Why tendering Phil Haynes is somewhat significant
The Seahawks are keeping at least one restricted free agent
It was announced on Saturday that the Seahawks are giving guard Phil Haynes the original round tender, locking him in for a $2.54 million cap hit in 2022. This won’t sound like a lot of money once you see the dollar amounts handed out in free agency over the next couple of weeks, but it is rather significant for a guard—especially a supposed reserve—to make that much next season.
If Haynes were considered a left guard, a $2.54 million salary would rank him as the 15th-highest paid left guard of 2022. At right guard, it would place him 19th in the NFL for that position.
Given that the Seahawks already have Damien Lewis assuredly locked down to compete for a starting gig on the offensive line, and Gabe Jackson signed for 2022, it’s somewhat notable that Haynes is guaranteed $2.54 million despite having two career starts—both of which came in place of Lewis last season.
Haynes now has 137 career snaps through three seasons, 136 of which came this past January.
I’ve already proposed in the Seaside Joe newsletter that the Seahawks could afford to trade Jackson and that moving him might make the most sense, because a 31-year-old veteran currently blocking younger guys from competing to start doesn’t quite line up with my expectations for Seattle’s rebuilding plan in 2022. They might also be able to land a decent day three pick in return for Jackson, saving $3 million in the process.
That’s $3 million that will cover the new deal for Phil Haynes.
Haynes might be starting in Week 1.
Interesting! Just so I'm clear -- an original round tender means that if a different team were to sign Haynes, they would owe the 'Hawks a fourth-round pick? And they would also have to beat the Seahawks' offer?
Sounds like Haynes is here to stay.