The Seattle Seahawks fell short of expectations in 2023. The team, at times, looked like a dangerous NFC contender but ultimately struggled and missed the postseason altogether. Seattle dealt with injuries and was a bit unlucky occasionally, but with a new head coach roaming the sidelines, it signals a new era for the Seahawks in 2024.
NFL free agency begins on March 13, and the legal tampering period begins two days before that. What are some moves the Seahawks could make at the start of the new league year to help put them in a position to compete with the league’s best?
Seattle Seahawks Free Agency Predictions
The belief is that Seattle will most likely not be a big spender, but with new head coach Mike Macdonald now in the fold, he’ll need to shop for some of the ingredients that can help implement his system and philosophy. That could start with bringing in a familiar face in the middle of their defense.
The Seahawks are heading into a new season without Pete Carroll on the sidelines for the first time since 2009, so what it is going to look like and how they plan to attack talent acquisition is relatively unknown. Let’s take a look at some moves that could make sense for them as they head into free agency.
Bring in a Familiar Face at Linebacker
If Coach Macdonald wants to implement his style of play, and what he expects of his defense, the best way to do so is by bringing in someone that knows exactly what you expect. Insert former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen into the conversation, and allow for him to be in the middle of that defense leading the Seahawks into the new era.
Queen will be a highly sought-after free agency piece, and the Seahawks may have to get aggressive to obtain him, but if the new regime feels that familiarity is important, this may be a move they bang on the table to make happen.
There may be cheaper moves that can be made here, but the value and experience Queen brings with him make this move a no-brainer for the Seahawks’ free agency plans.
Bring Back Noah Fant
Seahawks starting tight end Noah Fant heads into the offseason as a free agent — and one of the better ones available. However, Seattle values keeping trusted weapons around QB Geno Smith and prioritizes bringing Fant back into the fold for 2024 and beyond.
Fant has seen stability and a bit of a career resurgence in Seattle. As long as the money isn’t outright disrespectful, one could see him deciding to stick around in a comfortable place where he knows he’s valued and can produce.
Add Interior Offensive Line Help
The Seahawks need more help upfront protecting Smith and opening lanes in the running game. They can attack that in free agency by bringing in Jonah Jackson.
The former Detroit Lions guard is tough, physical, and young enough to sign for a long-term extension. Seattle will surely attack this spot in the draft as well, but it can’t hurt to bring in an experienced, quality piece to plug and play in Week 1.
KEEP READING: 2024 Free Agency Predictions
The Seahawks will need to spend a little bit of money in free agency. While they assumedly won’t be major players, the ability to sure up some weak spots and get the new staff off on the right foot will be key to early success.
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