Who might be interested in signing Seattle Seahawks left tackle Russell Okung?
The Seattle Seahawks’ biggest weakness during their recent run of success has been the offensive line, and the unit could take another hit this offseason. Left tackle Russell Okung is set to hit free agency and figures to generate plenty of interest among teams with a need at offensive line.
Vitals
Age: 28
Notable stat: Started 72 games in six years
All-Pro teams: 0
Pro Bowls: 1 (2012)
Contract Comparisons
As a starting-caliber left tackle, Okung should be in for a healthy pay raise. While Okung is more of an above-average lineman than an elite one, starting left tackles are very difficult for teams to find and he should be one of the top 10 players by salary at the position after this contract.
Trent Williams of the Washington Redskins currently owns the richest left tackle contract by AAV at $13.2 million per year, with six others making at least $10 million per year. Okung won’t eclipse the likes of Williams, Tyron Smith or others, but has a decent chance of being the eighth member of the $10 million/year group.
Estimate: 5 years/$50 million/$20 million guaranteed.
Will he stay?
The Seahawks have quite a few contract situations to deal with this offseason, but Okung’s might be the most difficult decision for general manager John Schneider and company.
It’s easy to see why Seattle may be willing to move on from Okung and spend the money elsewhere. Okung is a good-not-great player who has consistently struggled with injuries throughout his career, including a dislocated shoulder suffered in the playoffs that will cause him to miss another four months or so. While Seattle’s cap situation is not as bad as many would think, the team has to mindful of signing a 28-year-old who has never been healthy for a full season in his career.
On the other hand, Okung is clearly the best player on a unit that really struggled as a whole. The Seahawks are going to focus on upgrading the offensive line in free agency and the draft, but getting a left tackle who is an upgrade over Okung will be a difficult task.
Seattle’s front office knows it has to protect Russell Wilson, and the team is in win-now mode. The Seahawks may be willing to prioritize Okung over some free agents even if they have to overpay for him, making Seattle a slight favorite to retain him in 2016.
If he leaves…
However, it wouldn’t be a major surprise if Okung ends up elsewhere next season. If Seattle decides to spend its resources elsewhere, plenty of teams would be willing to take the gamble on Okung and give him a big contract.
If free-agent left tackle Donald Penn leaves the Oakland Raiders this offseason, Okung would make sense as a replacement, as the team has plenty of cap space and will be looking to upgrade its offensive line. The Tennessee Titans have to at least be thinking about selecting tackle Laremy Tunsil first-overall in the draft, but would be a good fit for Okung if they decide to go another direction.
Another possible destination is the San Diego Chargers, who have a glaring need at right tackle. Would Okung make the switch?