NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2022 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which means free-agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2022 NFL draft begins April 28 on ESPN.
The Seahawks enter 2022 free agency in a much different situation from the one they’ve known for much of the past decade:
Lots of money to spend. No Russell Wilson at quarterback.
Even with the fourth-most cap space of any team, according to ESPN’s roster management data, last week’s Wilson trade and whatever degree of rebuild it signals calls into question how active the Seahawks will be in free agency. A true rebuild would prioritize younger players in the draft as opposed to high-priced veteran additions in March, which hasn’t been their MO anyways.
It’s hard to predict without knowing what the Seahawks’ plan is to replace Wilson and thus how competitive they think they can be in 2022.
What’s clear is that they have the funds to be players in free agency if they so choose. The Wilson trade was roughly a net wash in terms of 2022 cap space, but Bobby Wagner‘s release cleared $16.6 million, putting the Seahawks at around $48 million entering the two-day negotiating window, according to roster management data.
That also creates another hole at middle linebacker to go along with their other needs at cornerback, edge rusher, offensive line, running back and, of course, quarterback.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2022 NFL free-agent signing by the Seattle Seahawks and how each will impact the upcoming season:
The Seahawks and Diggs have agreed to terms on a three-year, $40 million contract, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Diggs will get $28 million over the first two years. The $13.33 million average is more than what Diggs would have made in 2022 had Seattle applied the $12.9 million franchise tag.
What it means: Re-signing a 29-year-old free agent on that big of a deal suggests the Seahawks aren’t in full-fledged rebuild mode, as some assumed they would be by trading Wilson and releasing Wagner last week. It suggests they plan on being competitive in 2022 and that they plan to make Diggs a focal point of their revamped defense under new coordinator Clint Hurtt. The Seahawks struggled to take the ball away in 2021, so unless they were tearing it all down, they couldn’t afford to lose one of the best ball hawks in the NFL and the player who was arguably their team MVP last year. Diggs is one of the more respected players in Seattle’s locker room. His return on a big deal positions him to fill the leadership void on defense left by Wagner’s departure.
What’s the risk: Diggs is 29 and coming off a serious injury, having suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle in the season finale. Coach Pete Carroll said at the scouting combine that he has no doubt that Diggs will be back on the field in time for training camp. His injury aside, Diggs’ deal means two of the Seahawks’ highest-paid players are safeties, which the NFL generally doesn’t consider a premium position. That won’t be an issue if Diggs continues to play at a Pro Bowl level and if Jamal Adams ($17.5 million average per year) can get back to his pre-2021 form. Will they?