Are the Seahawks Heading for a Rebuild?
Have we seen the last of the Legion of Boom? After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011, there are a lot of questions surrounding what the Seattle Seahawks roster could potentially look like next season.
That’s a pretty strong indication from Pete Carroll that Chancellor and Avril’s careers are over. https://t.co/e6B2IzMxG2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2018
To start, safety Kam Chancellor and defensive end Cliff Avril could be facing potential career-ending injuries. Chancellor has been key to the success of Seattle’s secondary since entering the league in 2010, losing him would destroy the L.O.B. As for Avril, since joining the Seahawks in 2013, he’s arguably been their best pass rusher outside of Michael Bennett. Seattle hasn’t had either of these two for most of the season, and it showed. Their defense struggled big time, which is something we haven’t seen from Seattle in a while. Those two are going to be hard to replace if they are to retire.
Earl Thomas runs to greet Jason Garrett, then as he walks into the COWBOYS lockerroom, he says, “If you have a chance to get me, come get me.” pic.twitter.com/N395wVU2Jz
— Edward Egros (@EdwardEgrosFox4) December 25, 2017
Next is Earl Thomas, another member of the L.O.B. Remember a couple weeks ago when he told Jason Garrett to “come get him?” I think that could actually happen this offseason. Thomas is arguably the best free safety in the NFL, and he could demand a high asking price. If Seattle is to end up rebuilding, why wouldn’t they look to trade one of their best assets to get younger? He also has one year left on his current contract and accounts for a large part of their cap, so they would be smart to move on now instead of letting him jump ship in free agency next year.
2-time Pro Bowl DE Michael Bennett, 32, tells me after #Seahawks‘ season ends: “I probably won’t be back next year.
“Just seems like it’s a young man’s game. I can see them going younger, with younger players. That’s part of the game.”
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) January 1, 2018
Report: Jimmy Graham likely to leave Seahawks in free agency https://t.co/rqkrPSKodv pic.twitter.com/xGnNiaArQY
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 2, 2018
Michael Bennett, Jimmy Graham, and even Richard Sherman, who is recovering from an Achilles injury, could ALL be gone this off-season. Bennett and Sherman could end up being released or traded, and Jimmy Graham isn’t expected to come back in free agency. The list of key players just goes on and on. And to make things even worse, they might need a new coach too:
@JayGlazer saying that #Seahawks HC Pete Carroll *may* retire at the end of the season. Says decision is up to him.
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) December 31, 2017
Pete Carroll, who pretty much resurrected this team and led them to two Super Bowls, could also be out the door.
So is Seattle heading for a rebuild? The answer is yes. They are going to have to build around Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner, which is a pretty solid starting point if you ask me. It’s just crazy to think that this team made back to back Super Bowls just 3 years ago, and now all of this is happening. It really makes you appreciate the sustained success the Patriots have had for the last 18 years.
Written By: Nick Cherico (@NickCherico2)