The sure-to-be-new-look 2014 Seattle Seahawks are already starting to look pretty new. A scant 24 hours into the NFL’s new year saw the Seahawks say goodbye to former No. 1 pass rusher Chris Clemons, former No. 1 wide receiver Golden Tate and starting defensive tackle Clinton McDonald. These weren’t “who dats” and role players.
The departures are coming fast and furious.
In addition to these personnel losses, the Seahawks also released wide receiver Sidney Rice and defensive lineman Red Bryant before free agency got underway. Also departing for another team, little-used outside linebacker / defensive end O’Brien Schofield found a taker in the New York Giants.
To counteract these losses, the Seahawks have, to date, signed no new free agents of note — unless you count the just-returned Anthony McCoy. It bears mentioning that the Seahawks are not sitting idle, however. Green Bay Packers unrestricted free agent tight end Jermichael Finley is in Seattle to be examined medically. If fully recovered from his neck surgery, the talented and versatile tight end would make a nice addition to the sorely depleted Seahawks passing game. Finley has yet to be medically cleared for football contact, so a contract offer is likely a way off.
No longer golden
Golden Tate will be wearing silver and blue for the Detroit Lions for the next five years. He signed a lucrative $31 million deal with $13.25 million guaranteed — too rich for Seattle’s blood, but a wise deal for the Lions. Tate can be expected to very ably fill the No. 2 wide receiver slot opposite All-World receiver Calvin Johnson. That’s a pretty nice one-two punch for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Tate’s departure, coupled with the release of Rice, leaves a very large hole in the Seahawks’ receiving stable. His departure also likely strengthens the likelihood that Doug Baldwin will be staying in Seattle. Don’t be surprised if Seattle goes for a receiver with their first pick in the 2014 draft, now that their current No. 1 option is the oft-injured Percy Harvin and … and … Jermaine Kearse. That’s about it.
Round and round she goes
The release of Clemons marks the latest major shift in the revolving door that is the Seahawks’ defensive line. Clemons, Seattle’s top pass rusher from 2010 through the 2012 season, is now likely to join his former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, the head coach in Jacksonville. Clemons would be joining former line mate Red Bryant. Unrestricted free agent cornerback Walter Thurmond is also rumored to be joining Bradley in Jacksonville. Reports have him scheduled for a free agent visit in Jacksonville this week.
Although he didn’t land in Jacksonville, erstwhile defensive line starter Clinton McDonald did land himself a nice contract in nearby Tampa. McDonald was the first Seahawks free agent to sign with another team, inking a four-year contract for $12 million.
Curiously, the Seahawks have not yet released Brandon Browner as of this writing. Previously considered a foregone conclusion, it is now possible Browner’s updated suspension status may have Seattle thinking differently about his future. Perhaps Thurmond’s fate may hold the key to Browner’s. Browner will still have to miss the first four games of next season, but the Seahawks already know how to weather that storm, having gone through it in 2013 with Bruce Irvin.
Hang on and buckle up, 12th man. The Seahawks’ silly season, post-Super Bowl edition, is underway.
Julian Rogers is a freelance writer, communications consultant and owner of Juju Eye Communications. Follow him on Twitter (@mrturophile), or connect with him on LinkedIn and Google+.
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