Category Archives: Trades

The roster, Trades

Is Howell a trade for Hasselbeck — or for Whitehurst?

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As fans across social media debate the Sam Howell trade, perhaps the best way to frame the discussion is thus: Did the Seahawks just trade for Matt Hasselbeck or did they trade for Charlie Whitehurst?

In other words, did they add a potential franchise passer or a second-tier backup? Or maybe something in between?

A few weeks ago, we set the table for the transition from holdover quarterback Geno Smith to a new QB who becomes Mike Macdonald’s guy. In that post, we retraced how Mike Holmgren landed Hasselbeck in Year 3 (2001) and how John Schneider took a swing on Whitehurst in his first year (2010), missed and didn’t get his QB until Year 3 either.

Hasselbeck turned into a franchise savior while Whitehurst was merely Clipboard Jesus. Which might Howell be?

Continue reading Is Howell a trade for Hasselbeck — or for Whitehurst? →
The roster, Trades

Schneider ‘tired’ of trade criticism, but Adams was his worst bust

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Jamal Adams’ long anticipated release this week ended the worst trade/signing of John Schneider’s 14-year tenure in Seattle.

We actually had written off Adams 18 months ago, when he suffered a season-ending quadriceps injury in the 2022 season opener against Russell Wilson and the Broncos. So, for us, his release this week was just the official word on what we expected to happen ever since that Monday night game.

This is the result some feared from the day in July 2020 that Schneider sent two first-rounders and more to the Jets for the All-Pro safety. Those people hated the trade and dreaded the extension that was soon to come, suspecting it would be a waste of money. They were right.

Schneider still defends the deal as the way to go amid the pandemic in 2020. He is annoyed that people are criticizing the trade, which cost Seattle the 23rd and 86th picks in 2021 and the 10th pick in 2022.

Continue reading Schneider ‘tired’ of trade criticism, but Adams was his worst bust →
NFL Combine, The roster, Trades

Smith reportedly won’t be traded, but will Schneider draft a quarterback?

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John Schneider apparently did not find much trade interest in Geno Smith at the Combine – at least that’s the conclusion we are drawing from a report that the Seahawks have told Smith he will be on the roster in 2024.

Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, “The Seahawks have informed Geno Smith he will be on the roster in 2024 under his current contract. I’m told Smith has received commitment from Seattle’s front office.”

That is something that had seemed in doubt this week as both Mike Macdonald and Schneider had indicated no firm commitment to the 33-year-old quarterback.

But, based on the Schultz report, Smith seems set to start for a third season in Seattle. That doesn’t preclude the Hawks from making other moves at the position, of course.

Continue reading Smith reportedly won’t be traded, but will Schneider draft a quarterback? →
NFL Combine, Trades

‘The starter until he’s not’: Is a trade viable?

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“That’s a tough question, and it’s one that I probably can’t answer right now.” – Mike Macdonald on whether Geno Smith and Drew Lock will be on the team

Mike Macdonald seemed to answer the question raised by the Seahawks’ conversion of Geno Smith’s bonus last week: A trade is not off the table.

In an interview aired Sunday, KCPQ’s Aaron Levine asked the new coach, “Are Geno Smith and Drew Lock both involved in the future of this team going forward?”

Macdonald said, “That’s a tough question, and it’s one that I probably can’t answer right now. We’re doing a lot of work on those guys.

“Right now we’re in the phase of figuring out who they are. Obviously one or two or both would fit into our plan moving forward, but right now I probably don’t have that answer for you.”

At the Combine two days later, John Schneider also was noncommittal, saying Smith is “the starter until he’s not.”

Continue reading ‘The starter until he’s not’: Is a trade viable? →
The roster, Trades

Is a Geno trade coming?

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Geno Smith is still the Seahawks’ quarterback, but there certainly are signs that he might not be for a whole lot longer – if John Schneider gets a trade offer he likes.

It was no surprise Smith was still on the roster as of Feb. 16, which triggered the guarantee on his $12.7 million salary. That means he will be Seattle’s QB in 2024 — unless another team trades for him.

Where does this trade talk come from all of a sudden? Directly: From Adam Schefter. Indirectly: From Mike Macdonald and new OC Ryan Grubb.

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Trades, Week 8: Cleveland

Leonard Williams trade makes good defense better, puts pressure on Geno

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As Pete Carroll is fond of saying – and said again Monday morning – the Seahawks “are always competing.” But, every three years or so, you can count on John Schneider going for it even bigger than usual.

On Monday, Schneider pulled off his first deadline deal since 2020, acquiring Pro Bowl defensive lineman Leonard Williams from the New York Giants in a bid to further strengthen Seattle’s ascending defense. It’s a move that puts even more pressure on Geno Smith to play mistake-free football.

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NFL draft, Trades

This draft’s template was created in 2010

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In some ways, it is 2010 all over again for Pete Carroll and John Schneider.

They have a top-10 pick for the first time since that inaugural year – and they need similar positions: a new QB, a left tackle and some defenders to fit a new scheme.

One thing they don’t have that they had in 2010: a second first-round pick to help hasten their franchise rebuild. But that may be coming, too.

We’ll get to the DK Metcalf trade options in a minute. First, let’s revisit a little history to see how Carroll and Schneider might approach this draft as they build the roster again.

Continue reading This draft’s template was created in 2010 →
The roster, Trades

Metcalf trade always seemed possible; now it looks likely

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We’ve been talking about a possible DK Metcalf trade since December, and now everyone else is catching on to the idea that this could indeed happen — especially as the explosive wide receiver market has surprised John Schneider and the Seahawks.

In the first week of free agency, three receivers got deals worth at least $20 million. Then Davante Adams, who annually is among the three best receivers in the league, topped the market at $22 million per year after he was traded from Green Bay to the Raiders.

Then Tyreek Hill trumped that, getting $25 million a year from Miami as part of a trade from Kansas City.

Metcalf has not earned that much, especially after a disappointing 2021, but he certainly can argue that he should be paid more than the Bucs’ Chris Godwin ($20 million), the Chargers’ Mike Williams ($20 million) or Christian Kirk, whose deal with Jacksonville could be worth $21 million a year.

So, yeah, Metcalf may seek $25 million. And the Seahawks probably don’t want to pay it.

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Free agency, Trades

Quarterback hunt: Mayfield is worth a shot, but who else?

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“We’ll continue to explore options.  … There’s a number of guys still available, and we’re gonna continue to work through that.” – John Schneider on quarterbacks

When it comes to replacing Russell Wilson, the Seahawks basically have three options: (1) Get an experienced, expensive vet to start now; (2) do a repeat of 2012 with Drew Lock battling a rookie and maybe Geno Smith; (3) play for the 2023 draft, expecting Lock to lose more than he wins.

Plenty of fans (call them the Rebuilders) want the latter, but that is not Pete Carroll’s style, especially at age 70.

And it indeed sounds like Carroll and John Schneider prefer Option 1. They reportedly want to add a veteran starter and have reached out to both the Browns and Falcons, about Baker Mayfield and Matt Ryan – plus others.

Continue reading Quarterback hunt: Mayfield is worth a shot, but who else? →
Trades

Reports: Seahawks, Panthers are favorites for Watson

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John Schneider certainly has a plan for replacing Russell Wilson. It sounds like it might start with Deshaun Watson.

The Seahawks reportedly are among at least half a dozen teams who have been doing their research on Watson’s legal situation, which involves accusations by 22 women that he sexually harassed or assaulted them during massage sessions.

A Texas grand jury declined to indict Watson on nine criminal charges related to some of those civil cases, and Watson is now expected to be traded in the next week.

Two reports indicate the Seahawks — to the disappointment of many fans — are a strong favorite in the pursuit of the talented but troubled quarterback.

Continue reading Reports: Seahawks, Panthers are favorites for Watson →