Seattle Seahawks: Top 5 needs for the 2020 offseason
By Andrew Kim
Free Agency Preview
The Seahawks are the middle of the pack in cap space according to Over the Cap, and could bring back their pending free agents if they wanted to. They have around $45 million and usually make risky moves that other teams tend not to make. Cap casualties could free up more cap space, as Seattle also could rework contracts with a few veteran starters.
The consensus at the moment is that Jadaveon Clowney will want the top tier contract as an edge rusher and it seems like Seattle will not cough that up. They traded for him, from the Houston Texans, early last year but he still struggled with injuries. He does not have the best sack numbers but the pass rusher does impact the game in a different way when he is on the field. If Clowney hits the market, however, many teams will be interested to pay him the money he is looking for.
Another key free agent on the defensive line is Jarran Reed. Reed had a career year two years ago and had double-digit sacks as an interior pass rusher. Last year, he dealt with a six-game suspension and was not as productive. If Seattle loses Clowney and the former Alabama second-round pick, they are losing key pieces on their defensive line that they will need to retool this offseason.
Seattle might need a solution at right tackle if Germain Ifedi leaves for free agency, which seems likely at this point. He has struggled overall, as the Seahawks will need to spend an early pick on an offensive tackle again in this year’s draft.
Swing left tackle George Fant could also be gone, as he has been a backup and reserve tackle/ tight end hybrid blocker. Fant was the starting left tackle before a season-ending injury in 2017 and after they traded for Duane Brown (from the Houston Texans), he could not get his job back.
Seattle is the type of team that is always in contention and they are usually a piece or two away from getting back to the Super Bowl. However, they have some pressing needs this year and may have to use all their resources to address them this offseason.