Category Archives: Trades

No deal for Thomas? Expect a trade then

Salary cap logoWe never thought the Seahawks would dump Michael Bennett or Richard Sherman this offseason, simply because it made no sense to do so. But they did. And now it looks like Earl Thomas will follow them, even if that makes no sense either.

For most of this offseason, the word on Thomas has been that the Seahawks want to keep him but would accept a very favorable trade.

At the owners meetings in Orlando, John Schneider again reiterated the Seahawks are listening to offers for the safety, but he also strongly hinted he is not inclined to give a second extension to Thomas.

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Bennett trade will not be voided

No, the Seahawks are not going to have to take back Michael Bennett in a trade void.

That’s the quick answer to questions posed by fans of both the Eagles and Seahawks in light of the indictment of Bennett on a sketchy-sounding assault charge over an incident at Super Bowl LI.

Some conspiracy-theory fools have insinuated that the Seahawks knew about the case and tried to scam the Eagles. That is pure nonsense, of course. John Schneider does not play like that, and everyone in the NFL knows it (even if some fans and media do not).

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Is Schneider planning big offensive additions?

Logo -- Free agencyJohn Schneider is getting ready to make a couple of big moves next week.

That’s the only explanation for him wanting to cut Richard Sherman’s $11 million salary.

The question: Whom is he targeting?

One NFC personnel exec thinks he plans to spend on offense. By lopping high-priced defensive players, “they could allocate money to the offense, get Russell (Wilson) some help and some protection,” the pro personnel director told SI.com.

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Bye-bye, Bennett

Bennett thumbs-upFifteen months after giving Michael Bennett a new contract, the Seahawks are going to trade him.

Why? Not because his play has dropped off, obviously. More likely because they want to get younger and “quieter” in the locker room.

Seattle didn’t get much for the Pro Bowl end — a fifth and fast, young receiver Marcus Johnson (while flipping a seventh to Philadelphia as well). One report indicated the Patriots tried to offer a third for Bennett and a fifth, but it sounds like the Seahawks had a deal with the Eagles before the Patriots came along and the Seahawks didn’t want to renege on the Eagles.

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Schneider should tag Sheldon today

Logo -- Free agencyJohn Schneider has been a gambling man plenty of times in the past, and here’s a gamble he really needs to make today: Use the franchise tag on Sheldon Richardson.

Schneider has a base 75 percent chance of winning a tag gamble. The only negative would come if Richardson insisted on signing and playing on the $13.9 million tender. That seems very unlikely, which leaves three winning scenarios for Schneider: (1) Strike a long-term deal, (2) trade him for a Day 2 pick (and something else), (3) rescind the tag, let Richardson leave in free agency and end up with a high comp pick in 2019.

At the Combine last Friday, Schneider said he needed to “figure out how to compensate” for Seattle’s gaping hole on Day 2 of the draft. Trading 32-year-old Michael Bennett won’t do it. But tagging Richardson likely would — whether he stays or goes.

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Schneider: ‘We are just open to anything’

Schneider at combine“We’re going to be in every deal. … You don’t want to miss any opportunity.” — John Schneider

John Schneider is using every element of the Combine to try to improve his Seahawks this weekend. That includes soliciting offers from teams on some of his veteran stars.

“Part of our challenge right now … is sustaining our level of success that we’ve had,” Schneider said. “And we are just open to anything.”

The Seahawks are shopping Michael Bennett, and some expect Earl Thomas to be traded as well (Schneider met with his reps Thursday night).

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Possible destinations for Bennett in a trade

Bennett thanks the football godsAt this point, it seems pretty clear that the Seahawks are going to part ways with Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Bennett — a stalwart of the best era in team history.

John Schneider reportedly is shopping Bennett at the Combine, apparently set on trying to get something for the 32-year-old while he still has some value — and before the Seahawks have to pay a $3 million roster bonus March 18.

Why would any team trade for him? Because he can still play — as his 8.5 sacks in 2017 amid a serious foot injury can attest. He also would be a cheap pickup this year, costing a team just $5.65 million. His salaries are just $6 million in 2019 and $7.5 million in 2020 — and any acquiring team can get out with no cap ramifications.

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Schneider should talk to Browns’ Dorsey

Pic -- Schneider at CombineIt’s no surprise to hear: John Schneider reportedly will feel out the trade market for Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas at the Combine — gauging whether any team might be interested in offering anything that would make Schneider consider a deal.

Asked about a possible trade, Sherman told FOX Business, “You’ve got to ask the general manager. I’ve heard nothing of the sort of being moved or anything like that, but that’s totally up to the GM and front office.”

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Brown: ‘We’ve got a good thing going’

Duane BrownDuane Brown was pleasantly surprised by the supportive culture of the Seahawks when he arrived last November, and he said, “We’ve got a good thing going” — a reference to the club both on the field and off.

Speaking on former teammate Arian Foster’s podcast, Brown recounted the deterioration of his relationship with the Texans’ front office, the perceived racism of good ol’ boy owner Bob McNair over the years, Brown’s final-straw holdout and the trade the day after the Texans played in Seattle.

“It was too far gone, and the departure was needed,” Brown said. “It had nothing to do with me wanting to get out of Houston or leave my teammates. Not at all.

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Sherman will be a Seahawk in 2018, unless …

Sherman AchillesOf course Richard Sherman is going to play next season. There was never any question about that. He merely confirmed it Thursday night.

There probably isn’t a question about where he will play either — not with him coming off an Achilles injury. Even he said he had no doubt he would be a Seahawk in 2018.

The Seahawks certainly will not cut him, as we said in November after he was injured. And, due to the injury, he probably won’t draw any good trade offers. So the Hawks will be content to help him rehab and prove his mettle again at age 30. And then decide whether to re-sign him in 2019.

But, worth considering: If some team were willing to offer a second-round pick or even a third, would John Schneider take it?

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