Free Agents - Cap Space - who stays, who's gone

[Captain 97]

I wouldn't have given Walker that contract but I really don't understand why they didn't franchise him. They have the cap space this year and it would haven given them some insurance while Charbonet recovers without the potential of the contract becoming an Albatross down the line. After signing Shaheed and Jobe, they still have 42 Million of cap space left. Unless they are going to trade for a big contract, I don't see how giving Walker 14.5 Million for one year would have limited them from anything else they had in mind for this off season. In my opinion you cant go into the season with Holani, McIntosh, Jones and a possible rookie out of the draft as your only options. I would think that they will be forced to trade for somebody established at this point.

He didnt want to be there

So what?

[Donn Beach]

You look at JSs history of using it, he's done it twice. Mare who they ended up extending and Clark who they traded with the Chiefs extending him. The reasons I see were not wanting to pay Walker that much and not wanting to tie up a player that doesn't have a future with the team

[Captain 97]

You look at JSs history of using it, he's done it twice. Mare who they ended up extending and Clark who they traded with the Chiefs extending him. The reasons I see were not wanting to pay Walker that much and not wanting to tie up a player that doesn't have a future with the team

They sign players to one year deals all the time. Do you consider that to be Tying up a player that doesn't have a future with the team? To me this is is exactly what the franchise tag was made for. Its basically like picking up an option.

[Donn Beach]

I've kinda wondered about this. JS looks forward, not backward. They could see Walker not being as necessary for what they have in mind for the offense next season. I think you have to take into account player development. It's not just about adding players, you're expecting development from the players you already have on your roster


Seaside Joe

When I think of a true “breakout” season, I think of Ernest Jones IV last year. Jones had already established himself as a linebacker who was good enough to start but even his contract reflected a player who still had to prove himself: His $9.5m AAV is only 20th at the position.

Then he comes out of 2025 looking like a top-5 inside linebacker, intercepting six passes including playoffs.

There’s been an over-emphasis on the players who Seattle let leave in free agency as a reason for doubts to creep in but sometimes a team’s best replacement of VALUE is not going to be someone at the same position:

It’s like if you sell your car and don’t immediately go buy another car, your friends might think that riding a bicycle is a sign of financial ruin; but maybe you just want to get in shape.

What if the Seahawks were okay with losing Kenneth Walker III because they’re really excited about Tory Horton, A.J. Barner, Elijah Arroyo, Shaheed, and George Holani? This is a list of players that were top of mind for me as far as breakouts and I already know you’d add more names to it:

[D-train]

You look at JSs history of using it, he's done it twice. Mare who they ended up extending and Clark who they traded with the Chiefs extending him. The reasons I see were not wanting to pay Walker that much and not wanting to tie up a player that doesn't have a future with the team

They sign players to one year deals all the time. Do you consider that to be Tying up a player that doesn't have a future with the team? To me this is is exactly what the franchise tag was made for. Its basically like picking up an option.

No such thing as a bad one year deal. Would have be gone by the time they needed to reup JSN And Spoon.

[D-train]

I've kinda wondered about this. JS looks forward, not backward. They could see Walker not being as necessary for what they have in mind for the offense next season. I think you have to take into account player development. It's not just about adding players, you're expecting development from the players you already have on your roster


Seaside Joe

When I think of a true “breakout” season, I think of Ernest Jones IV last year. Jones had already established himself as a linebacker who was good enough to start but even his contract reflected a player who still had to prove himself: His $9.5m AAV is only 20th at the position.

Then he comes out of 2025 looking like a top-5 inside linebacker, intercepting six passes including playoffs.

There’s been an over-emphasis on the players who Seattle let leave in free agency as a reason for doubts to creep in but sometimes a team’s best replacement of VALUE is not going to be someone at the same position:

It’s like if you sell your car and don’t immediately go buy another car, your friends might think that riding a bicycle is a sign of financial ruin; but maybe you just want to get in shape.

What if the Seahawks were okay with losing Kenneth Walker III because they’re really excited about Tory Horton, A.J. Barner, Elijah Arroyo, Shaheed, and George Holani? This is a list of players that were top of mind for me as far as breakouts and I already know you’d add more names to it:

Jones might be a top three move in JS career. Not only as a player but my God him having Sam's back after the first Rams game. That MFer is a Dude. Seem like a grizzled seasoned vet but he is barely old enough to rent a fucking car.

[Nwadventure]

I've kinda wondered about this. JS looks forward, not backward. They could see Walker not being as necessary for what they have in mind for the offense next season. I think you have to take into account player development. It's not just about adding players, you're expecting development from the players you already have on your roster


Seaside Joe

When I think of a true “breakout” season, I think of Ernest Jones IV last year. Jones had already established himself as a linebacker who was good enough to start but even his contract reflected a player who still had to prove himself: His $9.5m AAV is only 20th at the position.

Then he comes out of 2025 looking like a top-5 inside linebacker, intercepting six passes including playoffs.

There’s been an over-emphasis on the players who Seattle let leave in free agency as a reason for doubts to creep in but sometimes a team’s best replacement of VALUE is not going to be someone at the same position:

It’s like if you sell your car and don’t immediately go buy another car, your friends might think that riding a bicycle is a sign of financial ruin; but maybe you just want to get in shape.

What if the Seahawks were okay with losing Kenneth Walker III because they’re really excited about Tory Horton, A.J. Barner, Elijah Arroyo, Shaheed, and George Holani? This is a list of players that were top of mind for me as far as breakouts and I already know you’d add more names to it:

Jones might be a top three move in JS career. Not only as a player but my God him having Sam's back after the first Rams game. That MFer is a Dude. Seem like a grizzled seasoned vet but he is barely old enough to rent a fucking car.

Funny- Had to google his age- Flying up tomorrow - teriyaki time !

[trharder]

More.

[Michael K.]

You look at JSs history of using it, he's done it twice. Mare who they ended up extending and Clark who they traded with the Chiefs extending him. The reasons I see were not wanting to pay Walker that much and not wanting to tie up a player that doesn't have a future with the team

They sign players to one year deals all the time. Do you consider that to be Tying up a player that doesn't have a future with the team? To me this is is exactly what the franchise tag was made for. Its basically like picking up an option.

You think Walker wanted a one year deal? Right or wrong, a lot of teams don't utilize the Franchise Tag because of the turmoil it causes. Some have even held out, deciding to make no money rather than risk injury playing for one season with no future.

NFL players overwhelmingly dislike the franchise tag, viewing it as a restrictive tool that denies them long-term security and market-value earnings. While it provides a high, fully guaranteed one-year salary, players fear the, injury risk and lack of stability compared to a multi-year contract. It is seen as a way for teams to unfairly retain control.

Key Reasons for Player Dislike:

Lack of Long-Term Security: Players desire the financial stability of multi-year deals. A tag, particularly a second one, offers high pay but no future assurance.

Preventing Free Agency: The tag stops players from exploring the open market, where they could potentially earn much more

Injury Risk: Playing on a one-year deal creates immense risk, as a serious injury could ruin a player's earning potential for future contracts

Strained Relationships: The tag is often seen as a sign of distrust or lack of commitment from teams, causing tension (e.g., Saquon Barkley, Le'Veon Bell)

Some players, such as WR Tee Higgins and former players like Le'Veon Bell, have expressed frustration or taken drastic actions (like holding out) to show their disapproval,

Could they have tagged him? Of course, but we almost never use the tag. Once was to buy time to pay a Kicker, and the other was to trade them. Maybe they could have tried to work out a trade, but I just don't understand this belief that all it would have taken was to tag him and all would be great. Pitt probably thought that with Bell too.

[Donn Beach]

And honestly at this point, the most obvious answer to why they didn't tag Walker seems to be they didn't give a shit about his leaving in the first place. If there was concern then why hasn't JS done anything to replace him? You could argue they are signing Wilson even if they tagged Walker. They are going to need a pair of RBs. Wouldn't Wilson seem more a Charbonnet replacement? It's the lack of concern to begin with thats interesting