Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett among 6 Seahawks listed in top 100 cut candidates

The Seahawks need cap space. Badly.

The Seattle Seahawks have some big decisions to make regarding key players on their roster over the next couple of months.

This chart by OverTheCap.com’s Nick Korte shows two teams with bad effective cap space situations and a whole lot of non-guaranteed cash due. The X-axis extends very far relative to the rest of the NFL entirely because of the Seahawks and the New York Jets.

In OTC’s list of top 100 cut candidates, the Seahawks were tied for the most with six players: Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Noah Fant, George Fant, and Dre’Mont Jones. We might as well disregard Metcalf as a cut candidate (but not totally discount a trade, even though it’s very unlikely).

Here’s the rundown on the Seahawks’ predicament:

The Seahawks face a much different situation: currently about $30 million over the salary cap, but also coming off a 10-7 season in which they just missed the playoffs. Players low on this list, certainly Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, seem very unlikely to be cut, and could instead be restructure candidates to defer cap dollar charges. Metcalf already has several void years on his contract to use for this purpose–Smith would need to agree to add the same. On the other hand, players such as Dre’Mont Jones or Noah Fant might not get as much of a benefit of the doubt. A very difficult decision may also need to come for Tyler Lockett, who is highly respected as the longest tenured Seahawk.

None of the Seahawks listed has any guaranteed salary for 2025 and all of them have one year left on their existing deals.

While Jones and Fants George and Noah are more likely than not to be cut candidates come March, the main focus will be on Smith and Lockett. Smith’s cap hit is $44.5 million, up from $38.5 million following his $6 million worth of contract escalators reached in the season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Lockett restructured his deal to reduce his cap hit in 2024 but increase his hit in 2025, which is just under $31 million. Those cap numbers encompass non-guaranteed base salary, signing bonuses, and roster bonuses.

There’s no chance the Seahawks are keeping everyone. Some will be extended to lower the 2025 cap hit, others will be let go via trade or released, or… maybe some will just play out their contracts? Stay tuned.