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3 Players the Seahawks Won't Be Able to Keep This Offseason

By Evan Wolff

Jadeveon Clowney will be one of the most sought after free agents in the 2020 NFL offseason.
Jadeveon Clowney will be one of the most sought after free agents in the 2020 NFL offseason. / Dylan Buell/Getty Images

The NFC West is primed to be one one of the most difficult divisions in the entirety of the NFL once again. The Seahawks lost out on the division title by quite literally the length of a football in 2019, and the want to make sure that they don't end up as a Wild Card team again in 2020. In order to do so, Seahawks GM John Schneider will have a busy offseason replacing these three players who were vital in Seattle's successes last year.

3. Quinton Jefferson

Quinton Jefferson is a quality interior lineman who can disrupt any guard in the NFL.
Quinton Jefferson is a quality interior lineman who can disrupt any guard in the NFL. / Steven Ryan/Getty Images

While interior defensive linemen typically don't get a ton of live, Quinton Jefferson has the league's attention. The 26-year-old had a career high in sacks and in tackles in 2019, and will certainly test his value on the free-agent market. John Schnieder must do his research to find a quality defensive lineman that can be good in a run-heavy NFC West.

2. Mike Iupati

Mike Iupati has had two stints with the Seahawks totaling six seasons.
Mike Iupati has had two stints with the Seahawks totaling six seasons. / Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images

For many in the NFL, building a championship roster involves prioritizing the offensive line first. As a result, Iupati will be a hot commodity for teams desperate for a veteran presence up front. The 30-year-old still has some good years to offer any team, and the Seahawks don't seem willing to pay his increased price tag. The Hawks will yet again be dealing with turnover on the O-line.

1. Jadeveon Clowney

Jadeveon Clowney has 32 sacks over his six-season career.
Jadeveon Clowney has 32 sacks over his six-season career. / Rob Leiter/Getty Images

This is a difficult situation for the Seahawks, in which they simply don't have the cap space to pay for a player of Clowney's caliber. Seattle currently has $44 million in available cash, but do they want to spend most of that on Clowney, who will cost by some estimates nearly $22 million per year? With limited ways to restructure and find more money, in addition to filling other needs, Seattle must prepare to explore other options that will generate the fearsome pass rush that Clowney provided.