The Seattle Seahawks have a significant number of players set to be free agents in 2022. The biggest issue for the Seahawks is not with skill position players. They have several defensive starters and offensive linemen with expiring contracts. With one of the best cap situations in the NFL, Seattle is in a good position to improve their roster in free agency.
Seattle Seahawks free agents in 2022
Following the conclusion of the 2021-22 NFL season, the Seahawks have 25 players with expiring contracts. 16 of them will be unrestricted free agents, six are exclusive rights free agents, and three are restricted free agents. All players are unrestricted free agents unless stated.
Top Seahawks offensive free agents
The Seahawks have a couple of offensive starters set to hit free agency. Let’s take a look at the most prominent free agents on offense.
Duane Brown, Brandon Shell, and Ethan Pocic | OL
Duane Brown is 37 years old but still one of the top offensive linemen in the NFL and coming off yet another Pro Bowl season. Brown has expressed an interest in returning to Seattle, so I would be surprised if the team didn’t find a way to bring him back. He made $11.5 million in 2021, but Seattle has $35.4 million in salary cap space, according to Spotrac. Thus, they can afford to bring him back and absolutely should.
Brandon Shell and Ethan Pocic were also starters for the Seahawks on the offensive line in 2021, making a combined $7.5 million. Shell is 30 years old, and Pocic will be 27 this season. Both graded out well last season, and the Seahawks should try to keep this offensive line together.
Gerald Everett | TE
After spending the first four years of his career with the Rams, Gerald Everett signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks last offseason. Whether Seattle seeks to offer Everett a long-term extension depends upon their assessment of his 2021 performance.
Everett is athletic and an adept pass catcher, but he was inconsistent in 2021. Ultimately, this feels like a contract situation that will come down to cost. If the Seahawks can get Everett to re-sign at a price they are comfortable with, they’ll bring him back. Otherwise, he’ll have a new team in 2022.
Rashaad Penny | RB
It took four years, but over the final month of the 2021 season, the Seahawks finally got the Rashaad Penny they drafted in the first round in 2018. Now, Penny’s contract is up, and Seattle needs to decide what to do with a player who has missed almost as many games as he’s played in his career.
The Seahawks declined Penny’s fifth-year option last offseason. But now, they’re looking to extend the 26-year-old. I would expect both sides to work something out. Despite Penny’s talent, his injury history is a major red flag and would undoubtedly impact offers from other teams. Seattle knows Penny better than anyone and has expressed interest in extending him. I expect it to happen.
Top Seahawks defensive free agents
The Seahawks have a couple of defensive starters hitting free agency. While they should look to re-sign a number of their guys, there is one, in particular, they need to bring back.
Quandre Diggs | S
Without question, the Seahawks’ biggest defensive free agent is Quandre Diggs. The 29-year-old is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons and has solidified himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL.
Diggs made $6.2 million in 2021 and is due for a raise. Fortunately, Seattle can afford it. They would do well to make Diggs a 3-4 year offer. If they don’t, someone else will. Diggs is one of the top defensive backs available in free agency.
Al Woods | DT
Despite being 35 years old, Al Woods remains a strong run-stuffing defender. At 330 pounds, Woods clogs up the middle well.
In 2021, Woods made $2.5 million in 2021, and whoever signs him should be able to do so for a similar amount. Given his age, a two-year deal makes the most sense. If it doesn’t come from the Seahawks, Woods will find a starting job somewhere else.
The Seahawks’ other free agents in 2022
What other Seahawks players are free agents in 2022? Some of these players inevitably won’t return next season.
- Sidney Jones IV | CB
- Geno Smith | QB
- Alex Collins | RB
- Kyle Fuller | C
- Ryan Neal | CB
- Rasheem Green | DE
- Blessuan Austin | CB (RFA)
- Bryan Mone | DT (RFA)
- Penny Hart | WR (ERFA)
- John Reid | CB (ERFA)
- Will Dissly | TE
- D.J. Reed | S
- Jamarco Jones | T
- Dakoda Shepley | G (ERFA)
- Jon Rhattigan | LB (ERFA)
- Marcus Webb | DT (ERFA)
- Nigel Warrior | S (ERFA)