After June 1, a seasoned Seattle Seahawks player can be a trade or cut candidate.
As noted by Tony Catalina of Pro Football Network, Tyler Lockett, a wide receiver, may make sense. The Seahawks would incur a $9.9 million dead cap charge and save $17 million if they traded or released Lockett after June 1.
Catalina contends that moving the 31-year-old Lockett could make sense if the Seahawks continue to lean towards a younger squad, particularly under the new leadership of first-year head coach Mike Macdonald.
“The Seahawks could save money and initiate a more youthful approach with a team that seems to be getting younger by trading or cutting Lockett with a post-June 1 designation, which would save Seattle $17 million with a roughly $9.9 million dead cap hit,” writes Catalina.
The Seahawks’ go-to receiver is still Tyler Lockett.
Lockett joined the Seahawks in 2015 after the team selected him with a third-round draft pick. Since the 2015 season, the 5-foot-10 receiver, who has the oldest contract among Seattle’s players, has been a starter.
In spite of his upcoming 32nd birthday in 2024, Lockett is still the team’s second-best receiver and an effective weapon.
In fact, Lockett was the team’s top receiver with the second-most receiving yards and touchdowns. With three more targets than standout receiver D.K. Metcalf, his 122 targets also outpaced the Seahawks.
But it’s important to remember that Seattle has Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a first-round pick in 2023, sitting in the wings. As the team’s third option, Smith-Njigba had a successful rookie campaign, amassing 63 receptions for 628 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
It’s reasonable to argue that the Seahawks will eventually seek Smith-Njigba as their second option, if not already this season.
When considering salary caps, the decision is unquestionably sound. In the offseason, Lockett consented to a reworked contract worth $30 million spread over two years, with a $34 million maximum value and a guaranteed amount of around $13 million this season.
According to DeArdo, “Lockett’s cap hit dropped from $53,790,000 to $30 million over the next two years by virtue of his restructure.” “Lockett will make between $15 and $17 million this season instead of $27 million due to a contract restructuring.”
Why It Makes No Sense for the Seahawks to Unload Tyler Lockett in 2024
It is important to remember that the $17 million in cap savings would begin to apply for the 2025 season.
It makes little sense to release Lockett given that the Seahawks are expected to at least push for a postseason spot in their first season under a new head coach.
It is more likely that a valuable trade offer will materialise. Though Lockett was officially the Seahawks’ top receiver the previous season, it would have to be a draft pick that made Lockett’s release worthwhile.
The more likely scenario is that Seattle keeps Lockett, but the seasoned receiver will play a smaller part in the offence.
Lockett’s release by the Seahawks is illogical, and it’s difficult to imagine other clubs swarming to sign a receiver who is about to turn 32 and has a salary value of more than $18 million.
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