The Seattle Seahawks are coming into free agency after locking up one of their own in Michael Bennett and another former player is getting attention as well, as Brandon Browner could be a free agent option for the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys or Washington Redskins.
The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl champions after their defense put on a dominating performance against the Denver Broncos and now they have to work on rebuilding their roster and keeping as many important pieces on the team in 2014 and names like Michael Bennett, Brandon Browner, Walter Thurmond, Steven Hauschka, Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin are priorities, as is Richard Sherman's potential contract extension.
Bennett was an important part of the defensive line all season and he made his presence felt in the Super Bowl and now he could be set to cash in as a free agent on the market along with names like Greg Hardy and Justin Tuck. Bennett should have some suitors and he cost nearly $5 million last season and while the Seahawks loved his skills off the line, he said that he would not be giving a team discount to stay. UPDATE: Michael Bennett is staying in Seattle and he is in on a four-year, $28.5 million deal after helping the team win the Super Bowl.
The Richard Sherman contract situation will be interesting to keep an eye on as well as he will be eligible and the way he has played this season and the one previously should have him in line for a nice payday. Sherman was front and center for the Seahawks after tipping the pass to set up the Malcolm Smith interception against the 49ers and while he was injured in the Super Bowl, he made an impact while shutting down Peyton Manning's receivers.
As long as Bennett isn't too unreasonable with his contract demands, he could return, but the way the Seahawks have drafted and worked the free agent scrap heap, if he asks for too much he is gone. Two guys up the middle to keep an eye on also are Clinton McDonald and Tony McDaniel, as both are free agents after costing the team just over $1 million total and a pay raise for both players means it's likely only one will return. McDonald had over five sacks for the team, an interception and a fumble recovery, while McDaniel had over 50 tackles from his DT position.
Browner was recently a Pro Bowler, but his issues with the league and the suspensions he had to serve may keep him from coming back and on top of that, Byron Maxwell stepped in and played well enough to take over. The same goes for Walter Thurmond, as he came in for Browner after he was suspended and then he got suspended to make way for Maxwell and the only way he stays is if he comes in at a low cap number.
Kickers don't usually get paid all that much compared to other positions, but Hauschka has proven he is a valuable part of the Seahawks and is in line for a raise. The Giants used their franchise tag on one of their special teams players two years ago after winning the Super Bowl and the Seahawks could do the same and that could be over $3 million per season. The Seahawks also have Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin hitting the market and will try to keep at least one of those players.