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I don’t want to think about it. But since it’s not inconceivable it must be addressed.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell put up 15 predictions for post-June 1 signings, with that June 1 designation important for salary cap and comp pick purposes. The Seattle Seahawks are not included in the predictions for signing a player, but one Seahawks free agent is predicted to sign elsewhere.
In the NFC West.
No, not the San Francisco 49ers.
K.J. Wright, LB
Prediction: signs one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams
Sherman’s former teammate played well last year in Seattle, but the market for veteran off-the-ball linebackers is typically bleak, and Wright has been one of the players squeezed. The Seahawks have talked about bringing Wright back, but coach Pete Carroll could also be ready to insert 2020 first-rounder Jordyn Brooks into the lineup as Wright’s replacement. Wright said he wouldn’t take a hometown discount to stay with the Seahawks, but he’s probably looking at a short-term deal in the $3 million range.
Just as Sherman used the opportunity of leaving Seattle to sign with a division rival in San Francisco, what about Wright making a move to Los Angeles? The Rams basically have a void at linebacker as a product of their cap issues and heavy spending elsewhere on the defensive side of the ball. Wright would step in on the weak side as an immediate starter, possibly alongside rookie third-rounder Ernest Jones.
Wright remains unsigned and while Pete Carroll says the door is open for a return, nothing suggests bringing him back is actually in the cards.
It’d be a bummer if Wright actually did sign for such a low price with any team, Seahawks included. Unfortunately the market value for non pass-rushing linebackers was clearly set low this offseason and Wright is on the wrong side of 30.
...But him playing for the Rams? Yeah that might actually hurt more than when Richard Sherman went to the 49ers.
Here’s to Barnwell being wrong on this one or else I’ll be sulking for the rest of the offseason.