Seahawks Free Agent Primer: Run it Back With WR Marquise Goodwin?
On the heels of a surprising 9-8 season that culminated in an unexpected playoff berth, the Seattle Seahawks have plenty of roster questions to address heading into another important offseason as they continue their quest back to Super Bowl contention.
When the new league year opens on March 15, Seattle will have 23 players scheduled to hit the market as unrestricted free agents. Three players will be restricted free agents and five will be exclusive rights free agents, while several other key veterans such as linebacker Uchenna Nwosu will be entering the final season of their respective deals ready to negotiate extensions.
Over the next several weeks, we'll break down each and every one of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2022 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, breaking down an ideal contract and making an early prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2023.
Revitalizing his career to an extent, veteran receiver Marquise Goodwin showed he still has world class speed while emerging as Seattle's No. 3 wideout last season. Will he catch passes from Geno Smith again in 2023?
Season In Review
Reuniting with receiver coach Sanjay Lal, who previously coached him in Buffalo, Goodwin joined the Seahawks as a late free agent addition in May prior to the start of organized team activities. Competing against a pair of draft choices in Dareke Young and Bo Melton and several other returning wideouts, he earned a spot on the Week 1 roster and gradually became a bigger focal point in the offense, including catching a pair of touchdowns in a Week 7 win over the Chargers. While shoulder and knee issues ultimately led to him ending the season on injured reserve, he finished with his highest totals in receptions (27), receiving yards (387), and touchdowns (four) since back in 2019 when he was with the 49ers.
Why Seattle Should Re-Sign Him
While he may not run a sub-4.30 40-yard dash anymore, Goodwin wasted little time showing off his track speed upon arrival in Seattle, running blazing routes on the practice field in OTAs and training camp. His burst and quickness as a route runner benefited the Seahawks immensely in the regular season, including from the slot, where he produced 187 of his 387 receiving yards and a touchdown, second-most on the team in both categories. When healthy, he provided a dynamic complement to star receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett who could create downfield, averaging a team-best 14.3 yards per reception and picking up 18 first downs on 27 receptions.
Why Seattle Should Let Him Walk
Now 32 years old, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Goodwin is poised to start showing signs of decline in terms of speed, one of his major calling cards. Injuries have also been a persistent issue for him throughout his career, as he dealt with nagging knee, elbow, and shoulder issues last season while managing to play in 13 games, eventually landing on injured reserve. Given his age, injury history, and lack of special teams impact at this stage of his career, the Seahawks may be better off rolling with younger, higher upside players moving forward.
Ideal Contract
One year, $1.75 million
Prediction
There's no denying Goodwin hit it off with Smith, developing quick chemistry with the quarterback while becoming a reliable third receiving weapon in the intermediate passing game running routes from the slot and outside. He can still fly, presenting another matchup problem for defenses to worry about playing alongside Metcalf and Lockett. For those reasons alone, assuming the Seahawks re-sign Smith as expected, bringing back the savvy veteran wideout would make sense on multiple levels.
With that said, Goodwin faces a situation similar to linebacker Bruce Irvin, another aging player who played a key role for Seattle last season. Unlikely to be a prioritized target in free agency due to his age and the fact he's coming off a significant shoulder injury, he will have likely wait a while before signing a new contract as he did last offseason. Depending on what the franchise does in free agency and the draft at receiver, they could choose to bring him back to compete for a roster spot later in the offseason on a one-year deal near veteran minimum with incentives.
Previous Seahawks Free Agent Primers
Rashaad Penny | Poona Ford | Austin Blythe | Cody Barton | Geno Smith | Bruce Irvin | Phil Haynes
Hey, 12s! Get your Seahawks Tickets from SI Tickets ... HERE!
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Seahawks? Click Here to subscribe to AllSeahawks.com's Newsletter.
Follow All Seahawks.com on Twitter and Facebook
Make sure to subscribe to our daily podcast @lockedonseahawks today! Click here To Listen.
Want even more Seattle Seahawks news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
