NFL Free Agency is officially here, and the next few days will feature at least a few Seattle Seahawks rumors. The Seahawks have been pretty quite so far, but they might not be done yet. With that in mind, here are all of the interesting rumors and news tidbits on the Seahawks.
Okung Contract Criticized
The Seahawks lost OT Russell Okung to the Denver Broncos. At the time, Okung seemed to do a good job as his own agent by getting a five-year, $53 million deal. However, that's a deceptive deal, and the contract has zero guaranteed money. The contract has been ripped by Pro Football Talk and ESPN's John Clayton.
"It's horrible," Clayton said on ESPN 710 in Seattle. "It's now starting to be regarded as maybe the worst contract for a sub-30, Pro Bowl-caliber player ever done in free agency."
The Broncos are taking no risk with the deal, putting it all on Okung instead. Okung can earn $1 million by participating in the team's offseason program, but the team can cut him before the season starts with no other money heading his way. His first year is worth another $4 million in non-guaranteed money, and then the team has another contract option after that season. It's essentially a two-year, $19.5 million deal for 2017 and 2018, with Okung needed to prove himself that he's worth that money this year.
Long story short, Okung signed a really bad deal with the Broncos. This is why NFL players should use agents.
Seahawks' Offensive Line Situation
The Seahawks offensive line was poor last year, and it's only become worse this offseason. The team lost Okung and OG J.R. Sweezy. Neither played that great, but they were two of the best on the offensive line. With those players gone, let's breakdown the Seattle O-Line.
Patrick Lewis wasn't great at center last season, but he'll likely start and should improve. Justin Britt and Garry Gilliam are both back, but both struggled last season. Gilliam is best left at right tackle and Britt at guard, but the losses could force Britt to move to tackle. The team signed Bradley Sowell and J'Marcus Webb, but Sowell is unproven and Webb is not good. Webb can handle himself a bit at guard, but asking him to move to tackle is a disaster waiting to happen.
The Seahawks have invested the least amount of money of any NFL team into their offensive line. Until that changes, the line is going to struggle. Ideally, the Seahawks find a left tackle to keep Gilliam at RT and Britt at guard. The draft seems like the best route to add talent, but a trade is also an option.
Trade For Ryan Clady?
Now that the Denver Broncos have signed Russell Okung, the team is trying to trade OT Ryan Clady. Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reports that 4 or 5 teams are interested in trading for Clady, while ESPN's Dan Graziano reports no team is. The Seahawks could be one of those teams, given the team's need for OL help.
Clady's contract is why Graziano thinks no team wants Clady, as he's carrying a massive $10 million base salary. The Seahawks (and others) could have interest in a trade if Clady takes a restructured deal, something Denver tried to get him to do. Of course, the Seahawks could just wait and hope the Broncos cut Clady. Clady is almost 30 and coming off injuries, so there's reason for Seattle to avoid him.
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