Russell Wilson and Jamal Adams have resided as the Seahawks’ top priorities this offseason, but the team has not forgotten about its Pro Bowl left tackle. Duane Brown joined Adams in not participating at the team’s minicamp, though the veteran blocker did attend while the All-Pro safety stayed away.
Also joining Adams in a contract year, Brown is pursuing an extension. The Seahawks, who traded for the former Texans first-round pick during the 2017 season, appear onboard with such an approach. Although Brown is going into his age-36 season, Pete Carroll is open to keeping him beyond 2021.
“He’s a big part of what we’re doing and we’re counting on him being with us. We’ll look down the road together and we’ll see what’s the right thing to do,’’ Carroll said, via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta. “… We would love for him to be with us. If he wants to keep playing, we want him to keep playing.”
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The 14th-year lineman has delivered upper-echelon left tackle play for the Seahawks, and Wilson made upgrading the team’s offensive line an issue earlier this year. Seattle acquired Gabe Jackson via trade, but Brown remains the team’s most accomplished blocker. Pro Football Focus tabbed him as the league’s fifth-best tackle last season.
Exiting minicamp, Brown’s $11.5MM-per-year deal ranks 16th among left tackles. None of the tackles ahead of Brown on the salary list are older than him, however. Brown’s age should cap his earning potential on a fourth contract, but he should be able to secure additional guarantees in the near future. No guaranteed money remains on his 2018 extension.
Another extension would also create cap space, reducing Brown’s $13.3MM 2021 cap number, that would help with an Adams extension. The Seahawks currently have just more than $8MM in cap space.