First Look at Seahawks Pending 2024 Free Agents
In the aftermath of a disappointing 9-8 season without a playoff berth, offseason planning already is well underway for the Seattle Seahawks, who will be hiring a new head coach to succeed Pete Carroll while also having tough decisions to make on numerous free agents.
At the moment, Seattle has only 48 players under contract for 2024, leaving a ton of work for general manager John Schneider and the front office to do addressing the 90-man roster between now and the start of rookie minicamp in May along with naming a new coach. With a new league year set to begin on March 13, the team will have 14 players set to become unrestricted free agents and a host of other restricted and exclusive rights free agents.
Here's a quick peek at each of the Seahawks pending free agents:
Unrestricted Free Agents
Players whose contract will expire and will be free to sign with any team when free agency opens on March 13.
Leonard Williams, DT
While Seattle's defense unraveled down the stretch, Williams did his part after coming over from New York via trade, including registering four sacks.
© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Acquired from the Giants at the trade deadline for a second and fifth-round pick, the Seahawks made a steep investment for a player on an expiring contract. While re-signing him won't be cheap, all signs indicate the team will prioritize bringing him back on a multi-year deal to avoid him being a highly-priced rental, especially after he contributed four sacks and nine tackles for loss in 10 games with the team.
Bobby Wagner, LB
Production-wise, Wagner hasn't missed much of a beat as he led the NFL with 183 combined tackles while adding 3.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss and earning Second-Team All-Pro honors. He also received the team's nomination for Walter Payton Man of the Year. But with his 34th birthday approaching in June, his age and tread on his tires may lead to some hesitation bringing him back in 2024, especially without Carroll on the sidelines.
Damien Lewis, G
A day one starter coming out of LSU, Lewis has been Seattle's most consistent contributor in the trenches over the past four seasons, starting 61 games and playing at a top-10 level in spurts. Unfortunately, he hasn't demonstrated the growth expected of him since being a PFWA All-Rookie Team selection in 2019 and if he draws lucrative offers from other teams, Seattle may prefer spending money elsewhere rather than participating in a bidding war to keep a guard who has been good but not great.
Jordyn Brooks, LB
If not for a torn ACL suffered late in the 2022 season, the Seahawks may have kicked Brooks' free agency a year down the road by picking up his fifth-year option. But they chose not to and after tallying 111 combined tackles and a career-high 4.5 sacks this season, the franchise will have to decide whether they want to pay the price to keep him as a building block for the defense moving forward under a new regime.
Noah Fant, TE
When Seattle emphasized Fant as part of the passing game, he flashed top-10 talent, averaging 12.9 yards per reception this season. Unfortunately, former coordinator Shane Waldron didn't utilize tight ends as much as he should have, leading to a career-low in receiving yards for the ex-Iowa star. While he has improved as a blocker over the past two years, his price will likely need to stay relatively low for the team to afford re-signing him, though a coaching change could play into his favor.
Evan Brown, C
Starting 16 games at the pivot position, Brown played the role of serviceable stop-gap and with him being just 27 years old, it's possible the Seahawks could bring him back on another inexpensive one-year deal. But at the same time, Olu Oluwatimi is waiting in the wings ready for his shot and for a team seeking to trim fat salary cap-wise, he could be an odd man out on the books.
Phil Haynes, G
Brought back on a one-year deal last March with his first legitimate chance to start, Haynes started off fairly well before injuries once again derailed his season. Since he's still a fairly young player at 28 years old, like Brown, another one-year deal isn't out of the question to bring him back to compete, but it may be time to move on and start over at right guard.
Mario Edwards, DE
A late signing back in May, Edwards gave Seattle unexpected juice as an interior pass rusher, particularly in the first half. If the defense maintains a similar scheme under a new coaching staff, assuming interest remains lukewarm on the free agent market, he could come back on a one-year deal down the road for depth purposes with his ability to play multiple positions across the defensive line.
Colby Parkinson, TE
Finally overcoming foot injuries that marred his first two NFL seasons, Parkinson has come through with an occasional big play in the passing game while making steady improvements as a blocker. Only 25 years old, he may be the tight end Seattle prioritizes bringing back if he can be retained at the right price, but after being used sparingly in Waldron's offense, he might want to see what else is out there.
Artie Burns, CB
Like Edwards, Burns returned to Seattle late last offseason as a depth piece while Riq Woolen recovered from knee surgery and he admirably pitched in playing snaps in the slot for the first time in his career. Nonetheless, with a new coaching staff coming in, it'd be a surprise if he is re-signed as part of a loaded cornerback group.
Drew Lock, QB
Last season, Lock received minimal interest on the open market after playing zero regular season snaps. But the former Missouri star orchestrated a comeback win over the Eagles in December and he still has youth on his side. With so many teams desperate for quarterback help, expect him to garner a lot more interest this spring with the possibility to compete to start elsewhere.
Devin Bush, LB
Signed as insurance while Brooks recovered from knee surgery, Bush ultimately didn't get much of a chance to play until starting against his former team in a loss to the Steelers in Week 17. Unlikely to be a coveted free agent in March, depending on whether or not Wagner or Brooks comes back, he could be an affordable bridge option at linebacker for the Seahawks to retain.
DeeJay Dallas, RB
Rarely playing on offense last season behind Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, Dallas won't be re-signed based on his backfield skills alone. But if there's a reason Seattle could try to ink him up with a second contract, it's his special teams value, particularly with his ability to run downfield and make tackles on kick and punt coverage.
Jason Peters, T
Coming off the couch to fill in for Abraham Lucas and playing fairly well at 42 years old, Peters deserves all the credit in the world for his pinch hitting efforts. That said, the Seahawks must go younger for depth moving forward and this likely will be the end of the line for the future Hall of Famer.
Restricted Free Agents
Players who can be retained with a free agent tender, allowing teams flexibility to match offers from other suitors or receive draft compensation if they sign elsewhere.
Darrell Taylor, EDGE
Since missing his entire rookie season recovering from a broken leg, Taylor has tantalized in spurts with his pass rushing ability, including recording 6.5 sacks in Seattle's final six games in 2022. But he hasn't developed at all as a run defender and his pass rushing production dipped this season, making it far from a slam dunk that the front office will place a restricted tender on him.
Mike Jackson, CB
When Jackson has had the chance to play, he has been more than a serviceable starter in Seattle's secondary, including performing well in place of a benched Woolen in a win over Philadelphia late in the season. Carroll being out of the picture may hurt his chances of returning on a tender, but he could be brought back on a cheaper deal to compete for a backup spot once again.
Jon Rhattigan, LB
A core special teams player, Rhattigan returned to form from a torn ACL that cost him most of the 2022 season and racked up 17 tackles, with the majority of those stops coming on kick and punt coverage. With at least one, if not more, of the veteran linebackers ahead of him on the depth chart likely gone, it's possible he could come back on a right of first refusal tender or a cheaper deal.
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
Players who simply need to be given a qualifying offer; only become free agents if team opts not to retain them.
Jake Curhan, OL
Making Seattle's roster as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Curhan played fairly well in five spot starts as a rookie. But since then, his play has been underwhelming for the most part when thrust into action and after spending a big chunk of the 2023 season on the practice squad, he may not be a priority to keep even on a cheap ERFA deal.
Myles Adams, DT
The arrival of Williams cut Adams out of Seattle's defensive line rotation in the second half, but he still provided positive contributions in limited chances, including his first career sack. His ability to play 3-tech or nose tackle should add to his appeal as a return depth candidate up front.
Josh Onujiogu, EDGE
A tendon injury in his elbow cost Onujiogu the entire 2023 season and with a new coaching staff incoming, it remains unknown if he will be retained or not.
Brady Russell, TE
An early season addition off Philadelphia's practice squad, Russell made seven tackles on special teams. With Fant and Parkinson both being free agents, he may be kept for depth purposes as well as his special teams talents.
Ty Okada, S
Dressing for five games late in the season, Okada got his first taste of NFL action after spending most of his rookie season on Seattle's practice squad. Without knowing Jamal Adams' future, re-signing him for continued development makes sense.
Patrick O'Connell, LB
After an excellent college career at Montana, O'Connell suited up for one game and made one tackle. Due to the potential departures at linebacker, it's a strong possibility he returns for a second season.
