The Seahawks would rather pay T.J. Houshmandzadeh huge money to go away than allow him to take another snap with the team.
Just one day after news leaked that the team was trying to trade Housh, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Seattle has decided to cut ties with the receiver after only one season despite owing him $7 million guaranteed this year.
(Schefter reports there is offset language in the deal. Seahawks will have to pay Houshmanzadeh whatever his new team doesn’t this year. If the new team pays $1.5 million, the Seahawks pay $5.5 million)
We love the move. Ultimately, Houshmandzadeh was just taking snaps away from young talent that could possibly help Pete Carroll by the time the team is good. There was no chance Houshmandzadeh would have been in Seattle in 2011, and his attitude has been questioned more than once while on the Seahawks.
The most amazing part of the story? Mike Williams is going to be a starting wideout. That Mike Williams.
Some may think Carroll is crazy, but it doesn’t hurt to have courage with your convictions. Williams has looked excellent all offseason long and provides a similar possession receiver skill set to Houshmandzadeh.
If Williams doesn’t work out, the team still has youngsters Deon Butler and Golden Tate behind him. It’s a new era in Seattle, and the team can’t get rid of former G.M. Tim Ruskell’s mistakes fast enough.