The Seahawks are showing interest in one of the NFL’s best remaining free agents. They’ve made an offer to running back Devonta Freeman, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM reports (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times). However, they’re not aligned on dollars, and the Seahawks are holding their ground for now. Seattle is offering a one-year deal with a base value of less than $3MM and a maximum value of up to $4MM, tweets Mike Silver of NFL.com.
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The Seahawks’ interest in Freeman is partially due to Rashaad Penny‘s knee injury. Penny is unlikely to be available for the start of training camp and Caplan hears that his Week 1 availability is in question. Beyond Penny, the Seahawks also have Chris Carson, Travis Homer, and fourth-round pick Deejay Dallas on the depth chart.
Seattle believes Carson will be good to go this year and feels big things are in store for Homer after he averaged 6.3 yards per carry as a rookie. Still, they could use more help at RB and Homer’s impressive showing came in a limited sample size of totes.
Freeman, 28, appeared in 14 games for the Falcons in 2019 but averaged just 3.6 yards per carry on 184 attempts. Advanced metrics weren’t any more complimentary of Freeman’s performance, as Football Outsiders ranked him just 41st among 43 running backs in success rate.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks have also discussed a reunion with Marshawn Lynch. There’s likely only room for one of the two vets in Seattle.
This could be a good move. Lynch would fit their style more…if it were three years ago. Unfortunately he did not look close to his previous form last postseason, but with more dedicated training and a contract during the offseason, who knows. As for Freeman, he’s likely in better football shape and Seattle has not had a pass catching smaller back since letting McKissic and Prosise loose. Carroll was big on the latter two, and possibly would try using Freeman (who is also more closely removed from starting football shape than Lynch) in that role. Neither back is what they once were, and Freeman has had some recent injuries. That said, it’ll come down to what Seattle wants-more of the same to cover for their injured starters, or more versatility to pair with them when they get back. In any case, you can’t have two 24s on the same roster, right?
I think it’s unfair to judge Marshawn’s 2019 performance, esp his YPC since he ran behind a decimated O-Line against SF and Philly’s Defensive front’s.
True. I don’t think he’s useless by any means, but he did look different. That’s to be expected given his year off and age combined with how he plays. To be clear, I don’t think one or the other is an overall better player necessarily because they both offer different skill sets and also different concerns, but whomever the Seahawks pick will tell us how they view their areas of need. I think both offer production as a backup/spot starter in different ways.
yessss finally a Seattle team makes a good move
I don’t understand why freeman won’t want to sign a deal with playoff contender! I mean he’s way better than anybody Seahawks have as running backs right now on the main roster!
they are not only contenders theve been in the playoffs every year basically
Mr. Carson would like to talk with you.
He sucks and by the way if Carson played with another team other than the Seahawks he would be garbage