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Grant's avatar

It's a bummer for us and Fant that JS couldn't find a trade partner. Hopefully he'll find a good fit for himself. I speculated in the past that they would keep Fant around until Arroyo was ready to start, and capitalize on another team needing a TE1 before the trade deadline. It make sense, however, to release him now after not finding a trade partner. This gives Fant an opportunity to be on the market and start the beginning of training camp with a new team if he so chooses. JS could have kept him on the hook at the expense of a roster spot in hopes of a better deal, but this would have been bad for both Fant and whoever didn't make the roster to keep him. We've seen JS/PK make business decisions like this in that past and I think it sends a good message. I don't think this move had anything to do with freeing up cap space. It was just time.

(Now watch them extend Cross or trade for Hendrickson as soon as I press the "post" button)

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Chuck Turtleman's avatar

Trading for Hendrickson (especially after the market just reset) is exactly the shortsighted kind of move I would like to think we don't make anymore.

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Grant's avatar

I would be shocked and appalled.

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Paul G's avatar

Can’t say that I’m high or low on this. What I *know* is that the current TE group combined for 41 receptions at 8.8 YPC last year. Nor is the first time a GM has touted a chronically injured draftee as a first-round talent (see Taylor, Darrell).

2024 receptions by veterans:

JSN 100

Kupp 67

Barner 30

MVS 19

Bobo 13

Young 0

Last year, no rookie TEs not named Bowers had as many as 35 receptions (Ja’Tavion Sanders and Barner had 33 and 30, respectively. Next was Theo Johnson with 29).

An already thin group just got thinner. The Seattle running game had better be good.

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Stephen Pitell's avatar

If Arroyo comes in and plays two ways, as an X WR and also as a move TE, and he can't be worse as a true TE than Fant. Arroyo's hands and body control are elite. He's going to enhance both the TE group and the WR group as well.

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Paul G's avatar

We fans are collectively putting a lot of stock in the #50 (Arroyo) and #166 (Horton) overall. I will be pleasantly surprised if Arroyo’s rookie season is more productive than Fant’s average per game with Seattle.

Here are the rookie seasons of the last three Day 2 TE classes:

2024

Ben Sinnott (#53) 5 rec / 28 yards / 1 TD

Tip Reiman (#82) 6 / 37 / 1

2023

Sam LaPorta (#34) 86 / 889 / 10

Michael Mayer (#35) 27 / 304 / 2

Luke Musgrave (#42) 34 / 352 / 1

Luke Schoonmaker (#58) 8 / 65 / 2

Brenton Strange (#61) 5 / 35 / 1

Tucker Kraft (#78) 31 / 355 / 2

Darnell Washington (#93) 7 / 61 / 0

Cameron Latu (#101) Has not gotten in a game. Currently on third team.

2022

Trey McBride (#55) 29 / 265 / 1

Jelani Woods (#73) Specials teams; has not played since 2022. Currently on third team.

Greg Dulcich (#80) 33 / 411 / 2

Jeremy Rucker (#101) 1 / 8 / 0

As much as we’d like to see Arroyo be another Sam LaPorta, only LaPorta and McBride have had notable success after their rookie seasons. Some of these guys—Mayer and Schoonmaker, e.g.—were highly regarded, too. While Arroyo may yet be good, I’m not holding my breath for much out of his rookie season.

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

Nice analysis! Thanks for the leg work.

I would like to interject a caveat, though: Arroyo is not the typical day 2 pick he is being compared to. If not for injury, he would have been day 1. So, if his health is good, we should be comparing him to 1st rd TEs and how they have done over their careers, too (not just their 1st year). Again, thanks for posting, and I do see your point. I think most of us know it's a long ahot, regardless, for him to be a stud year 1.. but we can dream! 😃

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Paul G's avatar

I’m not writing Arroyo off by any means. TE is a hard position to master and it wouldn’t be surprising if he needed a couple of seasons to grow into it. McBride went from 29 receptions as a rookie to 81 the following season to 111 last year.

Recent 1st-round TEs are Dalton Kincaid (2023-#25) and Brock Bowers (2024-#11). Last year, Kincaid regressed after a promising rookie season. Bowers of course had an historically great year even by HOF standards (It’s not fair to Arroyo to have that level of expectation.)

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JRaq's avatar

Just what I commented a week or two ago should happen, move on from Fant, save some money, and keep Saubert. Good decision, good moves seem to be increasing with John running the show. I still think Milroe will become a bigger participant than anticipated, earlier rather than later. Looking forward to the season start and some additional players acquired on the way.

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Stephen LeGrand's avatar

Highly touted. Rarely entertaining. Never tremendous.

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Jejune's avatar

Noah Fant is the only Seahawks player autograph I have.

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Nicholas Donsky's avatar

Apparently no one wants a mediocre TE that evades contact like the plague! That opens a roster spot for a real TE that relishes running over and through DBs.

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Issac B's avatar

a) they are just clearing out the chaff because they believe the TE room is fine without Fant

b) they are clearing some cap space to make a splash

c) both a & b

d) none of the above

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

D. I think JS is planning for resignings of our key guys already. He is fiscally responsible and future-planning. I think he has a vision of how to build a sustainable contender, and it involves resigning our homegrown talent more than we did in the past.

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Stephen Pitell's avatar

D.

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Randall Murray's avatar

I wonder. Just posted under Zez fine post above. Is this possibly because they may extend our young guys and front loading contracts since they have cap this year. Use this year excess to front load. Like with Darnold.

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

I think so. I think JS is a tempered and measured man, and his moves reflect that. I see him being more focused on future sustained contention for titles by making value moves while paying more of our own draft picks than he did when PC had a say in it. The more I watch and listen to JS, the more I can see what his vision kinda looks like. Y'all see that, too, right?

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Randall Murray's avatar

Completely agree. I’m positive he didn’t like those ugly cap hits he had. Love JS for this shrewdness. Always thought Nordstroms were good. Behring time complete trash. He was like the fool in Vegas. Then early Allen FO stunk but Holmgren good. JS likely the best GM we’ve ever had. Why I counter so many that say he doesn’t know how to draft OLine. He and the scouts I think are very good at it. He just doesn’t put massive money into it. When an oline guy is starting in the NFL for 5 plus years. Plays ten plus years. That’s success. With the constant competition coming out. If you’re not good you don’t stay. Difference between not paying Lewis big bucks vs not drafting well.

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Randall Murray's avatar

This one comes as a surprise in that we didn’t need cap money unlike the last couple of years. Keeping him and then he signs could have netted a comp pick. From what I’ve heard, Aaroyo showed very well at mini camp. And as you note SJ, apparently healthy. We have Fant/Barner, now Arroyo and Barner. Means that either Eric or Brady, likely Eric being more a TE to Brady H Back. Personally rather have Fant than Eric but oh well. Let’s hope Arroyo balls out.

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pskanbar's avatar

I think we always need cap money.

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Randall Murray's avatar

For 2025 we do not. In past years, with massive dead cap money taking away from bringing in players, then that $9 mil would be critical. This isn’t critical for 2025. Some money unspent can roll forward but if we think we’re a good team, abs fact before this we had tons of cap available, then losing Fant is questionable. Cap wouldn’t be the reason to cut him, unlike in past years. That’s the point. On other hand, if Arroyo is looking good, then there is duplication in skills, thus makes sense. But not for cap reasons.

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Issac B's avatar

They have a bunch of 4th year players they may start handing contracts to. That cap space can go quickly if they do.

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Randall Murray's avatar

I actually mentioned Bryant as being one of those. Lock him just in case his price goes up. I think they hold off on Lucas but who knows. Is Hall worth it??

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Issac B's avatar

I think if they are releasing Fant to free up space for extensions, they probably did it now so Fant can find another team and participate in their training camp. As for the actual extensions, I don't see them being in a hurry to extend anyone right now. They have time to work out what they want to do with whom. But if we don't see a trade soon, extending 4th year players seems like the most likely route they will take.

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Randall Murray's avatar

Agree that I think Seattle usually has respect for players thus letting Fant go gives him time to look around. They could’ve dropped him at 53 player cut and that would’ve messed things up for him. And no they don’t need to make any immediate deals but JS doesn’t like talking contract in season. Hes been consistent on that. And extending players is often seen as respect. Doing so before the season can have a positive impact to attitude if you think you’re keeping the player next year. Abe and Mafe may he wait and see. Healthy and growth then sign. But if you feel good about Bryant and Cross (who’s already been “extended” with 5th year pickup), then sign now. Unless of course they want to earn some interest from Seafirst Bank…

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Randall Murray's avatar

Look at my other posts. That is what I’ve said. I made several such comments about that. That JS may actually be more proactive and use current money vs future money and possibly lock someone in before they want more.

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Issac B's avatar

Could be. You have a lot of comments.

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

😆 yep! Like a lot of us! And good ones, at that!

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

Seems to me like we have the perfect blend at the position now:

Saubert, best blocker

Barner, blocker & receiver

Arroyo, best receiver

Thanks to you, Ken, we readers of SSJ saw it coming. Keep on making good sense and writing your smart articles!

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Chris H's avatar

From what I saw of Arroyo's tape, there's plenty of 'want to' as a blocker. The coaches can give him the 'how to'. I agree he's possibly one of their best pass catching threats, but it wouldn't surprise me that he can actually hold his own in the trenches once he gets coached up. For Kubiak's TE's I don't think it's an option anyway. Same for receivers. Gotta block.

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Bob Bryan's avatar

And possibly some extra room for Brady Russell to stick?

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Grant's avatar

I think Saubert is a lock now, but this move certainly puts Russell back into the conversation. It may come down to having to decide between a utility guy like him vs a return specialist like Sims vs valuable depth like Kenny McIntosh. All these guys make the team slightly better in different ways, but none are gonna see the field very much if all goes as planned.

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

I'd believe so, as FB2/ST/TE4

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Bob Bryan's avatar

MM loves the hydrid guys

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Randall Murray's avatar

Agreed. All different. Prefer AJ and Ouzts but if we’re running hard then Eric get some downfield blocks for K9. Would love it.

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HD's avatar

Mostly is right. They have another signing coming.

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Charlie Gage's avatar

That's what I'm thinking. Another (splash?) signing.

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JIMMY JOHNSON's avatar

Around here, we wanted to nickname him "Almost", but DK already owned that.

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Mostly Lurking's avatar

What're we gonna do with the money? That'll be the surprise from this

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Chris H's avatar

Probably several teams interested in the player (cough! Dolphins), but no teams apparently interested in the contract. This would allow Ouzts to be the starting FB, but Russell to stay on the roster as the 4th TE and special teams ace.

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zezinhom400's avatar

There were only two remaining caps I thought the Hawks needed to offload, for different reasons:

- Fant which you so clearly explained why

- Unchenna bc unfortunately he can’t stay on the field (and once again is unavailable).

Man we are really set up nicely for a marquee player, or as you say to lock up some of our own draft wins such as Cross.

I’m still hoping we release Uchenna although his savings are negligible now — but to create a roster spot for Trey Hendrickson. Or trade him to the Bengals as part of the deal. Continue to feel he pushes us over the top

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Randall Murray's avatar

Thing is we don’t need cap like past couple of years. Unless they got something planned, but late in year for big dollar non-trade. To me this says more about roster depth. That they have surprising confidence in Arroyo. Fant had no impact to signing our other guys, unless they are maybe front loading someone. That might be a potential play.

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

We don't have to spend all of our cap. He is the type of guy who will reduce our expenditures if we aren't getting the return off them, then save that space for when, like you say, he wants to get a difference maker, but also to avoid a cap casualty over the next year or two that we really don't want to lose.

He is all about flexibility on the field and on the books. Cutting Fant gives us extra future flexibility that I think he values very highly. Would hate to have pick among JSN, Spoon, and another couple youngs guys that break out this year, like Coby, Woolen, an OL, or whomever. I think he really likes this group and is trying to keep them together for a long time.

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Randall Murray's avatar

I agree. My contention was we needed his receiving. If Arroyo ready then this is great. There was always potential for comp pick as well I believe. Did post elsewhere that money does roll. Just do believe there is a minimum that must be paid each year as well.

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zezinhom400's avatar

Yeah I’m just pining for Hendrickson, think he puts our defense over the top

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Randall Murray's avatar

Totally get. Called your post out below too. Sure feels like something is up elsewhere.

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Danno's avatar

Not even a 7th round pick, oh well. Thanks to all your prior articles on Fant, I have never had him on my 53 man Seattle roster, but I did expect a trade. I guess the Jets and Giants are becoming more functional. The Steelers were I team I felt could be had in a trade for Fant, but perhaps they didn’t want the cap burden now that Watt got his pay day. At least we sold them a bill of goods with DK. Hang on to your hats, my other vet not making the roster at the moment is MVS. Part of this was due to an “expert” predicting the Seahawk’s 53 stating MVS was a lock and Horton was on “the bubble.” Hearing such poor analysis caused me to get angry, but now I have to stick with that prediction. I truly believe the deep ball is not nearly as important in KK’s system as Grubbs or Waldron, and Horton, imo, will fly past MVS as a deep threat and offers the full route tree of possibilities that made it much easier to let go of DK.

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Stephen Pitell's avatar

I believe they may try Arroyo as the X, so he may be replacing a bit of DK and a lot of Fant.

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Danno's avatar

He’d be a great size mismatch on smaller CBs out there. 4.5 speed too.

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

Goalline fade, anyone?

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

Agreed! O'm wondering if we'll see some version of big personnel that causes the def to put in a package that we can abuse with our guys lining up in an unexpected formation. Like maybe 22 personnel lined up with 3 wide: Kupp ouside, Arroyo splits out, KMac or K9 slides to a slot, leaving Charbs or DMart as a lone back... could be dangerous when big package in 3rd and short lines up in 3 wide all of a sudden, and can actually operate out of it effectively.

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Danno's avatar

Everyone knows MM loves position flexibility on defense. One of the reasons he was so high on Emmanwori was probably the fact he lined up at CB, ILB, Slot, Safety, and in OTAs, took snaps at edge. Why not use that same position flexibility on offense leaving the defense with no clue what to expect from the 11 on the field due to all the positions they each might actually line up in come the snap?

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Stephen Pitell's avatar

Hey, Danno, I went to the site with the address you gave me and there doesnt seem to be any tickets left for the intra squad game, but maybe I cannot read it correctly. So maybe you can visit the site and tell me if any tickets for the event you are going to are still available.

If not, then I may still be happy to take the ferry across to downtown and have lunch with some of you guys or even just you, Danno, if that conforms with your plans. Let me know. My email is spitell@msn.com and I don't care who has that.

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Danno's avatar

Stephen, I will email you.

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Danno's avatar

I will first thing tomorrow morning. I’m heading out to visit a sick friend.

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Danno's avatar

Let’s not get carried away. Even a broken clock is right twice a day!

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

We always knew we'd see your name up in lights one day. Nevermind whether that would have been little phone screen lights, big screen lights, or flashing blue lights. These are lights nonetheless! They could have just quoted the reply, but you were credited because of the thoughtful question (as per usual). Enjoy a bit of affirmation through your humility. It's well deserved!

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Danno's avatar

Thank you, Shaymus!

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Randall Murray's avatar

Of course I was opposite in that it was MVS not staying, in Horton showed up.

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