Tag: Tyler Lockett

Trade Fodder? DK Metcalf among 5 coach-connected candidates Cowboys could call about

With so many holes in the Dallas roster, Cowboys will need to find multiple ways to improve. | From @cdpiglet

The Dallas Cowboys have many holes to fill before they kick off the 2025 season, and while most fans worry about how the team will approach free agency, they could instead look to trade for upgrades.

The last few significant trades that Jerry Jones have only recently been eclipsed in Dallas-area fandom ire by Nico Harrison jettisoning Luka Doncic, but there are some moves the Cowboys could make that would please the base in 2025.

CeeDee Lamb needs a running mate. Jalen Tolbert hasn’t shown signs of being that guy, and Jonathan Mingo is a long shot to develop into one. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer has a history with a couple of players for whom the Cowboys could try to acquire.

DK Metcalf had some of his best seasons with Schottenheimer as his offensive coordinator, including his second-highest receptions total (83), most ever receiving yards (1,303), and both of his top two touchdown receptions in a single season totals.

Tyler Lockett also had his best Seattle seasons with Schottenheimer. His only 1000-catch campaign, as well as his highest receiving yards mark (1,175) tooks place with Schotty calling the shots. In addition, his top-four touchdown totals all came in that stretch.

On the defensive end, new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton are familiar with a few options that the Cowboys could look to trade for.

Andrew Billings is a 6-foot-1, 311-pound one-technique who signed with the Chicago Bears in 2023. Under Eberflus, Billings had his most tackles in a season, 39, and his lowest missed tackle percentage, at 4.9%. He also had the most pressures since his rookie season.

The Cowboys could be losing Osa Odighizuwa to an enormous payday elsewhere.

Sheldon Rankins is a defensive tackle who played one season under Whitecotton while on the New York Jets. He had his highest total tackles and lowest missed tackle percentage in that season. Defensive end John Franklin-Myers might have had his most productive season in 2024 with the Denver Broncos, but he developed under Whitecotton. He started all 50 games he played under him, averaging 35 tackles, five tackles for a loss, 24 pressures, 16 QB hits, and five sacks in three seasons.

Dallas could sign cheap free agents with connections to their new coaching staff, like Leki Fotu, Javon Kinlaw, or Carl Lawson, but impactful trades could be the better way for the Cowboys to build a contending team.

Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett has been elite in one specific metric

Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett has been elite in one specific metric

Quarterbacks that create off-script are all the rage in today’s NFL. The remaining four quarterbacks on Championship weekend were all capable of extending the pocket and locating receivers downfield. Of course, in order to successfully do that, a team needs to roster receivers who thrive in the scramble drill.

Seattle Seahawks veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett has been outstanding in that area, despite receiving little nationwide acclaim for his creativity. Since 2018, Lockett places second in receptions on the scramble drill with 54, according to data collected by Next Gen Stats. He also ranks second in receiving yards (885) behind just Travis Kelce, and third in touchdowns (6).

It’s a reminder that Lockett and Russell Wilson were once an elite pairing in the scramble drill. Lockett is hardly a receiver analysts think of when discussing scramble-drill elitists. This in-depth statistic proves Kelce is the only pass-catcher who has been more successful at helping his starting quarterback extend plays.

Lockett finished third on the Seahawks in receiving yards (600) this season. He also placed third in targets (74) and receptions (49). The long-time Seahawk unfortunately qualifies as a likely cap casualty this offseason due to a bloated contract. If John Schneider severs ties with Lockett, the team will need someone to step up in off-script situations.

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6 Seahawks named potential cut candidates

6 Seahawks named potential cut candidates

The Seattle Seahawks need to create some salary cap space this offseason. General manager John Schneider is currently scheduled to possess a deficit in ‘effective cap space,’ according to OverTheCap. That’s precisely why OverTheCap releases an annual list compiling 100 potential cut candidates around the league.

OverTheCap acknowledges that many of the players listed won’t be outright released. There’s a few Seahawks that qualified for the list who definitely won’t be sacrificed. A few others are realistically on Schneider’s chopping block, however. The following six Seahawks made OTC’s list.

Geno Smith

Starting quarterback Geno Smith is on a contract that pays him $25 million per campaign, with $31 million cash due in 2025. The Seahawks won’t be releasing their No. 1 signal caller. Smith should conclude the remaining year of his three-year contract before deciding his fate in 2026.

D.K. Metcalf

DK Metcalf doesn’t possess any guaranteed salary in 2025, hence his qualification for this list. The Seahawks aren’t releasing Metcalf, who will be due another contract extension soon. Metcalf will continue serving as a big-time offensive playmaker for the next offensive coordinator.

George Fant

George Fant is a far likelier cut candidate. The veteran blocker was signed as insurance for Abe Lucas at right tackle, but suffered multiple injuries that completely prevented that hope from coming to fruition. Schneider will inevitably save nearly $4 million by releasing Fant.

Tyler Lockett

The legendary Tyler Lockett has likely played his final game for the Seahawks. His scheduled cap number of nearly $31 million qualifies as totally unmanageable. Lockett received a proper sending-off from the 12th Faithful this season.

Dre’Mont Jones

Dre’Mont Jones is a more interesting case. The Seahawks could create either $11.5 million (pre-June) or $16.5 million (post-June) by releasing him. They’d be waving goodbye to an effective defender who applied consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, however.

Noah Fant

Noah Fant could certainly be on the chopping block. Releasing the veteran tight end would create nearly $9 million in financial flexibility. Fant doesn’t possess any guaranteed money remaining on his contract, making it easy to sever ties.

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Seahawks have 0 free agents on Top 50 list

Seahawks have 0 free agents on Top 50 list

NFL free agency is slated to begin in March. It may be a quiet month for the Seattle Seahawks, who only possess 10 unrestricted free agents and 16 total players with contracts that require addressing. General manager John Schneider is currently slated to be nearly $31 million over the cap in “effective cap space,” per OverTheCap’s salary calculator.

Pro Football Focus recently released their list of the Top 50 free agents scheduled to reach the open market in mid March. Unsurprisingly, the Seahawks possess exactly zero players on PFF’s list. Schneider isn’t necessarily at risk of losing any big-time contributors this offseason.

It’s worth acknowledging the Seahawks do have a pair of veteran players who qualify as potential cap casualties. Scheduled to be over the cap, Schneider could create a significant amount of financial flexibility by releasing veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett and outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu. Both players have likely played their final downs in Seattle.

Would Lockett and/or Nwosu make this list if they were officially available? That’s for PFF to decide. Players on the list who could intrigue Schneider in free agency at the right price include offensive tackles Alaric Jackson and Dan Moore Jr., guard Mekhi Becton, and more.

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3 Seahawks who failed to meet financial expectations in 2024

3 Seahawks who failed to meet financial expectations in 2025

The Seattle Seahawks spent $253.3 million towards the salary cap in 2024, according to Spotrac. That ranked 13th in the league. General manager John Schneider also carried a 14th-highest $53.3 million in dead cap charges. With Seattle’s campaign officially in the book, we’ve identified three players who failed to meet financial expectations.

Tyler Lockett

Veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett carried the franchise’s second-largest cap hit in 2024 at $18,895 million, trailing just Geno Smith’s ($26.4 million). Lockett is a legend, but he did not meet those expectations, finishing third on offense in receiving yards (600) and receptions (49). With his scheduled cap hit rising to an unmanageable $30.8 million in 2025, a mutual parting of the ways is likely.

Uchenna Nwosu

Schneider managed to keep Uchenna Nwosu’s cap hit at a manageable $7.8 million, but recurring injuries prevented him from even reaching that ceiling, with him recording just one sack in six appearances. Luckily for the Seahawks, Nwosu doesn’t possess any guaranteed money remaining on his contract moving forward. He qualifies as a likely cap casualty, with Schneider saving nearly $15 million versus the 2025 cap by releasing the oft-injured pass rusher.

George Fant

The Seahawks signed offensive tackle George Fant to a two-year contract worth $9.1 million. The idea was for Fant to provide insurance at right tackle for Abe Lucas’ injury. The veteran swing tackle ended up getting injured himself, playing just 30 snaps. He’s a surefire release this offseason to save $3.8 million.

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Are Tyler Lockett’s cleats sending a message about his future?

Are Tyler Lockett’s cleats sending a message about his future?

The Seattle Seahawks are less than an hour away from kicking off against the Los Angeles Rams. This Week 18 game is not just the Seahawks’ final outing of the season, it could also be wide receiver Tyler Lockett’s final game of his career. Or, at the very least, with Seattle.

Lockett, who has had a marvelous 10 years in the league, has had a sharp decline in production this season and in the season prior. He also carries a massive $30 million cap hit going into 2025. His age, his production and cap hit have many wondering if this could very well be his final game with the Seahawks, and perhaps his career should he choose to hang up his cleats.

Oh, speaking of his cleats, his choice of footwear today certainly leads to further speculation this could be the end of the line for Lockett. He shared an image of them on his social media, and they can be seen below.

If this truly is the end of Lockett’s time in Seattle, then the Seahawks should do all they can to send him out with a win today. He deserves at least that much.

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Seahawks name Tyler Lockett captain for what could be his final game

Seahawks name Tyler Lockett captain for what could be his final game

The Seattle Seahawks could be in a state of further transition this offseason, especially when it comes to franchise legends. There has been much speculation about the fate of wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who has been a Seahawks staple ever since he was drafted in 2015. Lockett is nearing the conclusion of his 10th season in the league, which has seen him become indisputably the second best receiver in Seattle’s franchise history.

But his age, declining production, and massive salary cap hit has his future with the team in doubt. Lockett has been nothing but an exemplary Seahawk, as evidenced by the fact he earned his third Steve Largent Award this year. There are those who wonder if Seattle’s Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams could be his final outing in a Seahawk uniform. If this is the case, it is only fitting he has been named a team captain for this game.

Seattle has employed a rotating selection of team captains for each game, highlighting different players for different reasons. The potential final game for a franchise legend such as Lockett is good enough reason to make him one.

On the year, Lockett has hauled in 47 receptions for 572 yards and two touchdowns. It has been a three-year trend in reduced stats for Lockett, which lead those to believe his time in Seattle could be over. Especially since he is slated to count for an astonishing $30 million against the cap in 2025.

Lockett has been reflective of his career in recent years, and has smartly transitioned into a real estate business. Should he decide to hang up his cleats at the end of the year, he will have nothing to regret about what he accomplished in his decade in the league. Lockett currently trails only Steve Largent in all-time receiving yards (8566), receptions (659) and touchdowns (61).

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Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is chasing history in Week 18

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is chasing history in Week 18

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has experienced a breakout season as a sophomore in 2024. Smith-Njigba leads the Seahawks in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,121) and touchdowns (six) this year. JSN will be chasing history in Sunday’s regular-season finale versus the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18.

Franchise legend Tyler Lockett holds the organization’s single-season receptions record with 100 in 2020. That marks the only recorded time in Seahawks history that a receiver has reached or surpassed triple digits in catches. Smith-Njigba can equal Lockett’s record with four receptions, or surpass it with five catches. It’s worth noting Smith-Njigba is averaging a team-high six receptions per game this season.

DK Metcalf, for one, is hoping to watch Smith-Njigba shatter Lockett’s record on Sunday. “It’s like a passing of a torch in my opinion,” Metcalf told reporters on Wednesday.

It would be borderline poetic to watch Smith-Njigba break Lockett’s historic record in front of him in what’s potentially Lockett’s final game with the franchise. Smith-Njigba has been outstanding throughout 2024, putting a mildly disappointing rookie campaign (2023) behind him while undoubtedly meeting what the Seahawks’ pre-draft expectations were for him. JSN is already slated to cement himself in franchise history.

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Seahawks WR DK Metcalf heaps Tyler Lockett with praise amidst uncertain future

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf heaps Tyler Lockett with praise amidst uncertain future

Seattle Seahawks veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett the team’s longest-tenured player. Having spent his entire career to date in Seattle, Locket will conclude his 10th campaign with the organization in Sunday’s Week 18 regular-season finale with the Los Angeles Rams. Doing so, he’ll continue cementing himself as one of the most notable talents in franchise history.

Uncertainty awaits Lockett in the offseason. He’s had to accept a smaller role this season, totaling 47 receptions for 572 receiving yards and two touchdowns with one game remaining. That represents Lockett’s fewest catches, scores, and yards since his third campaign (2017). Meanwhile Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to develop, establishing himself alongside DK Metcalf as Geno Smith’s go-to weapons.

With unknown looming, Metcalf stepped to the podium on Wednesday, accepting a moment to heap praise on Lockett in front of local reporters. “He’s a Hall of Famer in my book, on and off the field,” Metcalf said.

Lockett is technically under contract with the Seahawks through next season. But there’s no guaranteed money remaining on his agreement, and general manager John Schneider could clear a sizable $17 million in cap savings by releasing him, per OverTheCap. Lockett’s scheduled cap charge is $30.8 million, an unfathomable, unrealistic amount given his declining production. At minimum, a vastly reworked contract would be required.

The writing is on the wall, just like it was for Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams last season. If Lockett’s career with the Seahawks concludes versus the Rams in Week 18, it’s been a pleasure. Lockett deserves the biggest send-off the organization can muster, whenever his time arrives.

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Tyler Lockett made Seahawks history in the first quarter vs 49ers

Tyler Lockett made Seahawks history in the first quarter vs 49ers

It has been evident for several years now that Tyler Lockett is easily the second best receiver in the history of the Seattle Seahawks. He trails only the legendary Steve Largent in receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns. On Sunday, he now joins Largent in another category.

In the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers, Lockett officially became the second player in franchise history to record 13,000 total combined yards as a Seahawk.

As a receiver, Lockett going into this game had 8,450 yards through the air. As a rusher, he has an additional 265. But what helped push Lockett over the edge are his 4,266 return yards – both kick and punt returns. When combining these stats with his 510 receiving yards in the playoffs, you’ve got a number eclipsing the 13,000 combined mark.

Congrats to Lockett, who continues to prove he is one of the best players to ever put on a Seahawks uniform.

Right now, the Seahawks trail the 49ers 7-3 with 0:10 seconds left in the first quarter. Lockett has two receptions for 19 yards.