The Seattle Seahawks have Kam Chancellor back at the team facility, as reports have the safety ending his holdout for a new contract heading into Week 3. The Seahawks have started 0-2 and they are happy to have Chancellor back and this comes as players like Doug Baldwin, Fred Jackson and Tyler Lockett could be fantasy sleepers for Russell Wilson against the Bears.
The Seahawks and Chancellor have been in a stare down since the preseason regarding a new deal for the safety and the team had been consistent in saying they would not bump Chancellor's salary. Chancellor held out for two weeks of the season and dealt with losing money on his deal and now ESPN reports that Chancellor has ended his holdout. Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday that Chancellor is heading to the team facility and will "talk with Seahawks management" about moving forward.
The Seahawks have started the season with two tough losses and while those losses cannot be blamed on Chancellor's absence, his presence sure could have made a difference. Chancellor's replacement Dion Lewis made some bad plays in Week 1 that helped the Rams win that matchup and now he returns after the loss to the Packers on Sunday night in Week 2. Chancellor now is back and the Week 3 schedule has the Bears and that will be the home opener for the Seahawks.
The Bears are going to be playing without Jay Cutler after he was injured and that means Jimmy Clausen will get the start for Chicago. That is a solid matchup for Chancellor to get back on the field for and he likely will need some time to get his rhythm back. Chancellor missed camp workouts and the preseason and the Seahawks may want to ease him back into things once he returns. The Seahawks defense has been one of the best in the league over the last few years, but this season the team has been giving up points and yards at a higher rate than usual.
The Seahawks have a good matchup with the Bears this weekend and that could be a great chance for the team to improve to 1-2 and get their first win of the season. Doug Baldwin comes in after making seven catches for 92 yards and a TD last week and he is a great fantasy option for Russell Wilson along with Jimmy Graham, who should get more chances after a bad game last week.. Fred Jackson scored a TD last week and while he is behind Marshawn Lynch, he is a solid option in deeper fantasy leagues.
Returning Chancellor to the secondary is a huge development for the Seahawks and the team is likely feeling confident heading into Week 3, as they are double digit favorites against the Bears. Chancellor has missed out on two game checks to start the season and once everything is resolved, he will get $267,000 per week in his contract. Chancellor has been fined for missing time and now that he is back, the two sides may have to figure out some money issues, according to PFT. The team may not start Chancellor in Week 3, but now that he is back, he will be on the field soon.
