CHAWK LINES, Free agency
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CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Michael Bennett dropped hard-nosed agent Drew Rosenhaus, and nobody knows exactly what that means.

Jeremy Lane, perhaps Seattle’s most enigmatic free agent from a market standpoint, would love to stay in Seattle “if the situation was right.”

Russell Okung told 710 ESPN his shoulder surgery was precautionary and he is still intent on representing himself in free agency.

Jermaine Kearse’s agent has been talking to the Seahawks, and he is not sure whether he will return to Seattle.

J.R. Sweezy is expected to get lots of interest in free agency.

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Free agency, NFL draft

Will Schneider use any of top options to fix OL?

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OsemeleAs the Seahawks plot to rebuild their offensive line this offseason, they appear to face a steep and slippery uphill climb — one where it could be easy to backslide and end up right back where they started.

If the Hawks were forced to play a game today, they could barely field a line with the guys they have under contract. Garry Gilliam likely would move to left tackle, Drew Nowak would return to center, Justin Britt would move back to right tackle, Mark Glowinski would step in at right guard (J.R. Sweezy reportedly is expected to have a hot market in free agency) and Kristjan Sokoli probably would be the de facto left guard.

What an underwhelming, overmatched line that would be, eh?

The offensive line is the one spot where the Seahawks simply have not “competed” well in personnel. In six years, John Schneider has signed just eight free agents — and none have lasted more than a year. He also has drafted just four linemen in the first three rounds — and Britt (a major reach in the second round) is the only one from the past four drafts.

Will Schneider change that this year to get the Seahawks back atop the NFC? Will he be willing to spend resources — money and draft picks — to fix it?

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Contracts, Franchise history, Free agency

Hawks will continue to avoid franchise tag

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Seahawks franchise tagThe franchise tag period runs today through March 1, and the Seahawks will skip it for the sixth straight year.

They have not used the tag since 2010 — the first year of the Pete Carroll/John Schneider regime — when they used it on Olindo Mare.

Schneider has stayed ahead of the curve, avoiding any need for the tag by getting early extensions done with potential franchise players Marshawn Lynch (2012), Kam Chancellor (2013), Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman (2014) and Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner (2015).

They gambled on Michael Bennett in 2014 and ended up re-signing him a day before free agency started — a week after the tag deadline.

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CHAWK LINES, Contracts
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CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Marshawn Lynch might be retiring, but another very significant former Seahawk — 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck — might keep going.

Some Seahawks apparently think Lynch will change his mind. Of course, that would mean he would be playing elsewhere absent a pay cut in Seattle.

Danny Kelly of Field Gulls put together a nice retrospective on Lynch.

Michael Bennett was honored at a local sports ceremony, and he had a few fun digs for Cam Newton.

Fans hilariously think Jermaine Kearse is the Seahawks’ top UFA. They will find out differently soon enough.

Ahtyba Rubin’s market seemingly is set at $4 million per year, thanks to Green Bay and Letroy Guion.

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Contracts, Free agency

Hawks watching other teams’ early moves

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Salary cap logoThe 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.

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Franchise history, It's bigger than football
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CHAWK LINES -- Marshawn Lynch retires

Marshawn Lynch made a unique retirement announcement Sunday and his agent confirmed it Monday.

Lynch is tied for third in NFL history with six 100-yard rushing games in the playoffs.

The Seahawks tweeted a cool video tribute.

We reposted the simulcast of his two greatest runs.

Russell Wilson called it an honor to play with one of the best of all time.

Richard Sherman said it was an honor to share the field with him.

Paul Allen thanked him for a great career and “so many runs and quakes.”

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Free agency, State of the team

This offseason sets up Part III & wide-open 2017

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Salary cap logoWhile a lot of people think the Seahawks face a daunting offseason — with 24 scheduled free agents and decisions to make on Kam Chancellor and Michael Bennett — you can bet John Schneider and Pete Carroll see it for what it really is: A chance for them to reset their still-strong team for Part III of the Schneider/Carroll era so they can win a couple more Super Bowls.

Part I included the building years of 2010-12, when they put together a stout defense and powerful running attack and found a franchise quarterback. Part II (2013-15) was the first Super Bowl window, which did not turn out quite as well as it should have.

This offseason offers the chance for Schneider and Carroll to redefine their team — officially moving on from some 2010-15 stalwarts (e.g., Marshawn Lynch, Chancellor, Russell Okung) and remaking their offensive line. It will set the table for next offseason, when Schneider will have the flexibility to make some moves that could create a dominant team for 2017 and beyond.

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CHAWK LINES
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Chawk lines 75 percent

The Kam Chancellor Watch has begun. John Clayton doesn’t think he would net more than a fourth-rounder. Hawk Blogger, meanwhile, posited 10 specific trade ideas.

The Seahawks are not in the Super Bowl, but that didn’t prevent Conan O’Brien from inviting Marshawn Lynch for more fun and games.

Lynch was in a better mood for that than he was when TMZ asked him if he was coming back to the Seahawks in 2016.

No surprise: Linemen dominate a long list of Seattle mock drafts put together by Bob Condotta.

Rob Staton broke down Todd McShay’s mock draft and looked at other options at No. 26.

The Seahawks had a lot of fun at the Pro Bowl — their first in three years.

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CHAWK LINES, Pro Bowl
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CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Russell Wilson had a big week, getting drafted first overall for the Pro Bowl, leading in merchandise sales and signing a long-term endorsement deal with Nike.

Russell Okung is going to have shoulder surgery and be out until June — a development that could severely limit his options in free agency.

Robbie Tobeck gave his nickel’s worth on the Seahawks’ offensive line. It’s good advice.

Under the new Pro Bowl drafting format, the Seahawks are going to be split, with Wilson, Michael Bennett and Richard Sherman on Michael Irvin’s squad and and Bobby Wagner and Tyler Lockett on Jerry Rice’s side.

Lockett is having a blast in Hawaii, rubbing elbows with Rice (who briefly played for the Seahawks, as you might recall) and some of the NFL’s best.

Wagner, a two-time Pro Bowl pick, is enjoying his first trip to the game — exchanging notes with fellow linebacking greats such as NaVorro Bowman and Clay Matthews.

Bennett did a bit of everything in Pro Bowl practice Friday.

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