Seahawks Wisely Slow Played Free Agency With 2026 NFL Draft Class in Mind
Moments after the NFL’s legal tampering period opened on March 9, Seattle Seahawks fans quickly experienced the downside of bringing home the Lombardi Trophy, as Super Bowl MVP Ken Walker III started the festivities by securing a record-setting three-year, $43 million free agent contract from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Less than an hour later, the Seahawks suffered another significant loss from the Super Bowl tax as safety Coby Bryant bolted for another NFC contender, signing a three-year, $40 million deal with the Chicago Bears. Not long after, outside linebacker Boye Mafe cashed in as well, inking a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals worth $20 million per season. One day later, cornerback Riq Woolen joined the exodus, taking his talents to Philadelphia on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million. Before free agency even had officially began, four former starters had flew the nest for lucrative big money contracts elsewhere.
For many fans who hoped to see the team run it back, it may have felt like the rest of the NFL had quickly descended on the defending champions like vultures zeroing in on deceased prey and gradually started picking away from the carcass.
Seahawks Free Agency Tracker: Re-signings, Departures, and Rumors
Officially opening the new NFL league year, the Seattle Seahawks and all 32 teams will be jockeying for position to sign their own players and court outside free agents when the legal tampering period opens on Monday at 9 AM PT.
Unlike previous seasons, including when linebacker Ernest Jones and defensive tackle Jarran Reed struck deals late in the process leading up to the new league year, Seahawks general manager John Schneider has not signed any of the team’s nine unrestricted free agents prior to the tampering period. As a result, all of those players will now be able to speak with other teams with the exclusive negotiating window coming to a close.
Who will Seattle re-sign? Which players will bolt for greener pastures? And which newcomers will join the defending champs via free agency or trade?
Seahawks Locking Up Restricted Free Agents, Maintaining Championship Core
While the Seattle Seahawks have lost several former starters in free agency, including running back Ken Walker III and safety Coby Bryant, the franchise has made keeping most of its championship core together a top priority.
Aiming to keep the band together for the most part, the Seahawks have worked swiftly to retain several of their restricted free agents early in the free agency window. The process started in earnest one week before the new league year kicked off with linebacker Drake Thomas signing a two-year, $8 million deal to avoid becoming an unrestricted free agent without a tender, ensuring both of the team’s starters at the position would be under contract through 2027.
With free agency officially starting on Wednesday, Seattle has continued to lock up restricted free agents with new contracts, starting with the decision to place a right of first refusal tender on receiver Jake Bobo. Later in the day, the team signed long snapper Chris Stoll to a two-year contract and welcomed back reserve safety AJ Finley on a one-year contract. On Thursday, one day after he became an unrestricted free agent without a tender placed on him, tight end/fullback Brady Russell returned on a two-year deal of his own and defensive tackle Brandon Pili inked a one-year deal worth $2 million.
Seahawks Reward Drake Thomas With New Two-Year Deal
Making their first signing to retain one of their own free agents before the start of the new league year next week, Drake Thomas looks to be part of the Seattle Seahawks long-term plans.
Per a team source, the Seahawks have agreed to terms with Thomas on a new two-year deal, locking up the restricted free agent through the 2027 season. The contract, which was negotiated by agent Jay Courie of MGC Sports, features $8 million in base salary with incentives that could push the value to $9 million. The average of $4 million per year comes in at less than a second-round restricted free agent tender, which would have cost the team north of $5 million for 2026.
Analysis: Ranking Riq Woolen, Seahawks Projected 2026 Free Agents
Now officially in offseason mode after capturing a Super Bowl title for the second time in franchise history, the Seattle Seahawks have several big questions to answer on the free agency front with a new league year set to begin on March 11.
Compared to prior offseasons, the Seahawks have a quite healthy financial situation, as OverTheCap.com has them currently with $62 million in effective cap space, the sixth-most in the NFL. But at the same time, in addition to 16 unrestricted and restricted free agents, general manager John Schneider has several young stars now eligible for extensions, including All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, inevitably meaning that the franchise won’t be able to keep everyone set to hit the market next month.
Looking at Seattle’s projected unrestricted and restricted free agents, who stands out as the players Schneider and company should prioritize re-signing?
Analysis: 7 Burning Questions to Determine if Seahawks Will Win or Lose Super Bowl LX
After nearly two weeks of relentless coverage and chatter that has left fans on both sides experiencing a bad case of cabin fever, the Seattle Seahawks will finally hit the field with a chance to avenge a previous Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots as the two teams meet at Levis Stadium in Sunday’s big game.
With both teams boasting top-three scoring offenses and physical, well-coached defenses, Sunday has all of the ingredients for a back-and-forth brawl on the biggest stage in professional sports. To earn their second Lombardi, the Seahawks will have to hope for the right answers to seven burning questions.
‘Everything You Want in a Head Coach’: Seahawks Eager to Earn Mike Macdonald Historic Super Bowl Win
Winning 24 regular season games in his first two seasons at the helm for the Seattle Seahawks, Mike Macdonald has carved out one of the most successful runs to open a head coaching career in NFL history.
But when Seattle takes the field to face New England on Sunday for Super Bowl LX, unbeknownst to many of his own players, the 38-year-old Macdonald has a prime opportunity to carve out a unique piece of history all to himself as the first head coach in NFL history who calls defensive plays for his team to win the Lombardi Trophy in 60 tries.
Riq Woolen, Seahawks’ Underdogs Aim to ‘Finish Off’ Success Stories Hoisting Lombardi Trophy
Returning to the Super Bowl for the first time in 11 years, the Seattle Seahawks have assembled the perfect blend of experience and youth in all three phases, assembling a roster full of star power with veteran stalwarts and high-upside rookies alike.
But as is often the case for teams that manage to advance to the NFL’s biggest stage, the Seahawks didn’t make it this far simply because of All-Pro talents such as Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Leonard Williams. Or off of the backs of former top-five picks in Sam Darnold and Devon Witherspoon. To win 14 games in the regular season and defeat a pair of division rivals in the playoffs, they needed contributions from players who didn’t come from such heralded beginnings.
WATCH: Seahawks LB Drake Thomas on How Mike Macdonald’s Staff Unlocked Full Potential
A significant injury as a rookie set Drake Thomas back early in his NFL career. But Mike Macdonald and his staff helped him get back on track and become a key piece of the Seahawks’ top-ranked defense, rediscovering the trait that made him a playmaking star at North Carolina State.
Five Distinct Advantages the Seahawks Have in Super Bowl LX
The Seahawks have one more game remaining, the much-awaited rematch against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Nothing is certain until the downs are played, but what are the Hawks’ key advantages going into the Big Game?
X-Factors to Watch as Seahawks Seek Lombardi Trophy vs. Patriots in Super Bowl LX
While all eyes will be on Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Leonard Williams, and other stars for the Seahawks, history suggests an unsung hero or two will rise to the moment in Super Bowl LX. Which ‘Hawks have the best chance to be X-Factors against the Patriots?
Marquee Matchups to Watch as Seahawks, Rams Duel in NFC Championship Game
Familiar foes will tangle once again at Lumen Field as the Seahawks and Rams vie for a Super Bowl berth. Which matchups hold the weight in a massive NFC West rubber match?
Ranking Top 10 Moves Made by John Schneider to Fuel Seahawks Return to Title Contention
Through free agency, trades, the draft, and other bold moves, John Schneider rebuilt the Seahawks into a Super Bowl contender for the second time in his illustrious career, making him a slam dunk choice for Executive of the Year. Which moves stand out as his best?
More Than a Sidekick: Drake Thomas Becoming Essential to Seahawks’ Defense
All-Pro linebacker Ernest Jones draws the vast majority of the attention in the middle of the Seahawks’ defense, and that recognition is much deserved. But his sidekick should be drawing equal acclaim as a lynchpin for Mike Macdonald’s No. 1 unit.
Burning Questions: What to Watch as Seahawks Host 49ers in Divisional Round
Facing off for the second time in just 14 days, the Seahawks and 49ers will embark in a unique playoff chess match with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line. Which key questions will dictate which rival moves one win closer to the Super Bowl?
Seahawks Defend ‘Every Blade of Grass’ in 13-3 Win Over 49ers
The Seattle Seahawks defense defended every blade of grass to secure the NFC West title and No. 1 playoff seed on Saturday. Just how hard was it for the San Francisco 49ers offense to move the ball in a winner-take-all game at Levi’s Stadium?
Rapid Reaction: Seahawks Relegate 49ers’ Offense Punch-less, Win NFC West With 13-3 Victory
Despite not capitalizing on a couple of promising drives with any points, the Seahawks had plenty of margin for error on the way to an NFC West title as a suffocating defense put on a clinic shutting down the 49ers. How did Seattle get it done at Levis Stadium?
Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Tangle With Panthers in Battle of First Place Squads
Seeking division championships with two weeks remaining on the schedule, the Seahawks and Panthers’ hopes on Sunday could rest on which offensive line can fend off ferocious defensive fronts the best. Which matchups will dictate who earns a massive Week 17 win?
From Undrafted to Unstoppable, Seahawks’ Drake Thomas Isn’t Simply Feel Good Story Anymore
Viewed as a linebacker whisperer coming over from Baltimore, Mike Macdonald’s most impressive coaching job lies the middle of the Seahawks’ vaunted defense with long flowing hair and infectious energy as a do-it-all cog in the team’s top-three defense.
Report Card: Top Performers in Seahawks’ 26-0 Win vs. Vikings
Forcing five turnovers and pitching their first shutout of the 2025 season, the Seahawks received key contributions from all three levels of their defense in a commanding 26-point blowout of the Vikings. Who starred in Seattle’s ninth win of the year?
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