The Seattle Seahawks have been mentioned as a candidate to trade star wide receiver DK Metcalf this offseason, but one of his long-time teammates is actually more likely to play elsewhere in 2025.
Brady Henderson of ESPN on Thursday, Feb. 27, projected that wide receiver Tyler Lockett will be on the move as a strong cut candidate ahead of his age-33 season.
"The second-most prolific wide receiver in franchise history may have played his last game with the Seahawks," Henderson wrote . "The writing has been on the wall for 11 months, with Lockett taking a $4 million pay cut to return to the team in March, then getting relegated to the No. 3 role when Jaxon Smith-Njigba broke out in 2024. Lockett is set to make a non-guaranteed $17 million next season while carrying a cap hit of nearly $31 million, so taking another pay cut is the only way Lockett would be back with Seattle for an 11th season."
The Seahawks are expected to keep QB Geno Smith on the roster in 2025, as there are no other immediate options in free agency or the draft likely to give Seattle a better chance to contend after a 10-7 campaign last season.
"Smith is close to locked in, but I expect the Seahawks to select a quarterback in this year's draft, and you never know how things will shake out if that occurs," ESPN's Seth Walder wrote Wednesday. "Still, Smith has been a solid steward of this offense despite a shaky offensive line and struggling run game. His contract is a bargain in 2025, but he turns 35 in October, so it makes sense for the Seahawks to look for a future quarterback."
Smith carries a base salary of less than $15 million in 2025, though his salary cap hit is listed at $44.5 million. Meanwhile, Lockett is entering the final season of a two-year, $29.67 million deal that carries an almost $31 million cap hit next season alone.
Seattle is currently $7 million over the 2025 salary cap and has to cut money, and Lockett is simply more expendable to the offense than either Smith or Metcalf, although dealing Metcalf would also bring a player(s) and/or a draft asset(s) back in return.
Lockett has compiled 661 receptions for 8,594 yards and 61 touchdowns over his 10 years in Seattle, which include three All-Pro selections.
