The Seattle Seahawks reportedly agreed to sign veteran running back Carlos Hyde, coming off a 1,000 yard season in Houston, to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million dollars including incentives.
With Rashaad Penny’s ACL injury expected to limit him during training camp, and possibly into the regular season, the Seahawks jumped at the chance to add some depth in the form of Hyde, a veteran running back who had a career-year in 2019.
Even after making a handful of depth signings, Seattle has yet to make a big free agency splash. Pass rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Everson Griffen are still on the open market, as well as interior defensive tackles like Damon Harrison and Mike Daniels, all players the team could use to shore up a big area of need in 2020.
The addition of Hyde and the signing of Geno Smith hampered their cap flexibility, however, and while they could always make room by cutting other veteran pieces, it seems unlikely Seattle will make another big move.
According to Overthecap, the Seahawks have $15.9 million in cap space after the Smith signing. That will come down to $11.9 million once the Hyde contract is completed, if the details we have our correct.
Considering general manager John Schneider’s insistence on keeping cap flexibility, in case the team wants to make an in-season acquisition, that likely prevents the team from making another big addition, barring cuts.
Justin Britt and D.J. Fluker were cuts many expected the team to make, and any other potential cuts are either not enough money (Jacob Hollister, David Moore, Branden Jackson) don’t seem likely due to team chemistry and need (K.J. Wright, Bradley McDougald) or are currently engrossed in a legal battle (Quinton Dunbar).
So, this leaves the Seahawks in a tricky situation. Cutting Hollister or Moore to make room for a veteran defensive tackle like Harrison or Daniels makes sense, but adding a $10+ million dollar contract like Griffen or Clowney may officially be off the table.
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