Seattle Seahawks: Worrisome 2021 free agency class looms large

The Seattle Seahawks could lose several key pieces of their team to free agency next offseason.

While the Seattle Seahawks assembled a team capable of winning 12 games this season, the franchise could run into trouble next year. The 2021 free agent pool features several of Seattle’s key contributors. With multiple pillars of the team hitting the open market, the Seahawks can’t retain all of their starters.

Next offseason injects role players like Phillip Dorsett, Jacob Hollister, Benson Mayowa, David Moore and Neiko Thorpe into the free agency pool. The Seahawks can survive those losses and find cheap replacements, but the team faces several dire situations. As many as seven total starters or rotational starters could sign with new teams.

Aging veterans like Mike Iupati, Greg Olsen, and K.J. Wright need new contracts. Iupati started 15 games for the Seahawks last season, but Seattle is already working on a succession plan. Olsen was always a one-year rental, and he seems set on retiring after this season. Meanwhile, the Seahawks plan on seeing if either Cody Barton or Jordyn Brooks can unseat Wright. This season marks Wright’s tenth year as a starter for Seattle.

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Irreplaceable starters for the Seattle Seahawks

While Wright’s knowledge and consistent production might take years to replace, even with Barton and Brooks, he’s not one of the scarier losses Seattle could suffer next offseason. Bruce Irvin is only on a one-year deal while Chris Carson, Quinton Dunbar and Shaquill Griffin need extensions.

Dunbar hasn’t played a snap for the Seahawks yet, but he’s competing with Tre Flowers for a starting spot alongside Griffin. Spotrac places Dunbar’s estimated market value at a ridiculous rate the Seahawks could never afford. He’s not even the most important cornerback on Seattle’s roster. Griffin made the Pro Bowl last season and emerged as the team’s premier coverage specialist.

Griffin recently spoke about his contract situation, telling reporters via The News Tribune:

"I’d love to be here, forever. But some things, it’s just out of your control. At the end of the day, I know it’s a business. And I can only focus on the things that I can focus on. That’s playing great and helping our teams win ball games and go to the Super Bowl."

The Cincinnati Bengals gave Trae Waynes a deal worth $14 million annually this offseason. Griffin should make at least that much on a new contract.

The Seahawks purposely limited Irvin’s contract to one season, hoping they could get younger players in the building on rookie deals. The team drafted L.J. Collier, Alton Robinson, and Darrell Taylor over the past two seasons. However, Irvin brings a level of experience and production that none of the young players can match. He’s also versatile enough to play at linebacker.

Carson’s situation is perhaps the most complex of Seattle’s conundrums. Carson was a seventh-round pick in 2017, and he’s made less than $2.5 million on his rookie contract. This is the first year he’ll make more than $1 million in a single season.

NFL teams generally view running backs as replaceable. That might’ve been Seattle’s plan when the franchise drafted Rashaad Penny with a first-round pick in 2018. However, Penny tore his ACL last season and hasn’t come close to matching Carson’s production. Spotrac places Carson’s market value at $9 million annually, which would make him the NFL’s sixth-highest paid running back.

Jamal Adams’ situation with the Seattle Seahawks

One of the biggest looming contract clouds isn’t even for a player entering free agency next offseason. Jamal Adams fought his way out of New York, primarily over a contract dispute. The reigning First-Team All-Pro wants a record-setting extension. The Seahawks don’t have to negotiate with Adams this season, but 2021 is the final year of his rookie deal.

Adams was the sixth overall pick in 2017. His draft mate, Eddie Jackson (112th overall), set the record for average salary by a safety when he signed a four-year $58.4 million extension ($14.6 million annually) in January. Budda Baker, another member of the 2017 draft class (36th overall), recently eclipsed that total, signing a four-year deal worth $14.75 million annually. Each new record deal only drives up Adams’ asking price.