Is B.J. Finney the precursor to the Seahawks signing two stud pass rushers?
They reportedly will sign the versatile lineman, who can play center, to a two-year deal worth $8 million (and up to $9.5 million). And that could be the way they bump expensive Justin Britt, which would save them a net $5 million in cap space on the exchange so they could sign Jadeveon Clowney and another pass rusher (Everson Griffen or Devon Kennard?).
Passage of the new CBA was expected to add a few million in salary cap space, but it turns out the cap is actually a couple million less than originally thought: $198.2 million.
With minimum salaries going up $100,000 for rookies and $90,000 for veterans, and practice squad expenses going up (both roster size and salaries), the Seahawks will need to reserve an extra $4 million in cap space. Add $3.46 million in possible rookie proration from their eight draft picks and at least $3 million for injury replacements during the season, and their effective cap space for veterans is more like $35 million.
Nine years ago, NFL owners and players were negotiating a new CBA — and the start of the league year was delayed four months.
Now, with another CBA extension on the line, it’s possible the league year will be postponed again — for completely unrelated reasons.
The coronavirus pandemic has created a fearful environment in the U.S. (and the world) that has not existed since the days and weeks after Sept. 11, 2001. Even then, sports events were delayed for just a week as the nation grieved and tried to process what had happened.
This is very different.
Continue reading As coronavirus empties arenas, what will the NFL do?
Everyone knows Pete Carroll loves competition. And John Schneider loves COMPetition — working free agency so he ends up with compensatory draft picks the next year.
He has done it in four of the past six years — and he got three extra selections today when 2020 picks were announced. But is it really a game worth playing? Has Schneider found any diamonds in the rough with these extra picks?
Continue reading Will Schneider keep playing the comp game, despite little return?
“What we’re trying to find is a real premier pass-rush guy to play the LEO spot.” — Pete Carroll
John Schneider has never been shy to trade his first-round pick for a shot at an impact player. He did it in 2013 (for Percy Harvin) and 2015 (for Jimmy Graham). Now, fortunately, it looks like he is willing to do it again.
Continue reading Good news: Schneider is willing to trade for ‘premier’ pass rusher
The Seahawks, who have declared their desire to improve their pass rush this offseason, reportedly are interested in acquiring Yannick Ngakoue from Jacksonville. It certainly makes sense, but how realistic is it?
Ngakoue is expected to be tagged and traded by the Jags; he has said he will not sign a long-term deal there. But what would he cost, in picks and pay?
Sources tell NFL draft insider Tony Pauline that the Seahawks might be able to get him for a second-rounder and a swap of their first-rounder for the Jags’ 2. That seems legit.
John Schneider and Pete Carroll are smart enough to agree with the rest of us: Their biggest need this offseason is the pass rush.
“We’re looking to improve in some really critical areas. Pass rush is something that we’re really focusing on,” Carroll said at the Combine. “We really like the way we turned the ball over last year. We got the ball a lot, made some nice plays and stuff that gave us a chance, but we need to do some things more consistently — and that’s rush the passer.”
Continue reading Seahawks bosses agree: Pass rush is priority
If they thought about it enough, some NFL owners would be irked at Pete Carroll that the CBA negotiations have not yet resulted in their desired deal.
Why would they be mad at a coach who has nothing to do with it? Because some of the key players who are challenging the owners’ proposal grew up in Carroll’s culture in Seattle. He fostered individuality and independent thinking, and former Seahawks Russell Okung and Richard Sherman — along with current Hawk Bobby Wagner — are using the lessons they learned as Seahawks to fight for the best deal they can get the players.
Everson Griffen made his decision a few days ahead of the deadline: He will void his contract with Minnesota, paving the way to free agency March 18 and nixing any idea of a trade for the pass rusher.
Some think he might not even become a free agent. According to ESPN.com, “There’s a belief that Minnesota will work out a way to keep him around at a reduced price.”
But some NFL-educated folks agree with our thought that the Seahawks might have a good shot at him.
Continue reading Griffen voids deal, reportedly open to Carroll reunion
As we maintain the drumbeat for Seattle to upgrade its pass rush this offseason, one of the mallets we have been using all along is Everson Griffen.
Whether it’s by trade or by free-agent signing, it just seems like a pretty fair chance that Pete Carroll and his former USC standout end up reuniting. And that is regardless of whether the Hawks keep Jadeveon Clowney.
Next Tuesday is a day that looms fairly significant in this possible acquisition, as Griffen has until then to opt out of his contract. (H/T to Greg Haugsven for getting the date from contract expert Joel Corry.)
CHAWK TALK: Everything being said about the Seahawks 