The Seattle Seahawks had a rough season last year, especially when it came to their offensive line. With a total of 50 sacks, Geno Smith was one of the most frequently sacked quarterbacks in the NFL. Only two other quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud, were taken down more often, with 68 and 52 sacks respectively. It’s clear that the offensive line was a major issue for the Seahawks, but that doesn’t mean that the entire line was bad. In fact, there is one former top 10 pick whose contract situation will be one to watch this season.
Ereck Flowers, the 9th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, was acquired by the Seahawks in a trade with the Miami Dolphins last year. After playing at left tackle for the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars, Flowers was moved to left guard in Miami. However, his performance at guard was lackluster and he was eventually benched. When he joined the Seahawks, he was expected to compete for the starting left guard spot, but he ended up playing just one game before suffering a season-ending injury.
Now, with a new season on the horizon, Flowers’ contract situation is one that the Seahawks and their fans should keep an eye on. The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his contract and is set to earn $10 million in 2021. This is a significant amount for a player who has yet to prove himself as a reliable starter. However, the Seahawks have a few options when it comes to Flowers’ contract.
First, they could choose to restructure his contract. This would involve renegotiating the terms of his deal to lower his cap hit for the upcoming season. This would give the Seahawks some much-needed cap space to address other areas of their team, such as the defensive line or the secondary. However, Flowers’ performance on the field will need to improve in order for the team to justify keeping him on the roster.
Another option for the Seahawks is to release Flowers. This would free up all $10 million of his salary, but it would also leave a void in the offensive line. While Flowers’ performance last season was underwhelming, he still has potential to be a solid contributor. The Seahawks may not want to give up on him just yet, especially considering he was a top 10 pick just a few years ago.
The third and most likely option is for the Seahawks to keep Flowers on the roster and hope for a breakout season. With a new offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron, the team’s offensive line could see some changes and improvements. Flowers may benefit from a fresh start and a new system that plays to his strengths. Plus, with a full offseason to recover from his injury, he could come back stronger and more determined to prove himself.
Regardless of what the Seahawks decide to do with Flowers’ contract, it’s clear that his performance this season will be closely monitored. If he can step up and solidify his spot on the offensive line, he could be a key piece in the team’s success. However, if he continues to struggle, the team may have to make some tough decisions.
In the end, it’s important to remember that Flowers is just one player on a team of many. The Seahawks have plenty of other talented players on their roster, and they will need to work together as a unit to improve their offensive line performance. With a strong training camp and preseason, Flowers could prove that he is worth the investment and help the Seahawks reach new heights this season.
In conclusion, the Seahawks’ offensive line was a major issue last season, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have potential for improvement. One player to keep an eye on is Ereck Flowers, whose contract situation will be closely watched by the team and its fans. With the right mindset and determination, Flowers could become a valuable asset for the Seahawks, and help them reach their ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl. Let’s hope for a successful season for both Flowers and the Seahawks. Go Hawks!