Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor is currently hoping for a restructured contract, but his holdout has officially reached a new level.
According to Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio KJR, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Chancellor’s absence means he won’t play in Week 1.
Pete Carroll on Chancellor: "He's not here so he's not playing. That's it."
— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree) September 9, 2015
Carroll—who said he is disappointed but will evaluate Chancellor’s playing status on a weekly basis—noted Dion Bailey will start in the three-time Pro Bowler’s place.
At risk of entering flaming-hot-take territory, Chancellor is now hurting the team. Yes, teammates like Doug Baldwin have expressed support for Chancellor, but that doesn’t minimize the impact the strong safety’s absence will have on the defense this Sunday.
Fortunately for the Seahawks, they open the 2015 season against the St. Louis Rams, who don’t exactly have an outstanding receiving corps.
Richard Sherman and Co. shouldn’t encounter many problems defending obvious passing situations. However, Bailey must replace Chancellor’s ability to provide run support, which allowed free safety Earl Thomas to attack at will.
The franchise has little motivation to cave and restructure the contract, especially since Chancellor has three years remaining on his deal. But with Randall Cobb, Alshon Jeffery, Calvin Johnson and A.J. Green looming over the next four outings, Seattle’s ability to overcome Chancellor’s impact will be tested if there’s no resolution.
Should the Legion of Boom lacks the explosion Chancellor provides, the leverage in this contract dispute could soon lean toward the safety.