Tag: Bruce Irvin

Branden Jackson could be cap casualty for Seahawks

Branden Jackson is under contract for $2.13 million, money the Seahawks could look to use elsewhere after making multiple additions at DE.

The Seattle Seahawks have a full 90-man roster and limited cap space remaining after recently finalizing contracts for Bruce Irvin, Carlos Hyde and Geno Smith.

However, that doesn’t mean they are done signing folks in free agency. And with plenty of talented players still available on the open market, the Seahawks could definitely find ways to shed some salary in order to make an addition or two before camp is set to begin in late July.

One way they could do so is by cutting veteran defensive end Branden Jackson. Jackson signed his restricted free agent tender back in April, bringing him back to the Seahawks and paying him $2.13 million in 2020.

While that’s not a huge some of money by any means, it would give the team slightly more wiggle room if they wanted to pursue a defensive tackle like Mike Daniels or Damon Harrison.

Jackson appeared in 15 games last year, recording 20 combined tackles, two passes defended and two sacks as a reserve five-tech. Seattle has yet to make a big signing to bolster their pass rush, but the additions of Irvin, Benson Mayowa and two draft picks: Darrell Taylor and Alton Robinson, may be enough to push Jackson out of the rotation.

If Jackson cannot earn a spot over the newcomers, as well as returners like L.J. Collier and Rasheem Green, then Seattle will likely cut ties in order to use that cap space elsewhere.

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Seahawks to utilize Bruce Irvin at SAM linebacker on early downs

The Seattle Seahawks plan to use Bruce Irvin in the same capacity they did his first time with the team from 2012-2015.

Bruce Irvin’s first tenure with the Seattle Seahawks lasted four seasons, with the former first round pick lining up primarily as an outside linebacker and coming off the edge on third downs, where he managed to rack up 22 sacks in 58 games.

Since then, Irvin has established himself as a well above-average pass rusher, playing 61 games in the last four seasons and totaling 30 sacks, including a career-high 8.5 last year with Carolina.

While Irvin has proven a capable defensive end, the Seahawks are apparently planning to utilize him the same way they did in his first go-round with the team, as an early down SAM linebacker and a defensive end on third downs.

“Pretty much the same,” Irvin offered to Seattle media when asked about his role with the team.

Irvin has thrived coming off the edge since his time in Seattle, but now he will compete with K.J. Wright and first round pick Jordyn Brooks for snaps at the SAM linebacker position.

It’s unclear exactly how things will shake out in the linebacker corps. Bobby Wagner is starting in the middle, no doubt, but coach Pete Carroll indicated Wright can be moved from WILL to SAM, and Brooks will likely compete at WILL to start out.

So, does that mean Irvin and Wright will compete with each other at SAM? What about Cody Barton? Irvin’s revelation leaves a lot more questions than answers, and it seems like it would make more sense, based on Seattle’s current roster construction, to allow Irvin to play defensive end exclusively and leave the linebacker corps as is.

Of course, there could still be more roster moves to be made, including the addition of a premier pass rusher, and Wright’s offseason shoulder surgery could be far more of a concern than the team has let on up to this point.

Even if Irvin is back in his old role, the nine-year veteran believes he has more to offer than he did in his first tenure with the Seahawks.

“I’m a more polished player,” Irvin continued. “The game is slower. I know how to set up certain moves, I know how to study film. How to take care of my body.”

How Irvin is utilized will have long-reaching effects on this Seattle defense in 2019, and probably won’t be fully answered until the start of the season in September.

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Bruce Irvin told Bobby Wagner he missed being with Seattle last year

Bruce Irvin texted Bobby Wagner after the Seahawks win over the Eagles last year, telling him how badly he wanted to be back on the team.

The Seahawks brought the band back together this offseason, re-signing a pair of pass rushers who used to call Seattle home in Benson Mayowa and Bruce Irvin.

Irvin made it clear just how happy he is to be back with the Seahawks after spending the last four years elsewhere – calling his return “refreshing”.

“At this stage of my career, I felt like going back home with Seattle, I consider it my home, that was the best thing that could happen to me, especially in year nine,” Irvin told local Seattle media on Tuesday. “I couldn’t ask for a better situation.”

Irvin originally joined the Seahawks as the team’s first round pick in the famous 2012 draft, which also netted the Seahawks Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson – but was widely panned as a failure by draft pundits at the time.

He was with Seattle until 2016, and has been in Oakland, Atlanta and Carolina over the past four seasons.

Irvin was excellent last year with the Panthers, posting a career-high 8.5 sacks in just 13 games. His return to the Seahawks gives them a formidable pass rusher and outside linebacker, and it allows Irvin to reunite with former teammates and coaches – including defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr, who Irvin has a lot of respect for.

“Norton is a guy that I consider not only as my coach but as a father figure,” Irvin continued. “The guy took me to Oakland with him, and also he played a major role in bringing me back to Seattle.”

While Irvin said he had some other options this offseason, he made it clear just how badly he wanted to be back with the Seahawks, a feeling he had long before free agency officially opened in March.

“After the Philly game (Seattle’s Week 12 win over the Eagles) I sent Bobby a text message while they was on the plane, I was like ‘damn I wish I was on that plane with y’all'” Irvin continued. “I just wanted to come back man.”

Irvin is back home now, and he gives this Seattle squad a veteran pass rusher who is familiar with the defense and who can come in and immediately contribute, something they sorely need after a disappointing season getting to the quarterback in 2019.

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CBS Sports wonders if Seahawks can manufacture more of a pass rush?

Sean Wagner-McGough of CBS Sports asked and answered one burning question for each of the four teams in the NFC West heading into 2020.

With the offseason in full virtual form and NFL facilities yet to reopen, analysts are busy making their projections for the regular season. Sean Wagner-McGough of CBS Sports asked and answered one burning question for each of the four teams in the NFC West heading into 2020.

For the Seattle Seahawks, Wagner-McGough ponders whether or not they can manufacture more of a pass rush.

“The pass rush is obviously a big problem,” he writes. “Jadeveon Clowney remains unsigned. Getting him back would be a nice signing. It would also make a ton of sense for the Seahawks to sign a productive veteran like Everson Griffen.”

But as of this post, neither has happened and Seattle must either stick with who they’ve got or search the other available free agents.

“Otherwise, the Seahawks are relying on Bruce Irvin (back for a second stint) at the age of 32 after he registered a career-high 8.5 sacks with the Panthers a season ago,” Wagner-McGough continues. “They’re also counting on Jarran Reed to have a bounce-back season after he followed up a 10.5-sack season in 2018 with a two-sack season in 2019 and L.J. Collier to justify his selection in the first round of the 2019 draft after failing to register a sack during his rookie season.”

With the start of the season still to be determined, the Seahawks still have some time to put the finishing touches on their pass-rush efforts.

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Seahawks seem content not making a big free agent signing

Despite clearing cap space, the Seattle Seahawks seem content to avoid making any big time free agent signings this offseason.

The first seven weeks of free agency have come and gone, with the 2020 NFL draft sprinkled in between, and while a handful of top-tier pass rushers remain available on the open market the Seattle Seahawks seem perfectly content to roll into the 2020 season with few, if any, more additions.

The recent release of Justin Britt and D.J. Fluker seemed to indicate a move was on the horizon, but those decisions appear to have been made to help the two veterans find a new job (which already happened for Fluker) rather than an immediate need to clear cap space.

With Jadeveon Clowney, Everson Griffen and Clay Matthews still available via free agency, and Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue reportedly still available via trade, it looks more and more likely that Seattle will instead use their additional cap space as insurance during the season, something general manager John Schneider has repeatedly indicated is a priority for them.

“We have to be careful with our budget and our salary cap because as you guys have seen, we take pride in our ability to work with the coaches and try to build our team throughout the season,” Schneider said in a radio interview shortly after the draft. “This thing doesn’t stop when you get to 53. It doesn’t stop after the draft. There will be cap casualty guys out there throughout the offseason. What you don’t want to do is bring yourself right to the point where you’re not able to add players that are all of the sudden available on the market that you didn’t see coming.”

Another wrinkle is the recent report that Bruce Irvin will get paid a base value of $5.5 million in 2020, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson. That figure is higher than many expected, and gives the Seahawks considerably less financial flexibility to pursue a big name pass rusher this offseason.

The team will head into training camp with returners Rasheem Green, L.J. Collier, and Branden Jackson as well as Irvin and fellow free agent signing Benson Mayowa, and the two draft picks: Darrell Taylor and Alton Robinson, all fighting for spots on the defensive line.

Whether that is enough talent to piece together an effective pass rush remains to be seen, but those holding their breath for another big addition may want to let go, at least for now.

Of course, this team has also proven time and time again they are willing to make big moves right before, or even during the season, so the door will never be fully closed.

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Seahawks unwilling to match previous offer to Jadeveon Clowney

The Seattle Seahawks appear set to only bring Jadeveon Clowney back into the mix if he takes an offer lower than their previous one.

Neither Jadeveon Clowney or the Seattle Seahawks have closed the door on a reunion, but after nearly six weeks of being on the open market it is looking less and less likely that the big time defensive end will be back in the green and blue next season.

In fact, Clowney’s waiting has actually lowered the price Seattle is willing to pay for his services, a league source told ESPN’s Brady Henderson on Wednesday.

Clowney originally wanted a contract in the $21 million dollar range annually, with the asking price reportedly dropping to roughly $17 million last month.

Seattle does not currently have an offer on the table, according to Henderson, after Clowney rejected their latest.

The team has roughly $21 million in cap space at the moment, but that does not include the contract of Bruce Irvin, which has yet to be finalized, as well as other potential costs against the cap.

Additionally, general manager John Schneider has made it very clear he hopes to have additional cap space available to them during the season.

“We have to be careful with our budget and our salary cap because as you guys have seen, we take pride in our ability to work with the coaches and try to build our team throughout the season,” Schneider said in a radio interview shortly after the draft. “This thing doesn’t stop when you get to 53. It doesn’t stop after the draft. There will be cap casualty guys out there throughout the offseason. What you don’t want to do is bring yourself right to the point where you’re not able to add players that are all of the sudden available on the market that you didn’t see coming.”

Although Clowney indicated he is interested in a return, and Schneider has not shut the door, the team opted to move on with their offseason by signing Irvin and Benson Mayowa, two guys who combined for 15.5 sacks last year.

Irvin and Mayowa join Darrell Taylor and Alton Robinson, the two edge defenders Seattle selected in the NFL draft.

Factoring in the team’s confidence in L.J. Collier and Rasheem Green next season, the Seahawks could ultimately decide to move forward with who they already have on the roster, outside of maybe making their customary veteran addition on the interior defensive line.

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A look at where Alton Robinson fits along Seahawks defensive line

Alton Robinson posted gaudy sack totals in college, but will that production translate into a productive NFL career for the Seahawks?

The Seattle Seahawks decided to double up on defensive ends in the 2020 NFL draft, using a second rounder on Darrell Taylor and taking a shot at Syracuse’s Alton Robinson in the fifth.

However, Robinson was a perfectly logical gamble for John Schneider and the staff to take, as he posted gaudy sack totals during his two years at Syracuse – and his top of the line athleticism and explosiveness off the edge should translate at the next level.

“I’m really fired up that we were able to get Alton [Robinson] where we got him,” coach Pete Carroll said after the draft. “He’s got the ability and the production to do stuff like guys that were picked quite a bit higher. We were fortunate to get that done.”

However, with Taylor and Robinson joining newcomers Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa, the team seems to already have a lot of bodies along the defensive edge – and that’s not even including a potential big addition like Jadeveon Clowney or Everson Griffen.

So where does that leave Robinson in year one? Well, fifth round defensive ends aren’t usually expected to have big roles on the defense right away, and Robinson’s lack of length (his 32 3/8 inch arms are the shortest the Seahawks have ever drafted at DE) will likely limit him to being a situational pass rusher right off the bat.

Eventually, Robinson has the tools to settle into a backup DE role, much like the role Mayowa is expected to fill this year, and the role Branden Jackson has had for the past few seasons.

Robinson may never be a star, but a quality pass rusher who generates pressure in a limited role is a perfectly fine result for a fifth round pick, and one that seems easily attainable for Robinson.

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Seahawks in communication with free agent Everson Griffen

The Seattle Seahawks recently had communication with free agent defensive end Everson Griffen, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

The Seattle Seahawks have taken multiple steps to address their depleted pass rush ahead of the 2020 NFL season.

However, after bringing the old band back together with the signings of Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa, and selecting two LEO type edge rushers in Darrell Taylor and Alton Robinson, the team still has not made the big free agent splash the fans are hoping for.

Jadeveon Clowney remains the most logical target, but despite repeated offers from the Seahawks, he has chosen to wait out the market to see if his asking price will be met.

General Manager John Schneider made it clear the door is not shut on a Clowney return, but indicated the team has to move on. Moving on apparently includes having conversations with the second most notable defensive end on the open market, Everson Griffen.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, speaking on the radio at 950 KJR, the Seahawks have had recent communication with Griffen, but not with Clowney.

Griffen is a 10-year veteran who recorded eight sacks and 24 quarterback hits at age 32 last year, making his fourth Pro Bowl appearance.

He would very clearly be an improvement for the Seahawks off the edge, and his size lines up with what the team looks for at the five-tech position – an area of need after Quinton Jefferson’s departure.

Seattle has the cap space and the need to acquire Griffen, and a reunion with coach Pete Carroll, who coached him at USC, could be just what the doctor ordered for both Griffen and the Seahawks in 2020.

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Could Seahawks pursue free agent defensive end Taco Charlton?

The Miami Dolphins just released defensive end Taco Charlton, could he be a free agent target for the Seattle Seahawks?

When the Miami Dolphins announced the release of 25-year-old defensive end Taco Charlton on Thursday, it instantly prompted fans and media members to speculate that the Seattle Seahawks would show interest.

After all, coach Pete Carroll loves his former first round picks, and Charlton is coming off the best season of his three-year career.

Charlton was a first round pick in 2017, going 28th overall to the Cowboys after a stellar senior season at Michigan. He ended up serving in a backup role in Dallas for his first season, and after a mediocre year in 2018 he was released early in the 2019 campaign, where he caught on with Miami.

The Dolphins managed to get Charlton straightened out somewhat, as he recorded a career-high five sacks and two forced fumbles in just 10 games played.

However, after drafting three defensive linemen in the 2020 NFL draft, Miami must have found Charlton expendable – and now he finds himself looking for his third NFL team in his first four professional seasons.

After adding two defensive ends in the draft – Darrell Taylor and Alton Robinson – as well as free agents Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa, it’s fair to wonder if Seattle even has room for Charlton on the roster.

While he’s not a substitute for a Jadeveon Clowney or Yannick Ngakoue type addition, Charlton is certainly worth bringing into camp and seeing if the improvements in his numbers are worth buying into.

After all, 25 year olds coming off five sack seasons – which would have led the Seahawks last year – don’t grow on trees, and there’s plenty of room for improvement at the back of Seattle’s defensive line pecking order.

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Seattle Seahawks finalize 4 signings ahead of 2020 NFL draft

The Seahawks finalized the signings of Bruce Irvin, Joey Hunt, Branden Jackson and Bryan Mone on Thursday, a few hours before the NFL draft.

The Seattle Seahawks continued to make some of their previously announced signings official, reporting the signing of veteran Bruce Irvin and the re-signing of three players from last year’s squad: center Joey Hunt, defensive end Branden Jackson and defensive tackle Bryan Mone.

Irvin’s signing was initially reported in mid-March. The veteran pass rusher was with the Seahawks from 2012-2015 after the team made him their first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, ahead of Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson.

Irvin spent time with the Raiders, Falcons and Panthers after that, but will return to Seattle in a strongside linebacker role, while doing some pass rushing in applicable situations as well.

Hunt and Jackson were both restricted free agents who officially signed their tenders earlier this week. Hunt will compete at center, where he has been the backup since 2016 – even starting eight games last year in Justin Britt’s absence.

Jackson is a reserve defensive end who had two sacks last year and will look to make the team in a similar role again in 2020.

Mone was signed as an undrafted free agent last year, and played sparingly as an interior defensive tackle. He will compete for the snaps vacated by Al Woods this offseason.

The NFL draft will kick off at 5:00 p.m. PT on Thursday, April 23, and the Seahawks presently own one pick, No. 27 overall, in the first round.

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