The Seattle Seahawks have one of the worst salary cap situations in the NFL, making it tough to make substantial moves in the upcoming offseason (2025).
Over the Cap ranks the Seahawks as the fourth-worst team in the league, with a salary cap surplus of $13.4 million. Fortunately, Seattle can take some steps to better their predicament.
Two players to keep an eye on are wide receiver Tyler Lockett and tight end Noah Fant, both of whom are in their final year of contracts.
Lockett dropped to third in the wide receiver rankings last season and would cost $30.8 million in 2025, which is unacceptable. Meanwhile, Fant has not explained the Seahawks’ decision to maintain him at a $13.4 million salary charge.
NFL analyst Josh Northcutt of TWSN expects that the Seahawks will deal both players this offseason. This would save Seattle a massive $25.9 million in cap space, bringing the team cap compliant (approximately $12 million under the cap) while also allowing the Seahawks to make other moves.
I initially thought about Geno Smith or DK Metcalf, but in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s introductory press conference, he mentioned players like Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Charles Cross by name. Given that, it’s safe to say he’s not pushing for them to be traded, which brings me to Noah Fant.
Kubiak also mentioned that tight ends would play fullback. Fant’s blocking grade in 2024 was 54.8, ranking 47th out of 69 tight ends. His receiving numbers (48 receptions, 500 yards, one touchdown) also didn’t stand out. As a result, I could see a more pass-heavy team trading for Fant in exchange for a skilled blocking tight end. Or, if Mike Gesicki walks, Fant might be a typical “rental” the Bengals love to use at tight end.
Tyler Lockett is also up as a trade candidate, as his contract ($13,895,000/$17,000,000 – one-year left) is expensive and overpriced for a soon-to-be 33 year old slot wide receiver.
The Seahawks don’t have much negotiating power when it comes to trading either player, as the rest of the league understands Seattle’s dire cap situation will force them to cut both players if a trade isn’t reached.
Lockett, in particular, will be difficult to deal with, as no team will want to take on any part of his lucrative contract. That said, even if the Seahawks can receive pennies on the dollar for Lockett and Fant, they should pounce at the opportunity.
Of course, losing Lockett and Fant will force the Seahawks to reload their group of pass-catchers, as the two veterans ranked third and fourth on the team in receiving yards last season. On top of that, the future of DK Metcalf remains in limbo as he enters the final year of his contract.
A.J. Barner looks set to take the reins as the starting tight end, but more depth will be needed. At wide receiver, the Seahawks need to add at least two players, and preferably one of those players will be a long-term solution.
