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Seattle Seahawks Free Agency Grade

By James Loss

Dec 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Baltimore Ravens with wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Baltimore Ravens with wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seahawks free agency period continues as Seattle signs and loses valuable players this offseason. Here’s how team is looking so far.

So far, the Seahawks have parted ways with longtime teammates, while gaining valuable assets. Losing players such as Bruce Irvin and Brandon Mebane puts a strain on the defense to fill those big shoes. Also, failing to keep J.R. Sweezy continues the feeling of inconsistency in the offensive line. However, Seattle has signed players like Bradley Sowell and Sealver Siliga, who are worthy of the open positions. I’m grading the Seahawks free agency moves thus far as a “C”. Let’s break it down.

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Losing Irvin to Oakland removes a huge pillar from a strongly built defense. When talking about Seattle’s linebackers, it’s hard to think of anyone besides Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Irvin. So naturally, losing one of those players poses a problem to the defensive integrity. Irvin clearly enjoyed playing for the Hawks, as he reportedly said he would take less to stay in Seattle. Failing to sign Irvin leaves a big question mark in the tight core of Seattle’s defense that has yet to be filled.

Staying on the Defensive side of the ball, Brandon Mebane also parted ways with the Seahawks after 8 successful seasons. The loss of Mebane probably hurts more emotionally rather than strategically, as he has been through the worst and best of Seattle. The Seahawks have solid depth at the line of scrimmage. Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Ahtyba Rubin and Mebane were the starting front four for the Seahawks last season. Rubin was just signed to a new deal just before the Seahawks free agency period and now Seattle will be returning 3 of those 4 starters, which is a success.

Offensively, not much has changed. J.R. Sweezy is off to Tampa Bay but this is the least of the worries for Seattle. Losing Sweezy just means the O-line will have to change some things up (what’s new?). Last season, it seemed impossible for the line to get things under control and protect Russell Wilson. Maybe it’s time to get some new faces into the regime to test the waters. Only time will tell if this loss hurts more than helps.

Fear not, the Seahawks free agency period hasn’t been all losses.

The recent one-year signing of Sealver Siliga provides an immediate answer for the loss of Mebane. Siliga has been spent time in Seattle before. In 2013, Siliga was acquired via trade, but did not make the 53-man roster and later spent time on the practice squad before being signed by New England.

Siliga will compete for the starting job at nose tackle with Jordan Hill. Hopefully by the time August comes around, there will be a clear choice.

Bradley Sowell of the Arizona Cardinals was also signed to a one-year deal. Sowell gives the offensive line more depth, but unfortunately there’s still a hole at left tackle. The Ole Miss graduate hasn’t started a game since 2013 and will most likely be second string to Alvin Bailey.

So far, the most prominent signing is that of Jermaine Kearse. A three-year contract worth $13.5 million will keep Kearse at the disposal of Wilson for a few more touchdowns. But with hot hands like Tyler Lockett and Doug Baldwin, Kearse doesn’t feel like a priority to me. Kearse is a great set of hands to have on your team, no doubt. But the Seahawks draft very well and have the coaching skills to change players performance in an offseason.

I’m sure Kearse will make me eat my words and have a breakout season, but until then I’m convinced that $13.5 million could have been spent better elsewhere.

Next: Seahawks Free Agent Update: Wave 1

The Legion of Boom will remain intact as Jeremy Lane and DeShawn Shead were re-signed this offseason. Yet through all these offseason moves, there’s still no answer for Bruce Irvin. We still have a few more months to go before the new season and the draft is just around the corner, but that is a hole in the team that will need filling. Check back with ECS for more on Seahawks free agency.

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