The Seattle Seahawks will be faced with a number of potentially tough decisions this offseason. Marshawn Lynch could potentially be cut if he doesn’t retire, and a number of key players are free agents.
Among the players with contracts expiring are left tackle Russell Okung, defensive lineman Brandon Mebane, cornerback Jeremy Lane, punter Jon Ryan, guard J.R. Sweezy, linebacker Bruce Irvin and fullback Will Tukuafu.
While it would make sense for the Seahawks to re-sign each of the players listed above, perhaps the most intriguing potential free agent is wide receiver Jermaine Kearse.
The Lakewood native, who also starred at the University of Washington for four years, has essentially spent his entire life in the state of Washington.
In four years with the Seahawks, Kearse has accumulated 112 catches for 1,599 yards and ten touchdowns. The 2015 season was by far the wideout’s best. The 25-year-old set new career highs by catching 49 passes for 685 yards and five touchdowns.
During his time as a member of the Hawks, the Washington product has developed into a standout playoff performer.
Kearse caught game-winning touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers in consecutive NFC Championship Games. In the 2014 divisional round of the playoffs, the wide receiver had three catches for 129 yards and a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers. In this past season’s divisional matchup with the Panthers, Kearse racked up 15 targets, turning them into 11 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Should the Seahawks re-sign Jermaine Kearse?
Despite the clutch playoff performances, the decision is not an easy one.
Seattle has started to throw the ball much more, but if Kearse returned, he may be the fourth passing option. Jimmy Graham will return at some point in 2016, while Doug Baldwin should continue to perform like an elite wide receiver. Promising rookie Tyler Lockett will continue to see his fair share of targets as well.
Graham caught only one less pass than Kearse last season despite playing in five less games. Baldwin was the team’s top receiver, and figures to retain that title after catching 78 passes for 1,069 yards and 14 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Lockett had more targets and catches than Kearse despite finishing four games with two or fewer catches. In fact, Lockett played in two contests (against the Chicago Bears and the Panthers) when he didn’t catch a single pass.
Is it worth it to pay a premium for a fourth option? That remains to be seen.
Seattle certainly has needs elsewhere on the roster. Resources will need to be funneled in order to re-sign essential players like Ryan, Lane and Sweezy. The Seahawks could also have to replace Irvin, among others, something easier said than done. Seattle won’t be able to immediately fill every need through the draft, so quality free agents are almost a necessity.
The Verdict
The Seattle Seahawks should re-sign Jermaine Kearse, but only if the price is right. It isn’t worth the money to overpay for a receiver that won’t be among the team’s top three threats. With a slew of players hitting free agency, Seattle needs all the cap space the team can get.