Will Seahawks Cornerback Jeremy Lane Return?

Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane (20) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane (20) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seahawks need help along both the offensive and defensive lines this offseason, but re-signing Jeremy Lane will also be a priority. Will Lane return?

The short answer is I don’t know. Free agency officially starts on March 9th, and John Scheider, Pete Carroll, and the rest of the Seahawks‘ personnel mavens are probably rubbing their hands together and cackling like supervillians as they plot their strategy to retake the Conference crown and the Super Bowl 51 trophy. The more I think about it, the more likely it seems that the Seahawks will try their hardest to retain Jeremy Lane, a key defensive contributor in the second half of the season after he recovered from his gruesome arm injury in Super 49.

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Much has been made about the offensive line. The defensive line will need its annual reinforcements as well, but we can’t forget about the secondary. You can bet Carroll hasn’t. Lane technically has only started six games in four seasons with the Seahawks, but his work as a part of the defensive rotation in the backfield makes him valuable. After the free agent disaster that was Cary Williams last year opposite Richard Sherman, Carroll and company may try to put their meager free agent money back into a solid corner who can compete for the starting second cornerback job. Resigning Lane will obviously come with the Seahawks digging for secondary gold in the later parts of the draft, where they got Kam Chancellor, Sherman, and even Lane himself in years past.

Lane indicated that he wanted to return to the Seahawks after they lost to Carolina in the playoffs this season, but even though he was hurt much of last year, he’ll demand a high salary and another team desperate for cornerback help could make him an offer he can’t refuse.

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My gut tells me Carroll and Seahawks brass will make an aggressive run at re-signing Lane when free agency starts.