Seattle Seahawks: 3 Key contributors departing in 2019 free agency
By Samuel Teets
3. Justin Coleman
The Seahawks recently gave Akeem King a new one-year, $1.4 million deal. The former seventh-round selection played in all 16 games for Seattle in 2018. King’s deal was announced a few days before Ian Rapoport reported that Coleman will sign a four-year, $36 million contract with the Detroit Lions.
It’s a shame really. Coleman has been one of the best slot corners in the game over the last two years, which is significant considering the questionable state of the Seahawks secondary.
Coleman has spent the last two years in Seattle and played in 2018 on a one-year, $2,914,000 deal. During his time with the team he recorded 97 combined tackles, two sacks, 19 passes defensed, three interceptions, one forced fumble,and two defensive touchdowns. He played in all of the team’s 32 regular season games and had 10 starts.
During that same time frame, Shaquill Griffin played in 31 games with 27 starts. He recorded 121 combined tackles, one sack, 23 passes defensed, and three interceptions. Comparatively, Coleman has stats that come close to matching Griffin’s in most categories, and he even surpasses the starter in defensive points scored.
Coleman has been a valuable player for the Seahawks over the last two seasons and now it looks like he’ll head to Detroit and get a significant pay raise. King will be tasked with filling his place, but it’s doubtful he’ll be able to match Coleman’s production.