Seahawks among several teams making cost-cutting moves ahead of free agency
Several NFL teams made a flurry of moves Tuesday as the deadline for franchise tags hit and with free agency on the horizon.
In Seattle, the Seahawks’ remodel under new coach Mike Macdonald started Tuesday as the team released safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs, and tight end Will Dissly in moves that will give the team a boost of salary cap space ahead of the start of the new league year.
The release of Diggs and Dissly will save Seattle $18 million against the cap. They will get about $6 million in cap relief with the release of Adams but also take on nearly $20 million in dead cap money by releasing him immediately and not waiting until after June 1.
Outside of Seattle’s decision to keep Geno Smith on board as the presumptive quarterback going into next season, the three roster moves are the most significant made so far since Macdonald was hired as the replacement for Pete Carroll.
Seattle general manager John Schneider said at last week’s NFL combine that this was the week the team intended on starting to make some roster decisions with free agency on the horizon.
The release of Adams concludes four disappointing seasons in Seattle that were defined by injuries and one big contract that Adams never played up to. Seattle felt Adams — an AllPro selection in 2019 — was the missing piece when it sent two first-round picks to the New York Jets before the 2020 season. They stayed true to the commitment when the Seahawks signed Adams to a four-year deal worth up to $70 million after his first year in Seattle.
At times early in his Seattle tenure, Adams looked to be the dynamic presence the Seahawks were seeking when the trade was made. But injuries and problems as a pass defender ultimately limited what he could provide and made him a liability on the field.
Adams suffered through injuries to his shoulder and fingers, but the most impactful to his career was a torn quadriceps tendon suffered in the 2022 season opener. It took more than a year for Adams to return and when he did, he was limited in how much he could play.
Adams had two years left on his contract with Seattle but no more guaranteed money.
Both Diggs and Dissly were entering the final years of their contracts.
Diggs had been a leader for Seattle since his arrival via trade from Detroit during the 2019 season. Diggs made three straight Pro Bowls between 2020-22, but his production dipped in 2023 as Seattle’s defense regressed throughout the season.
Diggs started all 72 games he played during his Seattle tenure and had 32 passes defensed and 18 interceptions in the regular season.
The release of both Adams and Diggs leaves Julian Love as the only safety with extensive playing time on Seattle’s roster.
Dissly was a fourth-round pick by Seattle in 2018 and opted to stay with the Seahawks on a three-year contract signed before the 2022 season. Dissly was always a blocking-first tight end, but his role as a pass catcher took a dip in 2023 as he had only 17 receptions on 22 targets and one touchdown.
The move with Dissly leaves Seattle lacking a tight end with experience on the roster at the moment as both Noah Fant and Colby Parkinson can be free agents when the new league year begins next week.
In other news of players being cut:
— The Buffalo Bills have informed running back Nyheim Hines that they will be releasing him this week as part of a salary cap-cutting move, a person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday. Though the Bills have held open the door to re-signing Hines, there’s no guarantee the player will return once free agency officially opens on March 13. Hines was entering the final year of his contract, and missed all of last season due to a knee injury sustained in a jet ski accident just before the start of training camp last summer. The 27-year-old Hines has resumed training, though it’s unclear when he’ll be cleared to practice.
— Linebacker Eric Kendricks was released by the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday, a move that frees up $6.5 million in salary cap space. Kendricks signed a two-year deal with the Chargers last season after eight years with the Minnesota Vikings. He played in 15 games, including 14 starts, and was second on the team with 117 tackles. Kendricks also had 3 1/2 sacks, seven tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
— The Miami Dolphins released linebacker Jerome Baker on Tuesday, a move that frees up about $9.8 million in salary cap space. Baker, whom the Dolphins drafted in the third round in 2018, was entering the final year of a three-year extension but is coming off a season in which he missed extended time because of injuries. He made 82 starts for Miami and had 22 1/2 sacks, five interceptions and six forced fumbles.
— The Jacksonville Jaguars cut half their starting secondary Tuesday to create $16.6 million in salary cap space, releasing veteran cornerback Darious Williams and safety Rayshawn Jenkins minutes apart. Williams started 30 games over the past two seasons in Jacksonville and Jenkins started 50 games over the past three seasons with the Jaguars.
— The New York Jets plan to release veteran tight end C.J. Uzomah, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The move, which was expected, will save the Jets about $5.3 million on their salary cap. Uzomah signed a three-year, $24 million contract with placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on starting receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on Tuesday. the Jets in 2022 and finished with just 29 catches for 290 yards and three touchdowns in 27 games over two seasons in New York.
While several players are being shown the door, other are being locked up — at least partially — by their teams in the form of franchise tags. The Kansas City Chiefs, as expected, tagged cornerback L’Jarius Sneed on Monday, and on Tuesday several more teams tagged players before the league’s deadline:
— The Indianapolis Colts placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on starting receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on Tuesday. The move comes less than a week after general manager Chris Ballard promised Pittman would be a Colt next fall. The two sides have been discussing a contract extension since the end of last season. Under the tag, Pittman can test the free agent market by negotiating with other teams. If he comes to an agreement, the Colts can match the offer. If they choose not to match it, they will receive two first-round draft picks from Pittman’s new team.
— The Carolina Panthers placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Brian Burns before Tuesday’s deadline. The 25-yearold Burns would make $24 million in 2024 under the tag if he doesn’t sign a contract extension before the July 15 deadline. Burns has 46 sacks during his five seasons with the Panthers, including eight last season.
— The Jaguars used their franchise tag on standout pass rusher Josh Allen on Tuesday, essentially guaranteeing he will play at least another year in Jacksonville. Allen, the seventh overall pick in the 2019 draft, set a single-season franchise record with 17 1/2 sacks in the final year of his rookie contract and is 10 shy of the team’s career mark (55) held by Tony Brackens (1996-2003). Jacksonville’s non-exclusive franchise tender, assuming Allen signs it, would guarantee him $24 million in 2024.
— The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on Antoine Winfield Jr., a move Tuesday that ensures the All-Pro safety a one-year, $17.1 million salary for next season. The team will continue to seek a long-term agreement with the four-year veteran who leads all defensive backs in sacks (15), quarterback hits (21), forced fumbles (11) and fumble recoveries (eight) since entering the NFL as a second-round draft pick in 2020.
— The Chicago Bears placed the franchise tag on cornerback Jaylon Johnson on Tuesday after he made his first Pro Bowl in the final season of his rookie contract. Johnson would earn $19.8 million in 2024 if he doesn’t agree to a multiyear deal before the July 15 deadline. He has said he wants to remain with the Bears. Johnson, who turns 25 in April, had four interceptions last season after picking off one pass in his first three years. He was named a second-team AllPro.
— The Baltimore Ravens put the franchise tag on Justin Madubuike on Tuesday after the defensive tackle finished his rookie contract with a breakout season in 2023. The franchise tag for defensive tackles comes with a one-year cost of just over $22 million. Madubuike, a second-team All-Pro selection, had 13 sacks last season, more than doubling his previous career high.