Analysis: Could Seahawks Opt for ‘More Bobo,’ Match Jaguars’ Offer Sheet?
Making a last minute pivot in the final hour before free agency officially kicked off on March 11, the Seahawks decided to change course by placing a right of first refusal tender on restricted free agent receiver Jake Bobo, hoping that would prevent another team from signing the popular veteran.
But a little over a week after tendering him at a $3.52 million value for 2026 with the aim of discouraging other suitors from signing him, even after deciding not to let him become an unrestricted free agent as originally planned, Seattle still faces the prospect of losing Bobo. Still drawing interest from other teams, the Jaguars jumped into the fray by signing the former UCLA standout to an offer sheet, giving the Seahawks five days to make a decision on whether to match the offer or allow him to walk away in free agency.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Jacksonville offered a two-year deal worth $5.5 million, which would actually carry smaller cap hits than the $3.52 million value of Bobo’s tender. The deal carries $4.5 million in guaranteed salary with a big chunk of that being paid out in the second year, which goes against how Seattle typically structures contracts, especially for reserve players. The contract also has $1.5 million in additional incentives available to push the maximum value to $7 million.
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 Take Flier on Former First Round Pick Noah Igbinoghene
Looking to replenish depth in the secondary after losing Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant in free agency, the Seattle Seahawks made their second cornerback signing in as many days on Saturday, bringing a former first round pick into the fold.
According to Mike Dugar of The Athletic, the Seahawks have agreed to terms with veteran cornerback Noah Igbinoghene on a one-year contract. Other terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed.
Once a highly touted prospect coming out of Auburn, Igbinoghene landed with the Dolphins as the 30th overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, breaking into the league at just 20 years old. He appeared in 16 games as a rookie with a pair of starts for Miami, struggling in his first action against NFL talent, allowing 18 yards per reception and three touchdowns with quarterbacks posting a 133.9 passer rating when targeting him in coverage.
Seahawks Sign Emanuel Wilson, Add Punishing Runner to Backfield Mix
Three days after watching Super Bowl MVP Ken Walker III take his talents to the Kansas City Chiefs on a record-setting deal, the Seattle Seahawks have finally added to their new-look backfield in free agency.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Seahawks have signed former Packers running back Emanuel Wilson to a one-year contract. Multiple reports indicate the deal will be worth up to $2.1 million with incentives.
The 26-year-old Wilson broke into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023 after taking quite the unconventional path to the NFL. Lightly recruited out of high school, he started his college career at Johnson C. Smith University, a Division II program in Charlotte, North Carolina. After not playing in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he transferred to another Division II school in Fort Valley State, where he rushed for 1,371 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2022 before deciding to go pro.
Seahawks Make First External Signing, Add Rodney Thomas to Safety Group
Finally making their first outside signing four days into free agency, the Seattle Seahawks have bolstered depth at the safety position in the aftermath of Coby Bryant’s departure for Chicago.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Seahawks have agreed to terms with former Colts safety Rodney Thomas II on a contract. No details have been made available yet, including years, salary, or guaranteed money, making it unclear whether his signing will count against the NFL compensatory formula.
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.
Should Seahawks Trade for a Rental Running Back?
Seattle Seahawks fans saw running back after running back sign elsewhere this week. They began to wonder what the plan was in Seattle. You see things like “John Schneider knows that free agency started, right?”
Except, John Schneider rarely operates like how fans want or expect. It’s hard to argue with the method to his madness, now with a second freshly polished Lombardi Trophy in his proverbial trophy case.
Most of the remaining free agent running backs aren’t difference makers. So, what can be done?
Analysis: Free Agent Targets for Seahawks to Replace Boye Mafe, Key Departures
Paying the dreaded Super Bowl tax one month after defeating the New England Patriots to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, the Seattle Seahawks suffered substantial losses on the first two days of the NFL’s legal tampering period with four former starters departing for greener pastures.
Headlining the group of defectors from the defending champions, running back Ken Walker III quickly latched on with the Chiefs, securing a record-setting three-year contract worth $43 million, the largest deal ever handed to a free agent at the position. Hours later, safety Coby Bryant took his talents to Chicago with a three-year, $40 million contract to join the Bears and pass rusher Boye Mafe took advantage of a fruitful market by signing a three-year, $60 million deal with the Bengals.
After losing Walker, Bryant, and Mafe early in the first unofficial day of NFL free agency and Riq Woolen joining the departed on Tuesday by signing with the Eagles, how can general manager John Schneider and coach Mike Macdonald restock the cupboard to help replace three quality contributors from Seattle’s title team?
Will Seahawks Re-Enter Mix to Trade for Maxx Crosby After Nixed Ravens Deal?
For most of the second and final day of the NFL’s legal tampering period leading up to the official start of free agency, the scene stood eerily quiet, with uncharacteristically minimal player movement after a furious first day of action on Monday.
But everything changed in an instant when the Las Vegas Raiders dropped an unexpected news bomb on football analysts and fans shortly after 5 PM PT via their social media accounts, unleashing a statement indicating that the Baltimore Ravens had “backed out” of the trade previously agreed upon between the two teams that would have sent All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby to the Charm City for a pair of first round draft picks in 2026 and 2027.
Dominos will now fall in a different direction across the league as a consequence of the stunning reversal, with Las Vegas now holding less control over future negotiations on multiple fronts and Baltimore’s cold feet opening the door for another team to potentially jump back into the fray in an attempt to trade for superstar. Linked multiple times to Crosby over the past 12 months with general manager John Schneider smitten over the ferocious pass rusher, all eyes will be on the Seattle Seahawks re-emerging as a possible suitor amid changing circumstances.
Seahawks Lock Up Rashid Shaheed With Massive Three-Year Extension
Hours after losing standout running back Ken Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Seattle Seahawks made sure to prevent Sam Darnold from losing another one of his top skill position weapons in free agency.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Seahawks opened up the checkbook for the dynamic playmaking receiver and return specialist, retaining Shaheed on a three-year, $51 million contract worth $17 million per season. Under terms of the agreement, he will receive $34.7 million in guarantees over the life of the deal.
Acquired at the trade deadline by general manager John Schneider from New Orleans in exchange for a fourth and fifth-round draft pick, Shaheed becomes the latest in a long line of midseason pickups who stuck around beyond being a half season rental in Seattle. Previously, the franchise worked out long-term deals for linebacker Ernest Jones and defensive tackle Leonard Williams when both players were slated to become free agents after being acquired in deadline trades.
Report: Josh Jobe Returns to Seahawks on Three-Year Deal
On a day where Seattle Seahawks fans saw Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker head to the Kansas City Chiefs and Coby Bryant sign with the Chicago Bears, morale was getting low for the team retaining most, if not all of their free agents.
Finally, Seahawks fans get some good news, however. Cornerback Josh Jobe has reportedly agreed to return to Seattle on a three-year deal.
Seahawks Lose Super Bowl MVP as Ken Walker III Bolts for Chiefs
Riding the wave of momentum created by winning Super Bowl LX MVP for the Seattle Seahawks last month, Ken Walker III has cashed in to team up with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network and as confirmed on social media by the player himself, Walker will take his talents to the Chiefs backfield, signing a three-year deal worth up to $45 million as part of the highest-paid contract for a free agent running back in NFL history. Under terms of the deal, he will receive $28.7 million guaranteed.
Finishing his tenure in Seattle with a bang, Walker put the Seahawks on his back during the second half and postseason, rushing for 868 yards, six touchdowns, and 4.8 yards per carry in his final 12 games, including three touchdowns in a 41-6 beatdown of the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round. That dominant stretch culminated with the former second round pick out of Michigan State torching the Patriots for 135 rushing yards in Super Bowl LX to earn MVP honors, making him the hottest backfield commodity heading towards free agency.
Free Agent Primer: Will Josh Jobe’s Storybook Ascent Continue With Seahawks?
With a new league year slated to kick off on March 11, the Seahawks have nine unrestricted free agents scheduled to test the market along with seven restricted free agents and two exclusive rights free agents. Compared to prior seasons, general manager John Schneider has more financial flexibility at his disposal with OverTheCap.com listing the franchise as sixth in available effective cap space ($62 million), but with several big name stars in line for extensions such as All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the team won’t be able to keep everyone after running the table to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Over the next several weeks, using statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and TruMedia, I will break down each and every one of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2025 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, breaking down an ideal contract, and making an early prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2026.
After reviving his career in the Emerald City as a waiver wire claim two years ago, does Josh Jobe’s future remain as a starter in the Seahawks’ secondary? Or will he cash in on his unexpected success to earn a massive contract elsewhere?
Could Seahawks Court Soon-To-Be Free Agent Rashan Gary?
Days before the excitement of free agency starts with the ushering of a new league year and teams throwing around Monopoly money, there’s a somber reality for many NFL players who find themselves on the other side of the business coin.
In order for teams to be able to make those signings of fancy new toys off the free agent scrap heap, they need cap space. To make it happen, it becomes pink slip season in early March as many veterans receive their walking papers, jettisoned as a necessary means to flip financial assets elsewhere.
Amid that madness, sometimes, players can jump the gun looking to get a head start in pursuit of their next employment opportunity. And it appears that was the case for Packers defensive end Rashan Gary, who announced his departure from the team on Instagram on Friday morning before quickly deleting the post with numerous reporters indicating that his account had been hacked and that he had not been released by Green Bay at this time.
Free Agent Primer: Do Seahawks Plan to Re-Up Boye Mafe as Part of Pass Rush Rotation?
With a new league year slated to kick off on March 11, the Seahawks have nine unrestricted free agents scheduled to test the market along with seven restricted free agents and two exclusive rights free agents. Compared to prior seasons, general manager John Schneider has more financial flexibility at his disposal with OverTheCap.com listing the franchise as sixth in available effective cap space ($62 million), but with several big name stars in line for extensions such as All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the team won’t be able to keep everyone after running the table to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Over the next several weeks, using statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and TruMedia, I will break down each and every one of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2025 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, breaking down an ideal contract, and making an early prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2026.
A quality rotational piece for Seattle’s offensive line during four seasons with the franchise, will the front office further invest in Boye Mafe with eyes towards a more productive future? Or will they allow another team to make that financial commitment?
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: 3 Free Agent Running Backs Seahawks Could Target to Replace Ken Walker III
It seems increasingly unlikely that Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III will be returning to Seattle. Reports came out Tuesday that the Seahawks will not use the franchise tag on Walker, making him set to be a free agent when the new league year begins later next week and free to sign with any team.
As our own Corbin Smith reported, there are a few running backs in free agency who already appear to be drawing interest from the Seahawks.
Let’s explore three options for the Seahawks to possibly sign in free agency. Keep in mind, Zach Charbonnet is due back sometime next season, but it seems very unlikely he will be back before the second half of the season as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in January. The Seahawks need several backs to carry the load before he returns.
Analysis: 5 Ways Seahawks Can Bolster Pass Rush as John Schneider Explores Options
Approaching the start of free agency on March 11, the Seattle Seahawks have work to do as they begin their title defense coming off a Super Bowl LX victory with plenty of decisions to make regarding their roster both short and long-term.
When the legal tampering period opens next Monday, Seattle will have 10 unrestricted free agents set to hit the market, including former second-round pick Boye Mafe. Coming off a down season with only two sacks and four quarterback hits, it remains to been what the market will look like for the 27-year-old pass rusher and if the Seahawks will make a push to re-sign him. In addition, there’s been plenty of speculation about the future of veteran Demarcus Lawrence with rumors of him mulling retirement after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Even if Lawrence returns for a 13th season with two years left on his contract, no position may be in flux more for the Seahawks than the EDGE position. Beyond Mafe being a free agent, Uchenna Nwosu and Derrick Hall only have one year remaining on their respective deals, meaning that the team has just one proven defender in the group under contract beyond 2027.
Seahawks’ Odds of Re-signing Ken Walker III Dwindle Following Breece Hall Franchise Tag
The legal tampering period leading up to the start of a new NFL league year remains six days away, but the chances of Ken Walker III returning to the Seattle Seahawks took a significant hit on Tuesday thanks to an expected move made by the New York Jets with their own star running back.
According to Connor Hughes of SNYTV, the Jets have placed the franchise tag on running back Breece Hall, eliminating the possibility of the former second round pick hitting the market when free agency opens on March 11. Under the terms of the fully-guaranteed tender, he would earn $14.23 million in 2026, which would be the fifth-highest cap number among backs next season.
Continuing to negotiate during last week’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, New York tried to hammer out a long-term deal with Hall to avoid having to use the exclusive tag, but the two sides weren’t able to reach an agreement. The organization considered using the transition tag, which would have been a bit cheaper at $11.32 million, but other teams were expected to make a run at him offering more money with the risk of losing the standout runner without compensation in return, leading to the choice to franchise tag him instead.
Free Agent Primer: Does Coby Bryant Fit Into Seahawks’ Long-Term Secondary Plans?
With a new league year slated to kick off on March 11, the Seahawks have nine unrestricted free agents scheduled to test the market along with seven restricted free agents and two exclusive rights free agents. Compared to prior seasons, general manager John Schneider has more financial flexibility at his disposal with OverTheCap.com listing the franchise as sixth in available effective cap space ($62 million), but with several big name stars in line for extensions such as All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the team won’t be able to keep everyone after running the table to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Over the next several weeks, using statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and TruMedia, I will break down each and every one of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2025 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, breaking down an ideal contract, and making an early prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2026.
Transforming from a slot cornerback into a standout free safety in Mike Macdonald’s defense over the previous two seasons, do the Seahawks plan to go all out trying to retain Coby Bryant? Or will the former fourth-round pick’s success lead to offers elsewhere that the defending champions cannot match?
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