With the Seahawks on their bye week, let’s take a look at the 2025 free agent market on the offensive line.
The Seattle Seahawks are on a bye and have only a six percent chance of making the playoffs. Therefore, it is good to start looking at possible targets to be brought in free agency.
On paper, the draft class is not one of the best. Therefore, John Schneider’s work in free agency will be fundamental (if he is the GM in 2025). We will need more Uchenna Nwosu signings than Dre’Mont Jones, Greg Olsen, Cary Williams, Luke Joeckel.
Let’s look at some players who are set to hit free agency in 2025 and who may interest the Seahawks.
Ryan Kelly, C (Indianapolis Colts)
The veteran has been extremely solid during his nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. He played in 118 games and was a 4-time Pro Bowler. He is currently on injured reserve with a knee injury, so he is something to watch. Kelly has given up less than 10 pressures in the last two years and could finally give us some stability at center.
Kevin Zeitler, OG (Detroit Lions)
The 35-year-old veteran is not a long-term solution, but he would be a huge upgrade over Laken Tomlinson. He missed some time this season with a groin injury. Still, Zeitler has been extremely effective, especially as a run blocker in his last few years with the Lions and Ravens. He still has room to be effective as evidenced by his career-high 80+ pass block grade and 78+ rushing grade.
Teven Jenkins, OG (Chicago Bears)
The Bears could have had a near-perfect start to the draft with Justin Fields and Teven Jenkins. The QB is no longer in Chicago, and Jenkins struggled with injuries before finding his home as OG in 2022. Since then, he has been very efficient, especially in the running game. However, injuries continue to plague the 26-year-old Jenkins. He has never played more than 700 snaps in a season or played more than 13 games.
Zack Martin, OG (Dallas Cowboys)
Another OL option with plenty of experience. Martin, 34, isn’t as dominant as he was in his golden years, but he’s still one of the best guards in the NFL. The seven-time All-Pro would be another option to help fix the Seahawks’ disastrous OL in the short term.
Trey Smith, OG (Kansas City Chiefs)
I followed Smith’s career with the Tennessee Volunteers in college. He had the talent to be a first-round pick. However, injury issues dropped his draft stock and the Chiefs shined to take him and Creed Humphrey. As such, Smith should expect to receive a big contract next offseason, and he deserves it. He’s extremely physical and a mauler in the run game.
James Daniels, OG (Pittsburgh Steelers)
A target I’ve been monitoring since he left the Bears. He’s 27 and was playing very well for the Steelers until he tore his Achilles in Week 4. Daniels also has the versatility factor, having played center in College at Iowa.
Garrett Bolles, OT (Denver Broncos)
I don’t know what Seattle will do at OT next year at both spots. Too many injuries and uncertainty, particularly at right tackle. Unless his fifth-year option is picked up, Charles Cross will be entering a contract year in 2024. Bolles, 32, came into the league at 25 and struggled with penalty trouble, especially in his early years. However, Bolles has become one of the best under-the-radar left tackles in the NFL.