The Seahawks will retain one of their backup offensive linemen. They are keeping Phil Haynes off the market, announcing a new deal for the veteran guard Tuesday.
Haynes was on track to become an unrestricted free agent next month. Instead, he is now signed through the 2023 season. It will be interesting to see what terms emerge here, with Haynes having played extensively during his contract year.
The Seahawks still have starter Gabe Jackson under contract; he remains tied to the three-year, $22.6MM deal he signed following his 2021 trade to Seattle. But cap-casualty rumors have encircled the longtime starter.
A Seahawks fourth-round pick in 2019, Haynes started three games last season and played 485 offensive snaps. Haynes and Jackson regularly rotated at right guard. Jackson has still started 31 of a possible 34 games during his Seattle tenure, but he is going into an age-32 season. The Seahawks can save $6.5MM by releasing the former Raiders cog.
Shortly after Seattle’s season ended, Pete Carroll praised Haynes and said the Wake Forest alum “could be a real factor” for the team going forward. Haynes has come a long way. Although he now has five career starts, he played just one offensive snap from 2019-20. Pro Football Focus rated both Haynes and Jackson outside its top 50 at guard last season, slotting Haynes 56th and Jackson 60th. Both checked in well behind left guard Damien Lewis (11th).
Even if Jackson remains in the fold, Haynes should be expected to have a shot to compete for the position opposite Lewis, who has two years left on his rookie deal.
Goodbye Gabe Jackson.
Nice depth piece. Still hope the seahawks lose 12 games