The Seattle Seahawks finished the 2021 season with double-digit losses, marking the first time in the Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson era that the franchise failed to record more than seven victories. As a brutal year comes to a close, significant changes are looming in Seattle.
Everything needs to be on the table. While a blockbuster trade involving Wilson is the likeliest domino to fall in 2022, he might not be the only marquee name departing. Franchise icon Bobby Wagner is uncertain about his future and left tackle Duane Brown is likely departing in free agency.
It’s likely going to be an ugly end for one of the NFL’s recent powerhouses. With this era of the Seahawks’ franchise coming to an end, we examine four moves that could help the organization rebuild and create a brighter future.
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Trade Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos
The fractured relationship between Wilson and the Seahawks’ organization is beyond repair. While the Pro Bowl quarterback is saying the right things during the season, a trade demand is inevitable. Considering he holds a no-trade clause, Seattle will need his approval on any deal. Fortunately, there’s a trade that can make everyone happy.
- Seattle Seahawks trade: Russell Wilson
- Denver Broncos trade: 2022 first-and second-round picks, 2023 first-round pick, 2024 second-round pick, Drew Lock
While the Seahawks might want to acquire some young, cheap NFL talent already on the Broncos’ roster, picks might be more valuable. Acquiring players who would be entering the third or fourth season of their rookie contract wipes away some of the value of building a roster full of cheap talent.
This deal should make everyone happy. Wilson lands in an ideal situation and the Broncos solve their quarterback woes, becoming a 2022 Super Bowl contender. Meanwhile, Seattle can return to the recipe that made it so successful by filling out a defense and offense with young talent.
Seattle Seahawks move on from Pete Carroll, hire Matt Eberflus
In this rebuild scenario, there’s no incentive for keeping Carroll. The 70-year-old coach doesn’t want to retire, but he also likely wouldn’t be interested in sticking things out for a rebuild. Considering he just signed a contract extension in 2020, we could see a rare coach trade. He certainly won’t net a first-round pick, but a team like the Las Vegas Raiders or Chicago Bears could view him as the perfect coach to turn their franchises around.
There are a number of directions Seattle could go to replace Carroll and an offensive-minded coach would be especially popular. But the NFC West is loaded with brilliant play-callers and it might be wise for Seattle to counter that. Matt Eberflus is one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, drawing up schemes that cause headaches for great quarterbacks. He could reshape Seattle’s defense, getting the most out of its young defenders.
As for the play-caller, Colts’ running backs coach Scottie Montgomery or Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka make appealing targets.
Sign Orlando Brown Jr. to replace Duane Brown, re-sign Rashaad Penny
Seattle’s offensive line will go down as one of the biggest reasons why Wilson wanted out. The front office never showed enough commitment to creating a front that would consistently protect the quarterback. But general manager John Schneider cares about left tackle. When the offseason begins, that’s where he needs to begin spending.
Orlando Brown Jr. struggled early in the season with the Kansas City Chiefs, allowing 22 pressures through his first seven starts. But the 6-foot-8 tackle settled in as the year went on, evident by the 14 pressures allowed in his last eight games. He’s excellent in pass protection, dependable as a run blocker and is worth a lucrative contract to anchor the left side of Seattle’s offensive line for the next four-plus years.
- Rashaad Penny stats (2019-’21): 147 carries, 793 rushing yards, 12 receptions, 116 receiving yards, seven total TDs
At running back, the decision should be rather simple for Seattle. Coming off neck surgery, cutting Chris Carson and freeing up $3.4 million in cap space is the logical move. After that, the Seahawks can re-sign Penny to a one-year contract. He can be the lead back in a committee, the best way to keep him healthy in a 17-game season.
Strengthen the trenches through 2022 NFL Draft
The 2022 NFL Draft is going to be crucial for Seattle this spring. Because of the Jamal Adams trade, the Seahawks don’t have their first-round pick and that’s costly. But trading Wilson can help the front office begin to fill some of the holes that were inadequately addressed or entirely ignored for several years.
Seattle Seahawks mock draft
- 1st round, 11th pick (via DEN): Tyler Linderbaum, iOL, Iowa
- 2nd round, 40th overall: Bernard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
- 2nd round, 42nd overall (via DEN): Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
Tyler Linderbaum is the best center in college football and one of the few players at his position worthy of a top-15 pick. A 2021 Unanimous All-American selection, Linderbaum would be Seattle’s best center since it traded Max Unger.
But the Seahawks can’t settle for one single move to rebuild the offensive line, there are holes at nearly every position. Bernard Raimann, who played tight end at Central Michigan in 2019, has handled his transition to offensive tackle beautifully. The combination of size, athleticism and intelligence are a combination that NFL coaches won’t be able to pass on. He could start immediately at right tackle for Seattle, easily replacing Brandon Shell and Jake Curhan.
At quarterback, the Seahawks will have to settle for a bridge starter. They could acquire Drew Lock in the Wilson trade, giving him a shot in a new environment. There will also be options in free agency, including Ryan Fitzpatrick Jacoby Brissett and Marcus Mariota. But the next face of the franchise will come from the 2023 NFL Draft.