The Seattle Seahawks didn’t appear to have a particular need to utilize the franchise or transition tag on any of their pending free agents.
Now general manager John Schneider has agreed that it’s unlikely they will use the franchise tag this off-season.
“We’re still evaluating that,” Schneider said, via Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune. “I don’t necessarily see us using it.”
The Seahawks only have 13 players set to hit free agency next month with only two (defensive tackle Alan Branch and linebacker Leroy Hill) being starters on offense or defense. Of the group, kicker Steven Hauschka seemed to be the most likely to receive the tag with a franchise tag number of a comparatively low $2.9 million.
Hauschka converted 24 of 27 field goal tries and 46 of 48 PATs on the year for Seattle. He was perfect from inside 50 yards but converted just 1 of 4 field goal attempts from beyond 50 yards. With Hauschka being limited in his ability to convert from long-range, it seems unlikely the Seahawks would commit nearly $3 million to Hauschka to ensure he remains with the team next season.
Branch and Hill also seem unlikely to be tagged. Hill was arrested for domestic violence and the Seahawks will likely not bring him back next season. Branch has played well for Seattle but not to a level that would demand the approximately $8 million price that is expected to come with the franchise tag. He only made $7 million over the last two years with the Seahawks.