2025 marks the first year in which Charles Cross is eligible for an extension. The Seahawks’ left tackle said in June he would be interested in a long-term pact, and that stance has not changed. 
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“I want to be in Seattle for my career,” the former first-rounder said (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson). “That’s something I always thought of and wanted for myself. Hopefully we can get something done and it’ll go that way.”
Cross noted during those remarks that extension talks have yet to take place between his camp and general manager John Schneider, who agreed to another new Seahawks pact last week.. Plenty of time remains for a deal to be struck, of course. Seattle made the easy decision to pick up the Mississippi State product’s fifth-year option last spring. As a result, Cross is on the books through 2026 with a scheduled $17.56MM in compensation for that season.
A multi-year pact will cost much more considering the upward movement in the tackle market. Recent days have seen three notable pacts worked out for blindside blockers, including Rashawn Slater receiving a record-breaking Chargers pact. His new Bolts deal carries an average annual value of $28.5MM. Bernhard Raimann (Colts) and Kolton Miller (Raiders) have also inked deals north of $20MM per season. A total of 14 tackles are now at or above that AAV figure.
Cross will no doubt look to join that group on his second contract. The 24-year-old has missed only three games to date in his career, and in 2024 he received a top-10 PFF grade at his position. A new pact for right tackle Abraham Lucas – who has only one year remaining on his deal – may be seen as a more urgent endeavor for Seattle in spite of his injury issues. In any case, Cross’ case will be an interesting one to watch whenever extension talks begin.
In more immediate news, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Cross recently underwent surgery to repair a dislocated finger. The issue had been lingering, per Henderson. Given the timing of the procedure, a full recovery in time for Week 1 is expected. It remains to be seen if any traction toward a long-term contract will have been made by that point, however.
Competent tackles are like new tires – ya know you’re good in the corners and curves