The NFL is turning the next page towards the 2022 season today as the Scouting Combine kicks off in Indianapolis. Dozens of the top college prospects from around the country will be interviewing with teams and the media and going through workouts as they try to boost their draft stock.
Today quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends are going through their check-ins and some front office personnel are speaking with beat reporters. Tomorrow Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider will do so, as well. Carroll is scheduled to speak at 1:00 p.m. eastern time (10:00 am pacific) and Schneider at 4:00 eastern, 1:00 p.m. pacific.
I'm not in Indy but will be following the Seahawks' combine pressers from home. Pete Carroll (10 a.m. PT) and John Schneider (1 p.m. PT) are both scheduled to speak tomorrow.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) March 1, 2022
There’s no reason to expect any bombshell announcements from either one of them. The media will have fun with Russell Wilson trade scenarios all offseason (we have a doozy of our own coming out later this week) but it’s unlikely he’ll actually get dealt. Everything the organization and its franchise quarterback have said publicly this offseason has indicated Wilson isn’t going anywhere. That doesn’t mean Carroll and Schneider won’t be asked about it, though.
Other timely topics that will probably be covered are potential new contracts for free safety Quandre Diggs, cornerback D.J. Reed and left tackle Duane Brown – the three internal free agents most likely to get extensions first. The franchise tag might be a possibility for Diggs or Reed if it comes to that.
The Seahawks also have a few cornerstone pieces that are entering the last year of their contracts. Reporters may also ask Schneider about extensions for wide receiver D.K. Metcalf and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner in particular.
As for the 2022 draft class, the quarterback group is supposed to be relatively soft (none of them are ranked in the top 15 overall). However, the class is projected to be strong at a couple of spots Seattle needs to upgrade; namely offensive tackle and edge defenders. Starting right tackle Brandon Shell is set to become a free agent and upgrading the pass rush is a priority Carroll and defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt have both mentioned.
We will follow the conversations and post updates as they come.
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