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?
Analysis: Is Seahawks’ Backfield Situation Post-Ken Walker III’s Exit Better Than Perceived?
As expected to happen for a defending Super Bowl champion, the Seattle Seahawks have lost several key players from their championship squad to open the free agency period this week with other teams eager to add talent in a league built around the premise of parity.
Arguably the most notable departure for Seattle, Super Bowl LX MVP Ken Walker III received a record-setting free agent deal for a running back, signing the dotted line to join the Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year deal worth up to $45 million with nearly $30 million in guaranteed salary. This loss would have stung for the Seahawks no matter what, but the potential negative impact of the four-year starter’s exit was further exacerbated by Zach Charbonnet suffering a torn ACL during the team’s playoff run and not undergoing surgery until late February, likely sidelining him until at least October, if not longer.
In the aftermath of Walker bolting, which happened mere minutes into the NFL’s tampering period on Monday, the Seahawks were linked to the likes of Tyler Allgeier, Kenneth Gainwell, and Rico Dowdle, only for those three players to quickly sign elsewhere as the free agent running back crop rapidly got picked down before the new league year officially began. Other veterans such as Rachaad White remained available, but wound up signing with other teams as well, much to the frustration of fans wondering when the team would make move to try to bolster the backfield.
Seahawks Reveal 2026 Coaching Staff, Maintain Continuity Under Mike Macdonald
In the midst of the opening week of free agency, the Seattle Seahawks announced their finalized coaching staff for the 2026 season, and coming off a Super Bowl LX victory, one could have expected to see a lot of new faces under coach Mike Macdonald.
Much like the 90-man roster, however, while there were a few noteworthy departures such as former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak going to the Raiders as their new head coach, Macdonald and the front office did a fantastic job of keeping most of the band together as the franchise defends its Super Bowl title.
As the biggest change on the staff, Brian Fleury will take over in Kubiak’s stead as Seattle’s new offensive coordinator, taking over as a play caller for the first time in his coaching career at any level. To ease that transition, Macdonald managed to maintain most of the offensive staff from last year’s Super Bowl team with only quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko and senior assistant Rick Dennison following Kubiak to Las Vegas, including offensive line coach John Benton, run game coordinator Justin Outten, pass game coordinator Jake Peetz, receivers coach Frisman Jackson, and tight ends coach Mack Brown.
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 Take Another Hit in Secondary as Riq Woolen Signs With Eagles
Closing in on the end of the second and final day of legal tampering in the NFL, Riq Woolen officially won’t be returning to the Seattle Seahawks, instead taking his talents to another recent Super Bowl champion in the NFC.
Ending a frustrating couple of days for Woolen and his representatives, who likely expected more interest from teams in regard to multi-year offers, the former Pro Bowl cornerback has agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles worth up to $15 million. Other terms of the contract have yet to be disclosed.
An instant success story as a fifth round pick out of UTSA in 2022 after turning in a historic combine workout with sub-4.3 speed at 6-4, Woolen surprised by earning a starting job out of training camp as a rookie for Seattle, finishing with a league-best six interceptions and finishing as a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He looked to be on the fast track towards becoming one of the NFL’s elite shutdown corners.
Analysis: Day 2 Targets for Seahawks to Replace Ken Walker III, Key Departures
Playing 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 day of the NFL’s legal tampering period with three 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, how can general manager John Schneider and coach Mike Macdonald restock the cupboard to help replace three quality contributors from Seattle’s title team?
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.
Analysis: Predicting How Seahawks’ 2026 Free Agency Period Will Unfold
Beginning their title defense a little over a month after capturing the Super Bowl LX crown, the Seattle Seahawks will have no shortage of challenging decisions to make with the start of a new league year on March 11 and other teams looking to steal several marquee players from their roster in free agency.
Will general manager John Schneider be able to keep most of Seattle’s big name free agents and run it back in 2026? Or will Ken Walker III, Rashid Shaheed, and others bolt with more lucrative opportunities elsewhere? And could a few big splashes be on tap supplementing the roster without outside free agents?
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.
ALL SEATTLE SPORTS, ALL THE TIME
Explore our latest Seattle sports content by clicking on your favorite team(s) below!
