As roster talent departs and a record-breaking $11 billion valuation slips, lackluster bidder interest stalls the franchise’s transition, leaving Seattle’s future as uncertain as its depleted defense.
They lost a lot of free agents. But they're going to win when it comes to the franchise sale ...
Right?
The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl champions for the second time in franchise history, and that is both "forever'' and "behind them now'' as we have moved through NFL free agency ...
And in terms of roster talent, Seattle is trying to keep its head above water here.
The Seahawks did re-sign receiver Rashid Shaheed (to a three-year, $51 million deal). And they did the same with cornerback Josh Jobe (three years, $24 million).
Those are the two big ones.
And the Seahawks free agent departures?
That would be a list made up of running back Kenneth Walker (to the Kansas City Chiefs), safety Coby Bryant (to the Chicago Bears), pass-rusher Boye Mafe (to the Cincinnati Bengals) and cornerback Riq Woolen (to the Philadelphia Eagles).
It is worth noting that these free agency losses for the Seahawks go hand-in-hand with the team's long-term contract plans with young studs Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon, both of whom are essential parts of the club's future.
So all the Seahawks need now is ...
An owner.
The Seahawks sales process, according to a report from ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, is "soft.''
Multiple league sources indicate to ESPN that interest surrounding a potential Seahawks sale has not reached the same level of intensity seen in previous high-profile NFL sales.
“It’s soft,” one team owner said.
Added another ESPN source: “There isn’t as much action as there was with Denver and Washington'' in reference to the Broncos’ 2022 sale and the Commanders’ 2023 transaction.
The numbers that have been thrown around as the Paul Allen estate looks to sell the club? They've been as high as 11 billion ... but league buzz now suggests that the final number may fall nearer the range of $9 billion.
So ... why "soft''? Maybe it's relative, based on the idea that it was "supposed to be'' $11 million.
Even at $9 million, though, the Seahawks would set a record for the highest sale price in NFL history.
And of course none of this has anything to do with the football program itself, run so successfully by GM John Schneider ... in a way largely separate from ownership.