Seahawks’ Free Agency Shift: A New Era of Roster Building?
The Seattle Seahawks experienced a remarkable turnaround, culminating in a Super Bowl victory in 2026. A key component of this success? A deliberate change in free agency strategy, moving away from a long-held approach. But will they stick to this new path as they navigate the upcoming offseason?
From Band-Aids to Building Blocks
For years, the Seahawks favored one-year contracts to fill roster holes, a strategy often referred to internally as applying “a thousand bandaids.” This approach, while providing short-term fixes, often left the team revisiting the same positions year after year. Although, in 2025, general manager John Schneider signaled a shift, signing players like Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, and DeMarcus Lawrence to multi-year deals.
This change represented a departure from previous statements about avoiding long-term commitments to outside free agents. The results, as evidenced by their Super Bowl run, were undeniable.
The Cost of Flexibility: A Appear at the Numbers
The Seahawks spent roughly $58.86 million on free agents in 2024 and $56.69 million in 2025. While the overall spending was similar, the *type* of contracts differed significantly. The 2025 class featured more multi-year commitments, indicating a willingness to invest in players for the long term.
Pro Tip: The 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) significantly altered the landscape of free agency, making one-year deals less attractive due to the rookie wage scale. Teams found it increasingly cost-effective to develop young players on long-term, affordable contracts.
The Impact of the CBA and Player Development
The current CBA, and even more so the 2020 CBA, has limited practice time, hindering the development of younger players buried on the depth chart. Signing veterans on one-year deals can block the progress of rookies and draft picks, preventing them from gaining valuable reps in practice and games. Laken Tomlinson’s presence in 2024, for example, limited the development opportunities for younger guards Christian Haynes and Sataoa Laumea.
Analyzing the 2024 Free Agent Investments
A closer look at the 2024 free agent class reveals a pattern. In many cases, the players signed to address specific needs ended up being the same players who filled those roles throughout the season. However, the cost-benefit analysis wasn’t always favorable. The team spent nearly $20 million on free agents who didn’t necessarily outperform cheaper, developing players already on the roster.
The Seahawks’ shift in strategy in 2025, prioritizing multi-year deals, appears to have been a direct response to these challenges. By investing in players they believe can contribute long-term, they aim to avoid the cycle of constantly patching holes with short-term fixes.
What’s Next for the Seahawks?
As free agency approaches, the Seahawks face a critical decision. Will they continue down the path of building through multi-year contracts, or revert to their previous habit of prioritizing short-term flexibility? The success of their 2025 strategy suggests the former is the more prudent course of action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did the Seahawks change their free agency strategy?
A: The team recognized that the current CBA and limited practice time made it difficult to develop young players when blocked by veteran free agents on one-year deals.
Q: Was the change in strategy successful?
A: Yes, the Seahawks won Super Bowl LX in 2026, demonstrating the positive impact of investing in players for the long term.
Q: What is the rookie wage scale?
A: The rookie wage scale, established by the CBA, sets predetermined salary levels for drafted players, making them significantly more affordable than veteran free agents.
Q: Will the Seahawks continue to prioritize multi-year contracts?
A: That remains to be seen, but the success of the 2025 strategy suggests they will.
Did you grasp? The Seahawks spent more on free agency in 2024 and 2025 than in previous years, but the composition of those expenditures changed dramatically, favoring longer-term commitments.
Want to learn more about the Seahawks’ roster building strategies? Explore our other articles on team analysis.
