After 14 seasons, the Pete Carroll period for the Seattle Seahawks got here to an finish this offseason. Former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has been employed to interchange him and begin a brand new chapter.
Macdonald is taking up a staff that has completed 9-8 the previous two seasons and is caught in the midst of the NFL’s standings. Right here is one commerce, minimize and free agent signing the Seahawks ought to make this offseason to assist take the subsequent step.
TRADE: Transfer up within the draft
Let’s make a daring suggestion right here proper from the beginning.
Why? To attempt to get a quarterback.
Geno Smith has been a really stable stop-gap, bridge resolution and helped them keep aggressive following the Russell Wilson period. However he’s in all probability not a long-term reply or the kind of elite quarterback that’s more likely to carry a staff to the Tremendous Bowl.
The Seahawks are in that robust center floor of the draft (No. 16 total) the place they are going to be simply out of attain for the prime quarterback prospects. Given how sturdy this yr’s quarterback class is on the prime, and the way weak the 2025 NFL Draft is meant to be for quarterbacks, this is likely to be a very good time to make a daring transfer and attempt to repair that long-term drawback.
Smith can nonetheless play for an additional season and permit them to convey a rookie alongside slowly, they usually might need an opportunity to develop a participant that may get them again to Tremendous Bowl rivalry.
CUT: WR Tyler Lockett
The straightforward reply right here was security Jamal Adams, and the Seahawks took care of that on Tuesday by releasing him following a disappointing four-year run with the staff.
They could nonetheless have one other potential huge minimize that must be made in Lockett.
He nonetheless has two years remaining on his present contract and will give the Seahawks some salary-cap financial savings in the event that they determined to maneuver on from him. He has been an awesome Seahawk for the previous 9 years, however goes to be 32 subsequent season and has proven some indicators of slowing down. Seattle nonetheless has sturdy huge receiver depth with D.Okay. Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the prime of the lineup.
SIGNING: LB Patrick Queen
The Seahawks protection has been a serious problem the previous two seasons, ending every year twenty fifth within the NFL in factors towards. The 2 largest areas of concern have been alongside the line of defense and at center linebacker.
Seattle may deal with the middle-linebacker spot in an enormous method in free company by signing Queen away from the Ravens, giving them an impactful, three-down MLB who can play towards the run, defend the go and rush the passer. Enjoying in a division with San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Seahawks are going to must be considerably higher on protection if they’re going to compete.
Utilizing a major choose on a center linebacker might not be one of the best asset administration, however addressing it in free company is likely to be worthwhile.
Queen additionally has an apparent historical past with Macdonald from their time collectively in Baltimore.
