The Seattle Seahawks have so far had an eventful offseason, making key moves in free agency to improve their defense and secure their quarterback position. Here's a breakdown of the team's most significant moves.
Firstly, the Seahawks extended Geno Smith's contract, rewarding him for his impressive performance last season. Smith led the NFL in completion percentage, finished in the top five in touchdown passes and passer rating, and set several franchise records.
He was awarded the AP Comeback Player of the Year, proving his doubters wrong and trademarking his famous phrase "They wrote me off but I didn't write back." Smith's new three-year, $105 million contract will keep him with the Seahawks through 2025.
Seattle's defense was their biggest weakness last season, with a lack of personnel preventing them from executing their game plan effectively. The Seahawks addressed this issue in free agency, starting with the addition of defensive end Dre'Mont Jones from the Denver Broncos. Jones, who has three consecutive seasons of five or more sacks, brings a promising new start to the team. He signed a three-year, $51 million deal, with a 2023 cap hit of just over $10 million.
The Seahawks also brought back a familiar face to their defensive line, signing DT Jarran Reed to a two-year, $9 million deal. Reed was originally drafted by Seattle and spent his first five seasons with the team. These acquisitions should help strengthen the team's defensive front and provide a much-needed boost.
Seattle's offensive line also saw some changes, with guard Gabe Jackson being released to create cap room. The team resigned Phil Haynes for depth at the position and signed Evan Brown, a versatile offensive lineman from the Detroit Lions, to compete for the center job. With Austin Blythe retiring, the Seahawks needed to address this position, and Brown's one-year, $2 million deal is a solid move.
The Seahawks also added to their secondary by signing safety Julian Love from the New York Giants. Love signed a two-year, $12 million deal, adding depth and talent to the team's already impressive linebackers and secondary. Finally, the Seahawks re-signed Drew Lock to be Smith's backup, giving them flexibility going into the draft.
In conclusion, the Seahawks' offseason moves have been bold and strategic. By securing Smith and strengthening their defense, offensive line, and secondary, the team has set themselves up for success in the upcoming season. With the draft still to come, the Seahawks can further add to their already impressive roster and continue to build towards their ultimate goal: a Super Bowl championship.
