Seahawks Begin Cap-Cutting Moves, Release 4 Veterans

The Seattle Seahawks announced the release of George Fant, Dre'Mont Jones, and Rayshawn Jenkins on Tuesday.

Ramping up preparations for the start of free agency later this month, the Seattle Seahawks announced they have released defensive end Dre’Mont Jones, defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris, safety Rayshawn Jenkins, and tackle George Fant in cap-creating maneuvers.

Headlining the first group of cap casualties for the Seahawks, Jones won’t finish the three-year, $51 million contract that he signed in March 2023 as a big ticket free agent addition and releasing him will create more than $11 million in salary cap relief. The 28-year old struggled to live up to lofty expectations after signing the massive contract, failing to hit the five sack mark in either of his two seasons in the Pacific Northwest and generating just 12 combined tackles for loss and 25 quarterback hits during that time.

Last summer, Seattle restructured Jones’ contract to make him more affordable for the 2024 season and added a void year to his deal to spread out the remaining cap hit with hopes that he would play up to expectations. With his production declining compared to a disappointing first season with the team, however, it was widely speculated the Seahawks would move on and indeed they opted to cut ties rather than absorb a $25 million cap hit.

Sticking on the defensive line, Robertson-Harris came to Seattle in a pre-trade deadline deal with Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round pick, producing 13 tackles and a pass defensed in 11 games as a rotational reserve. With no guaranteed money remaining on his contract, the team will save more than $6 million against the cap with his release.

Last spring, the Seahawks brought back Fant, a former undrafted signing out of Western Kentucky, on a two-year deal with the expectation that he would hold the fort at right tackle while starter Abraham Lucas recovered from offseason knee surgery. But the veteran injured his knee in the first quarter of a season-opening win over the Broncos and wound up playing in just two games with a total of 30 offensive snaps, spending the majority of the year on injured reserve while Stone Forsythe and rookie Mike Jerrell started three or more games apiece until Lucas finally returned.

With Lucas now healthy and Jerrell remaining under contract, Seattle will free up more than $3 million by releasing Fant, whose career may be hanging in the balance after nine seasons in the NFL.

As for Jenkins, the Seahawks signed the veteran safety to a two-year deal last March and he opened the 2024 season as the team’s starting strong safety, producing 38 tackles and a fumble returned for a touchdown in six starts to open the year. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken hand that ultimately required surgery and while on injured reserve, Coby Bryant played outstanding ball in his place with three interceptions and a pick six, stealing the starting job for the remainder of the season.

After returning, Jenkins continued to see action as a third safety for Seattle, recording two sacks in the final six games as a key situational role player. But with a cap hit north of $7 million for 2025, the team offered him a chance to seek a trade last week and without any suitors, cutting him opened up an additional $5 million in cap space, bringing the overall savings for the team to $27.25 million with the four moves.

Now listed with $16 million in cap space according to OverTheCap.com, the Seahawks likely aren’t finished making moves, including the strong possibility that they will release long-time star receiver Tyler Lockett. The 11th year veteran carries a $30 million cap hit for 2025 and after posting his worst statistical season since 2017, barring an agreement on a massive pay cut, it is expected he will be cut free at some time this week.

Seattle also has been working with defensive end Uchenna Nwosu on a restructured contract to lower his salary cap hit for next season, while quarterback Geno Smith and receiver DK Metcalf could be signed to lucrative extensions to provide immediate cap relief as well. Extending Smith would create up to $23 million in instant space, while extending Metcalf could open upwards of $10 million in space for the organization heading into free agency.