The Seahawks' Next Cap Casualty Could Be a Fan Favorite

The Seattle Seahawks still have a long offseason ahead of them, where they may have to cut two fan favorites to save salary cap space.

Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Seattle Seahawks have been busy in the nearly two months of the offseason as they have been focused on retaining their own players. They’ve also been busy making wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba the highest-paid non-quarterback offensive player in league history. The Seahawks have plans to make his fellow draftmate in cornerback Devon Witherspoon, a luxurious, extensive contract. Seattle anticipates giving Witherspoon his new extension sometime during training camp. 

The Seahawks still have the eighth most salary cap space available in the top-51 at $34.1 million and a total cap space of $14.3 million, which is ninth in the league. This means the Seahawks have room to make more moves this offseason and beyond. They can help extend Witherspoon and sign more players, but it could get them into a danger zone with their salary cap. If the Seahawks want to make some moves, they might have to make casualty cuts on some fan favorites.

Quarterback Drew Lock 

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

In this day of teams being desperate for quarterbacks, Drew Lock could be a player that a team desperately needs as a bridge quarterback or an emergency quarterback. In his lone season back in Seattle, Locke became part of a Super Bowl-winning team and learned under a solid offense. 

Lock is entering the second-year of a $5 million deal. If the Seahawks cut Lock before June 1, they would have only a dead cap hit of $500,000 while saving $2.25 million this offseason. The move would give the Seahawks some money, allow Lock to contend for playing time somewhere else, and it allows incoming second-year quarterback Jalen Milroe to back up Sam Darnold. 

Defensive Tackle Jarran Reed 

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jarran Reed is the most established and veteran player on the Seahawks. He has played with the Legion of Boom and the Dark Side Defense. Even at 33 years old, Reed is still putting up great numbers and establishing a great presence along the elite defensive line. His time might be coming to an end soon in Seattle, and he is likely going to retire.

Reed also signed a three-year, $25 million extension with the Seahawks going into this past season. If the Seahawks need to make upgrades to the roster and make current sacrifices, Reed might be a post-June 1 cut candidate. If he is released after June 1st, the Seahawks would have a dead cap hit of $3.5 million this offseason and $1.7 million next season. Seattle would, however, save $3.88 million this offseason.

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