006,869 in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Safety Delano Hill? (cap hit was $1,006,869 in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
18%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(151 votes) -
81%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(668 votes)
Poll UFA.17: Should the Seahawks resign Geno Smith
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was $887,500 in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Quarterback Geno Smith? (cap hit was $887,500 in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
60%
Yes; he is an important piece ( and we NEED HIM for the coin flips); pay what it takes to keep him.
(512 votes) -
39%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(328 votes)
Poll UFA.18: Should the Seahawks re-sign Jonathan Bullard
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was $573,529 in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Defensive Lineman Jonathan Bullard? (cap hit was $573,529 in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
26%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(207 votes) -
73%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(583 votes)
Poll UFA.19: Should the Seahawks re-sign Luke Willson
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was (not much) in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Tight End Luke Willson? (cap hit was very low in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
24%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(202 votes) -
75%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(619 votes)
Poll UFA.20: Should the Seahawks re-sign Phillip Dorsett
- no PFF estimate; his cap hit was $887,500 in 2020
Poll
Should the Seahawks resign Wide Receiver Phillip Dorsett? (cap hit was $887,500 in 2020)
This poll is closed
-
40%
Yes; he is an important piece; pay what it takes to keep him.
(328 votes) -
59%
No; let him go (for whatever reason).
(488 votes)
Wrapping things up for today . . .
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of this installment.
Well, almost . . .
There is ONE MORE POLL: How many of the Seahawks’ free agents did YOU decide to keep (as John and Pete)?
Poll
How many of the Seahawks’ free agents did YOU decide to keep (as John and Pete)?
This poll is closed
-
21%
Less than 6 (yes, I released some of the ERFAs)
(140 votes) -
4%
Exactly 6 (i.e. ONLY the ERFAs)
(29 votes) -
44%
7 to 10 (the 6 ERFAs plus 1-4 others)
(282 votes) -
22%
11 to 15 (including the 6 ERFAs)
(146 votes) -
6%
16 to 20 (i.e. 10-14 on top of the ERFAs)
(41 votes) -
0%
21 or more (cuz I couldn’t bear to let anyone go)
(2 votes)
NOTE: All of the polls in today’s installment close at 10pm PST.