Seattle Seahawks: 5 Players who likely won’t return in 2020

1. Ed Dickson, TE

The Seahawks gave Ed Dickson a three-year, $10.8 million deal during the 2018 offseason. At the time, it was a questionable move. Well, the signing never panned out. Dickson will account for the ninth-highest percentage of Seattle’s cap next season. However, the Seahawks won’t keep him around for next season.

When Seattle signed Dickson, the veteran was coming off of the second-best season of his career. With Greg Olsen missing significant time, Dickson became a prime target in Carolina’s offense for Cam Newton. That season, he started 12 games and made 30 receptions for 437 yards and a touchdown.

Dickson dealt with injuries during his first season in Seattle. He appeared in ten games and made just one start. Russell Wilson targeted Dickson 13 times all season, and the veteran tight end made 12 receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns. He did contribute as a run blocker, but so did Will Dissly and Nick Vannett.

Dickson turned 32 this season, but he never saw the field for Seattle. He underwent offseason surgery that landed him on injured reserve (IR). If the Seahawks cut Dickson this offseason, he will account for $866,668 in dead cap, but that still saves the team from paying his $3 million base salary.

Dissly landed on IR in each of the last two seasons, but he is a promising young weapon when healthy. The Seahawks also discovered Hollister this season. The restricted free agent made 41 receptions for 349 yards and three touchdowns in the second half of the season.

With Dissly and Hollister around, the Seahawks don’t need the injury-prone, aging Dickson. If they need tight end help, Seattle can also elect to bring back ERFA Tyrone Swoopes and veteran UFA Luke Willson for cheap. Vannett, who Seattle traded to Pittsburgh earlier this season, is also an UFA.