As free agency looms ever closer, the scuttlebutt is heating up and the drama is building.

The latest for the Seahawks, based on various reputable reports:

• Rashid Shaheed is their top priority, but they have not offered enough to keep him from testing the market.
• Kenneth Walker III could get as much as $16 million a year.
• Tyler Allgeier is indeed on Seattle’s radar as a possible replacement for Walker and the injured Zach Charbonnet.
• At pass rusher, a cheaper option than Maxx Crosby may have emerged.

Let’s break it down.

Shaheed heading to free agency

As we expected, Shaheed is the top priority among Seattle’s six main UFAs, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. But Shaheed is going to test the market next week, Adam Schefter reported.

He likely can get $15 million from someone – the Raiders and Bills are purported to be big potential suitors. One agent told ESPN’s Brady Henderson it could go as high as $18 million.

We think $12 million is Seattle’s preferred cap for him. So, $18 million would indeed represent a massive gap.

If Shaheed does leave, it would be a rare recent fail by John Schneider in keeping a midseason trade pickup. He was able to sign both Leonard Williams and Ernest Jones IV after acquiring them.

The Hawks have Tory Horton coming off an injury-shortened rookie season, and he certainly has similar abilities to Shaheed. The key for Horton will be staying healthy. We were concerned after he was drafted that he could end up being like Paul Richardson, a talented but fragile receiver. If the Hawks cannot re-sign Shaheed, they will have to hope Horton can become more durable. They also might be more inclined to look at receivers in the draft – if not this year then next, when Cooper Kupp likely will be leaving.

Walker could net a 4

Walker could get up to $16 million, per Albert Breer. That would be almost double what Seattle seems interested in paying.

It also likely would make Walker worth a fourth-rounder in the 2027 COMPetition.

If the Hawks lose Walker, Shaheed, Riq Woolen, Boye Mafe and Coby Bryant, that would be five qualifying comp picks. Four is the maximum a team can get, so adding a running back and maybe a pass rusher in free agency would still leave Seattle with three comps (maybe two 4s and a 5) in 2027. That is probably what Schneider is aiming for.

Allgeier among RB options

We mentioned Allgeier previously, and Schefter and Corbin Smith both report that the Atlanta free agent is indeed on Seattle’s radar.

Allgeier’s market is said to be in the $7 million range, which is perfect for Seattle.

Lots of fans think he is “Zach Charbonnet 2.0” – as if that is a bad thing. To us, that is a great thing. Who doesn’t love really good football players?

Allgeier has missed just one game in his four seasons and has never lost a fumble. He has averaged 4.7 yards per rush twice in those four seasons. He is a strong, decisive runner who would seem to be exactly what Mike Macdonald wants for his run-focused offense.

With Charbs likely to miss half of next season, the Hawks need a dependable guy who can move the chains. Allgeier would be that.

Kenneth Gainwell, late of the Steelers, is another guy Schefter mentioned. He is more of a third-down back, with his ability to catch the ball. He figures to be cheaper than Allgeier, but also a different back.

The Seahawks reportedly could be in on both players because of that.

Crosby alternative: Vikings’ Greenard?

At least a quarter of the teams in the NFL apparently have interest in Crosby. The Raiders seem to be holding firm to the ask of two first-rounders right now, but that very well could change by Monday.

NFL insiders think a trade will happen this week, because teams want closure on his status so they can move on with their free agency plans Monday.

Schneider surely has checked in with the Raiders yet again (it would be at least the third time, by most accounts), but we don’t think he would want to surrender two firsts. And other teams have better draft capital to offer either way, so it seems a long shot that Seattle would get Crosby.

A very good backup option has emerged, with word that Minnesota is looking to offload star pass rusher Jonathan Greenard.

Greenard’s 2025 season was cut short by a shoulder injury, but he put up 24.5 sacks in the two seasons before that (12.5 for Houston and 12 for Minnesota).

Schneider reportedly has had prior interest in Greenard, and he reportedly has joined half the league in inquiring this time. The Vikings reportedly would like a Day 2 pick, but they also are trying to offload his contract – he is due $19 million each of the next two years. The Hawks might be able to swing a deal using their third-rounder and getting back a fifth or sixth.

If the Hawks don’t get Crosby or Greenard, they likely would add just a cheap vet (maybe a guy who was cut, so their comps are not affected). We don’t think the Hawks are going to want to pay Trey Hendrickson or any other free-agent pass rusher big money.