The Seattle Seahawks are facing a a crucial offseason after two straight exits in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. This team still has the same core as the team that won the Super Bowl, and they're doing everything they can to get back there while they still have that core group under contract. As such, they need to re-sign some of their key free agents. Here are the three key Seahawks players who are free agents this offseason:
KR/PR Devin Hester
Hester was a very late season pickup for Seattle, and he has hinted at retiring this offseason. However, the 34-year-old clearly showed his value in Seattle's playoff loss to Atlanta, where he reeled off several long returns that ended up being called back by penalties. Yes, the Seahawks usually use Tyler Lockett in the return role, but with him proving to be invaluable as a receiver, taking him off the return team gives him fewer chances to get hurt. If they can convince Hester to play for one more year for another run at a Super Bowl, they should.
TE Luke Willson
Willson proved to be invaluable during the 2015 season when Jimmy Graham was struggling with injuries, and even after Graham cemented himself as the dynamic weapon we thought he'd be when the Seahawks first acquired him, Willson carved out a nice role as a blocking tight end. He only finished with 15 catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns in just 11 games this past season, so they should be able to re-sign him for relatively cheap.
K Steven Hauschka
Hauschka has spent the last six seasons with the Seahawks, but his future with the franchise has been in question after he missed a career-high six extra points this year - after missing four extra points in 2015. Because of his recent struggles, Seattle could re-sign him on a team-friendly contract. Expect them to do that and to bring in a few free agents in the preseason for a kicking competition.
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