Seahawks Among Greatest Beneficiaries of Rising NFL Salary Cap

Seattle Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett hauls in a touchdown during a regular season game at Lumen Field.

While the NFL has yet to announce the finalized number for 2025, the Seattle Seahawks stand to benefit as much as any team with the league informing all 32 clubs that the salary cap will increase more than $20 million compared to last season.

Per Dan Graziano of ESPN, league officials sent a memo to each NFL team indicating the cap would rise to between $277.5 million and $280.5 million, a dramatic increase from the $255.4 million cap from a year ago. Pending negotiations with the NFL Players Association on deferment money stemming from a $10 million reduction in Player Cost and Salary Cap amount in 2024 ultimately will dictate the finalized cap number and the league expects a resolution within the next week.

Entering a new league year, the Seahawks had one of the worst salary cap situations in the NFL, as OverTheCap.com still had them sitting more than $10 million in the red even after restructuring defensive tackle Leonard Williams’ contract two weeks ago. With the adjustment for the new projected cap numbers, however, the organization will now be just $6 million over the cap, making the process to reach compliance a bit easier for general manager John Schneider before the start of free agency on March 14.

Of course, Seattle will need to do more than simply become cap compliant in the next several weeks. With several key free agents such as linebacker Ernest Jones and defensive tackle Jarran Reed set to hit the market next month, Schneider will need to pull some levers to create cap space to re-sign players and be able to do business pursuing outside free agents as well.

But while that may sound like a daunting task, especially with Jones likely to command top-five linebacker money, the Seahawks have no shortage of options for manufacturing instant cap space. In fact, through a combination of restructures, extensions, and cap casualties, Schneider can create more than $75 million in cap relief in a pinch.

As the first likely order of business, Schneider and the front office will have to make some tough decisions on several high-priced veterans, starting with legendary receiver Tyler Lockett. The veteran wideout saw his numbers dip last season with Jaxon Smith-Njigba taking on a bigger role on offense, catching just 49 passes for 600 yards with two touchdowns. With a cap hit north of $30 million on the final year of his contract, it’s been widely speculated that Seattle will cut him to open up $17 million, though a renegotiated deal to retain him could still be a possibility.

Away from Lockett, Noah Fant carries an expensive $13.4 million cap hit next season and after catching just one touchdown last season, the Seahawks may be inclined to reallocate money to another position group rather than continue paying an underachieving tight end, especially considering AJ Barner’s unexpected success as a rookie. Releasing or trading the former first round pick would open up $8.9 million in cap space.

On defense, the Seahawks recently pushed back a roster bonus deadline for outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, delaying a potential decision to release him for $8 million in cap savings or restructure his current deal after he endured a second straight injury-marred season. Entering the last year of his contract and coming off another somewhat disappointing campaign with just four sacks, defensive end Dre’Mont Jones could be a cut candidate as well to open up an additional $11.5 million in cap relief.

Seattle also will have the option of moving on from tackle George Fant, defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris, and safety Rayshawn Jenkins, as that trio of moves would generate another $15-plus million in cap savings for Schneider to work with.

As for other cap-creating measures at Schneider’s disposal, quarterback Geno Smith and receiver DK Metcalf will both be entering the final year of their respective contracts with bloated cap hits of $44.5 million and $31 million respectively. Signing either player to an extension would open the door for reallocating cap hits to future seasons by turning 2025 base salary and non-prorated bonuses into pro-rated bonuses. Extending Smith with such reallocation of funds could open up as much as $23 million in cap space in 2025, while extending Metcalf could create as much as $13 million.

With so many different options for Schneider to consider before free agency begins, as well as the possibility for extensions to happen later in the offseason, it will be fascinating to see what the Seahawks decide to do to create an influx of much-needed cap relief. While tough decisions still await, however, a higher than expected salary cap figure should ease some of the immediate burden and potentially allow the team to keep a key player or two who looked to have both feet out the door only a few weeks ago.