SEATTLE — The Seahawks on Tuesday introduced the releases of outdoor linebacker Dre’Mont Jones, defensive deal with Roy Robertson-Harris, security Rayshawn Jenkins and offensive deal with George Fant — anticipated strikes that mix to save lots of the staff roughly $27 million in cap house.
And that will solely be the beginning of their pre-free-agency wage purge, with indicators pointing to broad receiver Tyler Lockett possible being launched later this week barring an surprising restructure of his contract.
Jones is probably the most important of the 4 cuts Seattle introduced Tuesday.
Not generally known as huge spenders in free company, the Seahawks made an out-of-character splurge to signal Jones in March of 2023, and it did not pan out. He did not miss a sport in two seasons, however with solely 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in that span, he did not have the impression that was anticipated when Seattle made him the priciest free agent addition in franchise historical past with a three-year, $51.53 million deal.
After enjoying each defensive deal with and finish in 2023, Jones, 28, dropped weight to play extra of an outdoor linebacker position in Mike Macdonald’s protection final 12 months. The Seahawks hoped Macdonald’s penchant for transferring round defenders up entrance would assist unlock Jones, however he performed predominantly on the sting and recorded 4.0 sacks whereas coping with a shoulder damage for a lot of the 12 months.
Jones was set to make $16.51 million in 2025, none of which was assured. If the Seahawks are making him a regular launch, the transfer will save $11.57 million in cap house and include a lifeless cap cost of $14.1 million.
The Seahawks acquired Robertson-Harris, 31, final October in a commerce with the Jacksonville Jaguars, giving up a 2026 sixth-round choose so as to enhance the depth alongside their line of defense. He completed with zero sacks and one deal with for loss in 11 video games with Seattle as his enjoying time diminished considerably in November and December.
Robertson-Harris was set to make a non-guaranteed $6.6 million in 2025. The Seahawks will save that quantity in cap house together with his launch, which leaves behind no lifeless cash.
Jenkins joined the Seahawks final March on a two-year, $12 million deal to start out alongside Julian Love. He missed 4 video games in the midst of the season with a left hand damage and was changed by Coby Bryant, whose emergence relegated Jenkins to the No. 3 security position upon his return from injured reserve.
The Seahawks gave Jenkins, 31, permission to hunt a commerce, however nothing materialized. He was set to make a non-guaranteed $5.4 million in 2025. His launch saves Seattle $5.28 million in cap house whereas abandoning $2.5 million in lifeless cash.
The Seahawks bought solely 30 snaps out of Fant after signing him to a two-year, $9.1 million deal final March as a hedge at proper deal with with Abe Lucas coming off knee surgical procedure. Fant, 32, harm his knee within the opener then aggravated the damage when he got here again in November, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
Fant was set to make a non-guaranteed $3.8 million in 2025. Together with his launch, the Seahawks will save that quantity towards the cap whereas taking over $1.85 million in lifeless cash.
Earlier than Tuesday’s cuts, the Seahawks had been round $6.8 million over the 2025 spending restrict, based on OverTheCap. Extra strikes are possible coming earlier than the beginning of free company subsequent week.
With Lockett and the Seahawks apparently headed for a break up, the staff has been discussing a reworked take care of Uchenna Nwosu that will decrease the surface linebacker’s $21.17 million cap cost.
The Seahawks additionally had preliminary discussions with Geno Smith’s agent on the mix a couple of new deal. Normal supervisor John Schneider instructed reporters in Indianapolis that they hope to increase the veteran quarterback — which might decrease his $44.5 million cap cost — although it isn’t clear if that may occur earlier than the beginning of free company.
