One Surprise Cut the Seattle Seahawks Could Still Make This Offseason

The Seattle Seahawks have been a perennial playoff team since Russell Wilson became the starting quarterback in 2012. While the franchise rightfully gave the six-time Pro Bowler a gargantuan four-year, $140 million contract extension last offseason, it puts Seattle in a position where it will have to make some tough roster decisions.

After all, salvaging as much money as possible will only help getting the most out of Wilson's remaining prime years. One player that the Seahawks could surprisingly unload this offseason is safety Bradley McDougald.

McDougald is entering the final season of a three-year, $13.5 million contract he signed with Seattle in the 2018 offseason. Prior to the arrival of Quandre Diggs, the 29-year-old was an alarmingly inconsistent cog in the Seahawks secondary. While he performed better with Diggs as his counterpart, it further confirmed that McDougald isn't the difference maker that the Seahawks hoped he'd be when they signed him.

In 2019, the former Kansas Jayhawk logged 70 tackles, two interceptions, and six pass deflections. Those aren't terrible numbers, but they don't necessarily justify his $5.4 million cap hit for the 2020 season.

If 2019 second-round pick Marquise Blair makes the necessary strides throughout camp and the preseason, head coach Pete Carroll could thrust him into the starting spot opposite Diggs. This would give the Seahawks the out they need to release McDougald, which would save the organization over $4 million.