Even with the news that the NFL salary cap will be increasing from $277 million to $281 million in 2025, the Seattle Seahawks are still roughly $6 million over.
However, there are some moves that they can make that will help them out. They already restructured defensive end Leonard Williams' contract, saving them $14 million in cap space.
In the opinion of NFL.com analyst Matt Okada, the Seahawks should seriously consider parting ways with wide receiver Tyler Lockett, tight end Noah Fant, and defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris to help get them under the cap.
Here's what Okada had to say about Lockett specifically:
"Seattle is currently projected to be $13.5 million over the cap, the fourth-worst mark in the league," Okada wrote. "For a five-year stretch (2018 through 2022), Lockett was one of the most underrated receivers around, but since 2023, the veteran has averaged just 747 yards and four touchdowns per season. With the 2024 breakout of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the presence of DK Metcalf, it would seem that the 32-year-old Lockett's declining services are no longer needed ... especially given his monster cap figure ($30.9 million) in 2025. The Seahawks would save $17 million by releasing him, and while they'd eat nearly $14 million in dead money, it's still worth it, considering the cost-to-production valuation at this point in Lockett's career. I could see him signing elsewhere as a crafty complement to a young stud WR1, but it will likely have to be at a heavily reduced price point."
It would be sad to see the 10-year veteran go after spending his entire career in Seattle, but that's how life in the NFL often works. Lockett isn't the same caliber player he once was, and the Seahawks are in good hands with Metcalf and Smith-Njigba.
Okada had this to say of Fant:
"In three seasons since joining Seattle, Fant has just five touchdowns total (with just one the last two seasons) and has maxed out at 50 receptions (2022) and 500 yards (2024)," Okada said. "While those aren't awful numbers for a low-cost starter or a TE2, they aren't nearly good enough to justify Fant's $13.4 million cap hit in 2025. Seattle can save $8.9 million by cutting the 27-year-old tight end, and I can't really see them passing up on those savings to keep a player who has not fulfilled the potential that made him a first-round pick by the Broncos in 2019. Fant could get another job elsewhere on a much lower salary, but I don't expect he'll be in Action Green next season."
This is an obvious move for Seattle to make as Fant's production isn't anywhere near worth his cost. There are a few free agent tight ends with similar statistics that the Seahawks could acquire for a fraction of Fant's contract, or they could draft one.
Finally, here is Okada's analysis of Robertson-Harris:
"The 'Hawks traded for DT Robertson-Harris in October (sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Jaguars), and he logged a grand total of zero sacks, one QB hit and 13 tackles on 188 defensive snaps in 11 games with the team," Okada said. "Seattle can cut the 31-year-old for $6.6 million in cap savings and zero dead money, which feels like a near-automatic move unless they see far greater potential in him heading into 2025."
Again, this is something that Seattle should do without hesitation. Robertson-Harris' best days are likely behind him, and his cap hit is insanely high for what he produced last season. Making these three moves would not only get the Seahawks under the cap, but give them a little bit of spending money to work with.
