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Seattle Seahawks News & Rumors

Seahawks Waive CB Sidney Jones

November 1st, 2022 at 4:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the Cowboys’ decision to cut Trysten Hill minutes after the trade deadline, the Seahawks made a similar call. After attempting to trade Sidney Jones, the team moved on from the veteran cornerback.

Jones has played just 45 defensive snaps this season, which brought a major change to his status with the team. The Seahawks have seen rookies Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant step into key gigs, leaving Jones as an odd man out during this surprising start. The Seahawks attempted to shop Jones in October.

Although Jones is a vested veteran, he will head to waivers because the trade deadline passed. The former second-round pick was an 11-game starter for the Seahawks in 2021, when the Jaguars dealt the ex-Washington Huskies standout back to the Pacific Northwest. The Seahawks let D.J. Reed walk in free agency, seemingly clearing a wider path for Jones. But it did not lead to a repeat starter role.

Jones, 26, sustained a concussion on August 3, leading to him sitting out the preseason. He returned for Week 1 but only played in two more games this season. Woolen, Bryant and Michael Jackson have been Seattle’s primary corners this season, relegating veterans like Jones, Artie Burns and the recently re-signed Justin Coleman to backup posts. Burns and Coleman remain with the team, but Jones will be on the move.

The Eagles drafted Jones in 2017, doing so after a pre-draft Achilles tear damaged his stock. A 2020 Jaguars stay helped move Jones back onto the starter radar, leading the Seahawks to trade a 2022 sixth-round pick for the former area prospect. It will be interesting to see if any team claims his contract, which has just less than $1MM in 2022 base salary remaining. Jones’ deal runs through 2023.

NFC Contract Restructures: Harty, Jackson

October 30th, 2022 at 10:57pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are two recent contract restructures from around the NFC:

  • Deonte Harty, WR (Saints): Harty recently restructured his one-year, $3.99MM contract with New Orleans to open up about $1.74MM in cap space, according to Field Yates of ESPN. The restructured deal contains four voidable years, a now common trait in Saints’ contracts meant to assist with cap space. Harty, who changed his surname from Harris in 2021 to honor his stepfather, has been with the Saints since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2019. As a rookie, Harty carved out a role for himself in the return game and led the NFL in punt return yardage. He was named an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler that year and went on the serve as the Saints’ primary return man for the next two seasons while also adding growing contributions on offense. Unfortunately, this year, Harty has been bitten by a turf toe injury that has landed him on injured reserve. Reports have indicated that the injury could potentially keep Harty out for the rest of the season, leading to the agreement to restructure. In his absence, another undrafted rookie, Rashid Shaheed, has taken over Harty’s role on offense and special teams.
  • Gabe Jackson, G (Seahawks): Jackson and the Seahawks recently agreed to a restructured deal that clears up $1.5MM of cap space, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. The longtime Raider was traded to the Seahawks last year where he signed a three-year, $22.58MM extension. Jackson’s restructure likely has nothing to do with injury, though he did miss two games with a hip flexor injury before returning this week against the Giants. It’s likely just a team-friendly move to clear up some cap space. Jackson was one of only six players on the Seahawks with a base salary higher than $2.5MM and three of the other players are in a contract year, which limited Seattle’s restructuring options. In the end, the team converted $3.5MM of Jackson’s 2022 salary into a signing bonus that will be prorated over the remainder of his contract. The move frees up a little space for Seattle ahead of the trade deadline, but, likely, it’s just a move to help cover practice squad elevations and injuries for the remainder of the year.

Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf Suffers Knee Injury

October 30th, 2022 at 3:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 30: Metcalf was able to practice for the first time on Friday, and the team announced earlier today that he will play against the Giants. The same is true of Lockett, meaning that Seattle will surprisingly have each of the top wideouts available when they host New York.

OCTOBER 24: The Seahawks’ win over the Chargers on Sunday appeared to come at a significant cost, as receiver D.K. Metcalf was carted off the field with a knee injury. Subsequent testing has revealed that the worst-case scenario has been avoided, however.

X-Rays came back negative immediately following the game, as confirmed by head coach Pete Carroll. Another update came on Monday, when an MRI revealed that Metcalf suffered a patellar tendon injury. That represents a positive development, as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweets that surgery will not be required at this time.

Metcalf will instead attempt to rehab the injury. While the 24-year-old stated an intention of returning to practice on Wednesday, Carroll quickly downplayed the chances of that happening. Pelissero adds that there is no timetable in place regarding Metcalf’s recovery. More testing is likely to come.

While this news is generally positive, any absence from Metcalf would be detrimental to Seattle’s passing attack. Despite transitioning from Russell Wilson to Geno Smith at quarterback, the one-time Pro Bowler has averaged 59.7 receiving yards per game in 2022. That figure ranks second in his career, and slightly ahead of his 967-yard, 12-touchdown campaign last year.

On the back of his three years of production, the Ole Miss product staged a hold-in during the summer. The move fell in line with that of a number of other extension-eligible players, and resulted in a three-year, $72MM deal which includes more than $58MM guaranteed. Overall, Metcalf ranks second on the Seahawks with 418 receiving yards this season.

The former second-rounder has yet to miss a game in his NFL career, something which is very likely to change in the coming days. An extended stay on the sidelines would deal a considerable blow to the Seahawks’ 15th-ranked passing game, and place a larger burden on leading receiver Tyler Lockett and tight ends Will Dissly and Noah Fant. Marquise Goodwin would likely step into a starter’s role in place of Metcalf.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/29/22

October 29th, 2022 at 5:51pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the minor moves leading into Sunday’s slate of games:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

2022 NFL Cap Space, By Team

October 28th, 2022 at 12:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Days away from this year’s trade deadline (3pm CT, Nov. 1), a few teams have made some in-season moves to bolster their rosters. Several squads have also restructured contracts this season to create additional space. That extra room will matter as most teams will consider adding or subtracting costs before Tuesday’s deadline.

Here is how teams’ cap-space numbers (courtesy of OverTheCap) look ahead of the deadline:

  1. Cleveland Browns: $33.72MM
  2. Las Vegas Raiders: $10.35MM
  3. Carolina Panthers: $9.79MM
  4. Atlanta Falcons: $9.71MM
  5. Philadelphia Eagles: $9.47MM
  6. Denver Broncos: $7.79MM
  7. Pittsburgh Steelers: $7.69MM
  8. Indianapolis Colts: $7.23MM
  9. Dallas Cowboys: $7.16MM
  10. Chicago Bears: $7.08MM
  11. Green Bay Packers: $6.6MM
  12. Miami Dolphins: $6.16MM
  13. New York Jets: $5.71MM
  14. Los Angeles Chargers: $4.97MM
  15. San Francisco 49ers: $4.95MM
  16. Los Angeles Rams: $4.93MM
  17. Arizona Cardinals: $4.76MM
  18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $4.3MM
  19. Washington Commanders: $4.26MM
  20. Kansas City Chiefs: $3.86MM
  21. Seattle Seahawks: $3.71MM
  22. Jacksonville Jaguars: $3.67MM
  23. New Orleans Saints: $3.61MM
  24. Cincinnati Bengals: $3.31MM
  25. New York Giants: $3.26MM
  26. Detroit Lions: $3.25MM
  27. Baltimore Ravens: $3.07MM
  28. New England Patriots: $2.19MM
  29. Houston Texans: $2.09MM
  30. Buffalo Bills: $1.93MM
  31. Tennessee Titans: $1.59MM
  32. Minnesota Vikings: $852K

The Browns have held the top spot for months, and the gulf between their cap-space figure and the field almost certainly stems from a desire to carry over cap space before Deshaun Watson‘s cap number spikes from $9.4MM to a runaway-record $54.99MM. Cleveland has recently been linked to creating more cap space. Interest has come in for Greedy Williams, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, and Kareem Hunt. Although the Browns did not grant Hunt’s summer trade request, it may now take only a fourth-round pick for Cleveland to deal its backup running back.

Another potential seller could move up on this list while creating some additional space in 2023. The Broncos are believed to have made Jerry Jeudy available. Unlike fellow trade chip Bradley Chubb, Jeudy is under contract for 2023 (on a $4.83MM cap number). Denver appears more likely to move Chubb. That departure would remove the franchise tag from the team’s equation in 2023 — barring a tag for fellow 2023 UFA-to-be Dre’Mont Jones — thus freeing up more free agency funds. It will be interesting if the Broncos, if they are to move Chubb, agree to eat much of his fifth-year option salary. George Paton‘s club took on most of Von Miller‘s 2021 money to increase draft compensation.

The Eagles are still near the top despite acquiring Robert Quinn. Philadelphia is paying just $684K of Quinn’s contract, which now runs through 2022 instead of 2024. Chicago is on the hook for $7.1MM. The Bears are on track to have a gargantuan lead on the field for 2023 cap space. They are projected to hold more than $125MM next year, according to OverTheCap.

New Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney checks in at just $784K on their 2022 cap sheet. The former Giants first-rounder’s figures bump to $1.9MM (2023) and $2.53MM (’24). Kansas City recently restructured Travis Kelce‘s deal, creating some wiggle room for the Toney addition. The Chiefs, who did not touch Patrick Mahomes‘ deal this year, restructured Kelce’s contract twice in 2022. Thursday’s trade hit the Giants with a $2.33MM dead-money charge. Toney will count $3.67MM in dead money for the Giants in 2023.

The Panthers picked up nearly $19MM in 2022 dead money via the Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey trades. Unlike the Eagles and Bears, last week’s Panthers-49ers McCaffrey swap did not involve Carolina taking on additional salary. McCaffrey’s offseason restructure dropped his 2022 base salary to the league minimum; the 49ers have him on their books at just $690K. McCaffrey’s record-setting extension will still represent $18.35MM in dead money on the Panthers’ 2023 cap, but his nonguaranteed base salaries from 2023-25 ($11.8MM, $11.8MM, $12MM) transferred fully from Carolina to San Francisco.

On the subject of 2022 dead money, the Bears lead the way with $80.32MM. The Falcons added to their total this month, however, by trading Deion Jones to the Browns. That deal saddled the Falcons with $11.38MM in additional dead money — accompanying the franchise’s record-setting Matt Ryan dead-money hit ($40.53MM) — and ballooned Atlanta’s overall total to $78.57MM. Ryan is off the Falcons’ books after this year, but Jones will carry a $12.14MM dead-money figure in 2023.

Seahawks Sign LB Alexander Johnson, Activate DE L.J. Collier From IR

October 26th, 2022 at 2:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

A three-year starter with the Broncos, Alexander Johnson did not generate much free agency interest this offseason. Despite past production, the veteran defender lingered on the market for seven-plus months. The Seahawks will provide another opportunity.

Seattle is adding Johnson to its practice squad, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. The team also activated L.J. Collier from injured reserve. Wednesday marked the final day Collier could hold an IR-return designation. The former first-rounder remaining on IR after today would have meant his season was over. The Seahawks also signed wide receiver Kevin Kassis to their P-squad.

Only a four-year veteran, Johnson is nearing his 31st birthday. An off-field issue delayed the off-ball linebacker’s NFL entrance, but he produced once bumped into Denver’s starting lineup early in Vic Fangio‘s tenure. Pro Football Focus consistently graded Johnson as one of the league’s top off-ball ‘backers. The Tennessee alum posted 124 tackles in his most recent full season (2020), helping Fangio’s defense particularly against the run. Johnson joined offseason Seahawk trade acquisition Shelby Harris as key Fangio-era starters in Denver.

An injury also affected Johnson’s market. After placing a second-round RFA tender on Johnson last year, the Broncos moved on following the linebacker’s torn pec. Denver lost both its primary off-ball starters last season, but its new regime re-signed Josey Jewell over Johnson. With Seattle DC Clint Hurtt being a Fangio disciple, Johnson could prove a fit.

The Seahawks moved on from Bobby Wagner this offseason, giving Cody Barton a starting job alongside Jordyn Brooks. While Brooks continues to work as an every-down player, Barton has seen his role diminish somewhat in recent weeks. Tanner Muse, Nick Bellore and Cullen Gillaspia reside as the backup linebackers on Seattle’s 53-man roster.

Seattle also designated cornerback Tre Brown and running back Travis Homer to return from IR, Condotta adds (via Twitter). Each is back at practice Wednesday.

Brown has been out since November 2021 due to a knee injury. The 2021 fourth-round pick started three games as a rookie, but the Seahawks have made some changes at the position since Brown last played. They have used two 2022 draftees — Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant — as regulars. Homer, who has been with the Seahawks since 2019, suffered a rib injury against the Falcons in Week 3. Kenneth Walker has taken over as Seattle’s lead back, but Homer has been a backup presence and special teams regular since 2019.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/25/22

October 25th, 2022 at 8:12pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: P Nolan Cooney, LB Forrest Rhyne
  • Released: WR DeMichael Harris, CB Ryan Smith

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

  • Signed: TE Andre Miller

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/22/22

October 22nd, 2022 at 4:45pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the league’s minor moves going into Week 7:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Trade Notes: Gesicki, Hawks, Commanders

October 20th, 2022 at 8:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki recently emerged as a potential trade candidate. The tight end doesn’t seem overly focused on the latest rumblings, telling reporters that he hasn’t asked the front office for clarity about the report.

“No,” Gesicki responded when asked if he’s reached out to the Dolphins (h/t Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post). “I mean, I think I just kind of like I said, I just kind of go about my business. Whatever happens, happens. And I’ve been here for five years now. I love it here. I’m happy to be here. And if I stay here, which I mean, I would assume, I would. I’m excited to continue to be here, make plays and you know, help the team win and move forward and all that kind of stuff for the rest of season.”

Gesicki is coming off his best game of the season, with the tight end hauling in six catches for 69 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Vikings. However, the 27-year-old has been limited to only 101 yards in his other five appearances, with receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle commanding the bulk of the targets. Despite his inconsistent offensive role, Gesicki made it clear that he hasn’t asked for a trade.

“Nah,” Gesicki said when asked if he’s requested a trade.” I mean, I think these coaches also understand what I’m capable of. And I think, you know, Sunday was a good, you know, showing of that just, you know, a couple of opportunities to go out there and make plays. And that was my thing. I don’t know when the opportunity is gonna come, but I gotta keep preparing as if they’re gonna come.”

More trade notes from around the NFL…

  • The Seahawks have made cornerback Sidney Jones available, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. While the organization would prefer to keep the veteran, they’re willing to listen to offers with Jones buried on the depth chart. Michael Jackson and Tariq Woolen are holding down the fort as the outside cornerbacks, and Tre Brown will eventually work his way back into the lineup. Jones is playing on a one-year deal following a career season in 2021. In 16 games (11 starts) for Seattle, the cornerback compiled 66 tackles and 10 passes defended.
  • Speaking of Seattle, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times can’t envision the Seahawks making a significant move at the trade deadline. While Seattle has made deadline moves in the past, the team currently seems focused on building their core from within. The team also has little cap space to work with, making a big splash unlikely.
  • Following his benching in Week 5, it was reported that Commanders cornerback William Jackson could be looking for a fresh start elsewhere. However, the defensive back denied reports that he wants to be traded (per ESPN’s John Keim on Twitter). Jackson was ruled out for Week 6 with a back injury, and it sounds like he’s unlikely to play in Week 7. Jackson is attached to a three-year, $40.5MM deal, but teams have expressed interest ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline.
  • The Panthers were planning to cut Robbie Anderson before they found a taker in the Cardinals, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter). Considering the prospect of just eating his salary, the Panthers made out well in the deal, securing a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick from Arizona.

NFL Workouts: Ross, Austin, Butler

October 19th, 2022 at 8:35pm CST by Ely Allen

Despite adding star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins back to the active roster and acquiring former Panthers wide out Robbie Anderson for a pair of draft picks, the Cardinals worked out another receiver yesterday in John Ross, according to Field Yates of ESPN. While many viewed Anderson as a replacement for the lost production of draft day acquisition Marquise Brown, who faces a potential multi-week absence, the speedy Ross would be a better match, in terms of skill set, to team up with diminutive wide outs Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch to replace Brown’s ability.

A former top ten draft pick for the Bengals in 2017, Ross is widely considered not to have lived up to his draft stock. After missing the majority of his rookie season with knee and shoulder issues, Ross was still able to salvage some bright spots in his second and third seasons, reaching career highs for touchdowns with seven in 2018 and receiving yards with 506 in 2019. Despite showing some promise, injuries continued to drag the young wide out down. Over the final two years of his contract, Ross missed 21 games, leading him towards free agency. He signed with the Giants last year and appeared in 10 games, catching 11 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown.

Here are a couple of other workouts reported around the league, starting with Brown’s former home in Baltimore:

  • After losing second-year wide receiver Rashod Bateman to injury for the past two weeks, the Ravens were looking to add some receiving depth recently, as well. This desire resulted in the practice squad addition of veteran DeSean Jackson, but, according to Yates, Baltimore auditioned another veteran wide out in Tavon Austin. The former long-time Ram has spent the last four seasons since leaving Los Angeles with three other teams. Austin has seen quite a down-sized role since his heyday as a starter with the Rams, but showed a big-play ability in Dallas, averaging 15.1 yards per reception as a Cowboy three seasons ago. With Jackson now on the practice squad, Austin will likely have to keep searching for his fifth NFL squad.
  • The Seahawks worked out a former first round pick in defensive tackle Vernon Butler yesterday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Butler waited until the final year of his rookie contract with the Panthers to play up to his draft stock, racking up 6.0 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, 32 tackles, and three forced fumbles, which all still stand as career highs by quite a bit. Butler signed a two-year contract with the Bills after leaving Carolina but failed to match the production from his best year with the Panthers. He’s available after failing to make the Raiders’ final 53-man roster and looks to add some depth to a minorly banged up Seahawks defensive line.
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