By a number of metrics, the Seattle Seahawks had a successful season in 2015. The team won 10 games and progressed to the Divisional round of the playoffs where Seattle was unable to overcome the eventual NFC champion Carolina Panthers.
For most teams, that may qualify as a quality season. However, the Seahawks were shooting for another Super Bowl appearance — which would have been the franchise’s third straight.
The chances still remain high that Seattle will reach a third title game in four years thanks to a returning nucleus that includes Russell Wilson, Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Thomas Rawls, Kam Chancellor, Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham.
However, a number of Seahawks will hit free agency this summer. Here are five of the team’s top free agents and whether or not they should be re-signed.
J.R. Sweezy and Russell Okung
Offensive line will likely be the Hawks’ biggest need this offseason with Sweezy, Okung and Patrick Lewis hitting free agency. In addition, key reserves Alvin Bailey and Lemuel Jeanpierre will also be eligible for free agency.
Given the choice between Sweezy and Okung, Seattle should choose Sweezy. Obviously it would be ideal to retain both, but Okung’s price tag could be too high given the fact he is a former All-Pro at a premium position.
While Sweezy won’t be cheap given the fact that he’s started 46 games for a team that has been to two Super Bowls in the past three seasons, the Seahawks should look retain him.
Besides Sweezy, Justin Britt and Garry Gilliam were the only other offensive lineman to play more than 90% of the team’s snaps, per ProFootballReference.com. What’s more, the North Carolina State product brings the physicality up front for the Seattle offensive line. One of the reasons Seattle was so successful at the onset of the current run off success was because of Sweezy, Breno Giacomini and Paul McQuistan setting the tone up on the line with physical play.
With Giacomini and McQuistan long gone, the Seahawks need to do everything in their power to keep Sweezy.
Okung, however, is another story. Unlike Sweezy, he is replaceable. Offensive line coach Tom Cable is known to play lineman in different spots. Britt switched from right tackle to left guard last season, and he wasn’t the first to switch. Both Britt and Gilliam have a history of playing tackle, so the team could do some shuffling to make up for Okung’s potential loss.
Will Tukuafu
A 6’4” converted defensive tackle, Will Tukuafu was one of the main reasons the Seattle Seahawks featured one of the league’s top rushing attacks. Despite an offensive line that went through significant ups and downs, the 32-year-old was a beacon of consistency for Seattle.
While his statistical contributions were minimal last season (four carries and one catch), his impact was plain to see. The Seahawks finished with the third-most rushing yards in the league with Tukuafu acting as a lead blocker for both Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls.
The blocking ace can also log snaps at defensive tackle in a pinch, upping his value even more so. Fullbacks aren’t exactly an offensive staple in the NFL anymore, but Tukuafu is a perfect fit for the Seahawks given his ability to clear the path for Rawls.
Seattle should look to re-sign the fullback.
Brandon Mebane
While Brandon Mebane’s production has gone down in terms of the stat sheet, he still makes an impact. The 31-year-old is one of two players on last season’s roster who was with the team before Pete Carroll arrived. He’s been limited by injuries in the past, but still remains a disruptive force on the defensive line.
The Seahawks will be in need of his services next season. Jordan Hill is the only defensive tackle under contract next season. While Hill is extremely promising talent, there is no depth behind him.
If the price is right, Seattle should re-sign Mebane. They’ll need more than just Hill, and a positional rebuild seems unlikely.
Bruce Irvin
The writing may have been on the wall when the team declined Irvin’s 2016 contract option before last season.
While the former first-round pick is a solid contributor on defense, he has never become the pass-rushing difference maker that many envisioned him to be. Irvin has just 22 sacks in four seasons and is easily the most expendable of the Seahawks’ three starting linebackers.
Like a number of other Seattle free agents, Irvin will likely command a big contract given his status as a starter on one of the league’s best defenses. However, Seattle should move on, as the money that could go to the linebacker would be better served filling holes elsewhere on the roster.
Kevin Pierre-Louis seems like the most obvious internal candidate to replace Irvin as the starting strong-side linebacker, however Seattle could find a new addition in free agency or the draft.
In Conclusion
The Seattle Seahawks have a number of prominent, potential free agents. Time will tell which players return, but it is shaping up to be an intriguing offseason for decision makers Carroll and John Schneider.