Seahawks Free Agent Primer: Seattle to Retain Special-Teams Ace Nick Bellore?
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.
Revered for his goofy personality as much as his reliability and leadership on special teams, Nick Bellore has been a key contributor on and off the field for Seattle for four seasons. Heading into his 13th season, should the organization bring him back for another go around?
Season In Review
Remaining the anchor of Seattle's special teams units and named a team captain, Bellore didn't have to sweat out final roster cuts as he did in prior seasons and played 81 percent of the team's snaps in the third phase of the game. For the second straight season, he led the Seahawks with 14 tackles on kick and punt coverage, excelling at bringing down returners. He also played on the majority of kick and punt return reps, serving as a capable blocker. Thanks to his contributions, he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate as a specialist. Seeing minimal snaps on offense, he received a single carry for three yards.
Why Seattle Should Re-Sign Him
Though far from the best athlete on Seattle's roster and more than happy to bash his own deficiencies from that perspective, Bellore plays with great instincts in kick and punt coverage, seemingly always finding his way to the football and consistently making big hits on returners in space. Leading by example on the field, his stellar play rubs off on his teammates and his presence proved critical for one of the premier special teams units in the entire NFL. Away from making tackles in bunches in the third phase of the game, he still offers flexibility to play linebacker or fullback in a pinch if necessary and his captain status illustrates the immense respect everyone in the locker room has for him.
Why Seattle Should Let Him Walk
Despite posting quality numbers on special teams once again, Bellore's already low value on offense and defense continues to diminish as he ages. He has logged less than 20 offensive snaps in each of the past two seasons and even when the Seahawks did opt to use two-back personnel in 2022, he often found himself on the sideline with coordinator Shane Waldron utilizing tight ends or rookie receiver Dareke Young as a fullback instead. Formerly a starting linebacker for the 49ers, he has played 10 combined defensive snaps in the past five seasons and it would be a challenge for him to succeed if called upon to play there at this stage of his career.
Ideal Contract
One year, $1.35 million
Prediction
From a depth standpoint, like most teams, the Seahawks would prefer to employ players who can make positive contributions on offense or defense as well as special teams to fill out the back end of their roster. Set to turn 34 years old in May, Bellore has hardly played as a fullback or linebacker in recent seasons and doesn't check off that box anymore. Aside from a few snaps here and there on offense, he's settled in as a special teamer exclusively.
However, Bellore hasn't shown signs of slowing down as a kick and punt coverage ace and considering his limited playing time on offense and defense, he should still have some tread on his tires. With Cody Barton and Travis Homer also heading towards free agency, Seattle would be at risk for creating a huge leadership void on special teams by not bringing him back for another season. Unlikely to command much more than veteran minimum and one of the most popular players on the team, it would be a surprise to not see him back in camp in August.
Previous Seahawks Free Agent Primers
Rashaad Penny | Poona Ford | Austin Blythe | Cody Barton | Geno Smith | Bruce Irvin | Phil Haynes | Marquise Goodwin
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