The Seahawks are hoping to keep Sheldon Richardson long term but placing a franchise tag on him is unlikely, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Richardson is currently slated to hit the open market in mid-March.
The Jets traded Richardson to the Seahawks on Sept. 1 for wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and a second-round pick in the 2018 draft. Richardson tallied one sack last season – a career low – while making 27 tackles in 15 starts.
Along with Richardson, the likes of Jimmy Graham, Luke Joeckel, Paul Richardson, Luke Willson, Bradley McDougald, Blair Walsh and others are set to become unrestricted free agents. The franchise tag for a defensive lineman this offseason is expected to be $17.5MM. Richardson made $8.01MM in base salary last season.
Recently, Zach Links of Pro Football Rumors categorized Richardson as a “Toss Up” when analyzing potential franchise tag candidates.
Despite being shipped out at the beginning of last season, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported in December that there was mutual interest in the Jets and Richardson reuniting this offseason. Richardson was taken with the 13th overall pick of the 2013 draft by the Jets out of Missouri.
The Jets are likely to part ways with Muhammad Wilkerson this offseason, creating an opening on the team’s defensive line. Wilkerson has disappointed since signing his five-year, $86MM extension prior to the 2016 season.
The Seahawks are set to return Jarran Reed at defensive tackle, after making 15 starts last season, and also have Malik McDowell, Garrison Smith and Nazair Jones under contract next season.