The Seattle Seahawks have 19 unrestricted free agents, plenty of cap space, and a desire to compete in 2020.
That may look like a recipe for a team who plans to utilize either the franchise tag or the transition tag this offseason – but not so, according to general manager John Schneider.
“I don’t see us tagging anybody,” Schneider told assembled media at the NFL combine. “I’m sure it’s going to be huge benefit to a couple of clubs that feel like they are going to have a chance to lose an impact player.”
Schneider’s comments are in line with the team’s overall philosophy in his regime, as they have only used the franchise tag twice since he took over as general manager – once last year on defensive end Frank Clark, who was traded shortly after.
For this year, the only player who would realistically make sense is Jadeveon Clowney, and the team promised not to use the tag on him when they acquired him late last year, so that’s not an option.
Right tackle Germain Ifedi and defensive tackle Jarran Reed are potentially options as well, but the estimated value for a one-year tag contract for them is $16.1 million and $15.5 million, respectively, and that’s almost certainly too rich for the Seahawks.
The team has until March 10 to make an official decision on franchise and transition tags, although it seems very unlikely that anything will change, leaving Ifedi, Reed and Clowney all on the open market.
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