The NFL year — i.e., free agency and the trading period — begins in four weeks, but the business of rebuilding teams already has begun as clubs re-sign and release players.
The Seahawks haven’t made any big moves yet — although Marshawn Lynch’s pending retirement will save them $6.5 million vs. the 2016 salary cap — but they surely are watching other teams’ transactions with great interest.
Recent contract extensions have established the markets for Michael Bennett (who is expected to push hard for a raise) and Bruce Irvin; a few teams have parted company with safeties, making them potential trade destinations for Kam Chancellor; and some veteran offensive linemen already have been released as well.
The best center in franchise history says the Seahawks need veteran linemen, and he should know: He was the pivot on the best line in team history — the 2001-05 group that also included All-Pros Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson and savvy vet Chris Gray, a quartet that started 65 games together during that stretch (Hutch missed 12 in 2002, and Jones sat out three in holdouts).
When Russell Okung suffered a dislocated shoulder in the playoff loss to Carolina, it seemed a sad but fitting end to his injury-filled Seahawks career.
CHAWK TALK: Everything being said about the Seahawks 