The Seattle Seahawks have a lot of roster decisions to make. The team has been good about retaining most of their talent and meeting their contract demands, but that might not be so easy this time around. With big names facing talks of release, others might not be able to get the money they think they deserve. While Bruce Irvin told the media that he would be willing to take a discount in order to stay in Seattle, Jermaine Kearse is not planning on being so generous.
Kearse put together a nice contract season. He posted career highs in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns which should set him up for a solid pay day in free agency. Kearse knows his value in the league and knows that he can get a solid contract this offseason which is why he has no plans on accepting less money just to stay put.
"I love my hometown, but I've put in too much hard work to give a discount," Kearse said via ESPN.com. "My number one priority is to take care of my family's future, so I will consider all opportunities."
Kearse was a key member of the Seahawks receiving group, but he was overshadowed at times. Russell Wilson and Doug Baldwin put together a nice connection this season while Tyler Lockett had a solid rookie season with the Seahawks. Considering Jimmy Graham is also not going anywhere, Kearse might end up being the odd man out of the rotation if he demands too much money.
The receiver's stance is much different than the one Irvin is putting up. The linebacker is preparing for free agency and a nice pay raise after yet another solid season with the Seahawks. Irvin originally said he was planning on testing the market, but now he is noting that a pay cut might not be the worst thing if he gets to stay with Seattle.
"I was asked that," said Irvin, via ESPN.com. "Pete [Carroll] and John [Schneider] asked me that when I met with them today. If it came to that, I would definitely come back. $3, $4 million? $3, $4, $5 million? I would definitely come back because I'm established here."
Kearse and Irvin are just two of the issues the Seahawks need to work out. The biggest might be the future of Marshawn Lynch. Head coach Pete Carroll told the Seattle Times that he was really uncertain whether or not Lynch would come back next year considering his injuries and production do not match his contract number. With Thomas Rawls looking like the real deal behind him, Lynch could be on his way out.