Seahawks free agent: Austin Blythe deal would finalize Seattle's 2023 starting OL

You can be mad about it, but you can't deny what a Blythe contract implies: 2/21/2023

I was not planning on writing about Austin Blythe on Tuesday—nor did I expect to address Nick Bellore, who has reportedly agreed to a new contract that will keep him in Seattle—but the Seahawks’ $5 million contract with Phil Haynes has forced me to expedite the write-up on center:

If the Seattle Seahawks re-sign Austin Blythe, they will be choosing continuity over “talent” and we can put to rest any considerations for Pete Carroll drafting any offensive linemen with the intention to start them as rookies.

Bob Condotta @bcondotta

I can confirm that this is expected to happen. Official announcement likely in a day or so that Bellore has re-signed with Seattle. Seahawks getting some things done before the Combine.

UK Seahawkers @SeahawkersUK

Sources have told 'The Pedestrian Podcast' (@stu_court & @adamdnathan) that #Seahawks special teams star @NBELLORE54 has agreed to a deal that will extend his stay in Seattle for a 5th season. #44Back https://t.co/RdDBhSm5QU

“But Seaside Joe, surely Blythe and Haynes could be upgraded!” Surely they could in theory, in no way is reporting facts the same as giving endorsements, but we can’t rob ourselves of reality. The Seahawks paid Haynes a $4 million contract that is worth up to $5 million, which is not the amount Seattle would spend for a backup or a player who is expected to compete for his job at right guard. At a $5 million cap hit, Haynes comes in around the middle of the pack for right guard salaries and it accounts for most of the $6.5 million that the Seahawks will save once they release Gabe Jackson.

On that note, Seattle will have solidified that they have two starting offensive tackles in Abe Lucas and Charles Cross, two expected starting guards in Haynes and Damien Lewis, and only one hole left on their 2023 offensive line: Center.

Therefore, if the Seahawks do re-sign Blythe it would surely have to be for an amount that assures him the starting role at center. What else could it be? Teams don’t typically re-sign players with demotions.

Brandon Thorn @BrandonThornNFL

Hate that the LG was collateral here, but here's Austin Blythe torquing the nose off of his feet. Never would know he was a 3x heavyweight state champ Iowa wrestler..

Whatever we might think of Blythe’s first year in Seattle, there’s no clear indication that Pete Carroll and Shane Waldron are unconcomfortable with him running it back. In fact, because Waldron’s job is secure and 80% of the offensive line looks to return (maybe call it 70% since Haynes split time with Jackson), Blythe might have the inside track to return.

Does that make me nervous? I mean…Hell yeah it makes me nervous.

One key game highlighted for Blythe on the schedule was Week 17 against the Jets and Quinnen Williams. Said Michael Bumpus of 710AM leading into the game:

“He’s going to have to have a big game. There are times where Austin has been pushed back a couple of times,” Bumpus said. “… So I just need him to step up because Quinnen Williams is going to hit you with the bull rush. He’s going to use his hands, he’s going to try to split the double team, he’s going to get into the backfield. You need to contain this man, especially on those stretch (run) plays (where you’re) trying to get outside, when you reach into that double team and you’re holding on for dear life until your guard can climb up to that linebacker. Austin Blythe, get big.”

Williams had a season-high 4 QB hits against the Seahawks, tying his season-best of 4 total pressures.

But if the Seahawks bring back Geno Smith, that’s the center he’s worked with for a year. If the Seahawks replace Geno Smith, Blythe is the center who might be most prepared to call the shots and protections for the offensive line to help ease the transition at quarterback.

Like Haynes at right guard, a $4 million salary would put Blythe round around 15th in center pay in the NFL. Former Seattle center Justin Britt is on a two-year, $9 million contract with the Texans and his first-year cap hit was $2.8 million in 2022. If the Seahawks gave Blythe that contract, they’d be looking at the cheapest starting offensive line in the NFL (call it $18.2 million with Haynes and Blythe) but they’d be selling it as one of the few lines in the NFL that has almost complete continuity from last season.

Now here’s what you really need to know: If the Seahawks re-sign Blythe, forget all the talk about drafting a center in the first or second round. That’s not Pete Carroll, even if you want it to be Pete Carroll. We’ve had 13 years with Pete and John Schneider, surely we should be tracking and respecting their habits by now.

If the Seahawks bring back Blythe, that assures that Pete has his starting five for 2023 and even if the interior feels underwhelming—and even if Seattle still intends to draft an offensive lineman after their first three picks—we need to let go of expectations that this franchise would draft one of the highest-rated guards or centers in the class. Yes, Lewis and Haynes are 2024 free agents. Yes, Blythe is not a long-term answer.

But Seattle would be clearly setting themselves up to use their early picks on other needs and positions—edge is a must-have, defensive tackle and linebacker could be must-have—once Pete’s finalized his 2023 starting five. He could always add the more Pete-like fourth and sixth round guards on day three—then swing back around in the 2024 draft.

This isn’t Seaside Joe saying, “Wow, the Seahawks are going to do a great thing and everything you wanted them to do!” This is me saying, the Seahawks are one move away from finishing their starting five for next season and life will be easier if we accept that and don’t treat it as some sort of rouse.

Nick Bellore return

Also, Nick Bellore is reportedly coming back. He cost $2.75 million last season to be the special teams captain. It would be surprising if he cost much more much less than that.

Many will ask whether or not these moves imply anything about Geno Smith negotiations. I would say what I’ve been saying: The franchise tag really seems mathematically impossible. Giving Haynes $5 million and Bellore another $2-$3 million would not seem probable with a $32.4 million franchise tag for Geno. So I’d say that either Seattle is confident in a contract with Geno or comfortable with a departure.

I won’t go any further than that because it’s all speculation.

Previously: I wrote about Rashaad Penny’s free agency and 95% of you voted that you wanted the Seahawks to give him the contract I proposed. Let’s run another poll: Should the Seahawks do the Justin Britt deal (two years, $9 million, $2.8m cap hit for 2023) with Austin Blythe?

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