That NFL contracts are typically back-loaded — meaning both the highest-salary for the player and greatest risk for the team are in the final years of the deal — is hardly news.
Just about every team structures contracts in that manner, giving teams flexibility down the road, and putting players in positions to essentially have to re-earn their contract (or any contract) in the final years of the deal. It’s a phenomenon unique to the NFL among the major sports in the United States since its contracts are only partially guaranteed.
The Seahawks have had several notable players in recent years who signed big contracts but were released by the team before playing them out.