One question mark for the Seattle Seahawks this offseason is if starting left tackle Charles Cross will receive a long-term extension. Although he can’t become a free agent until 2027, Cross is eligible to begin contract negotiations.
Whether the Seahawks sign Cross to a long-term deal, though, offensive line could be a priority once again in Seattle next offseason.
While picking an area of the roster for all 32 NFL teams, Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema named the offensive line the part of the team the Seahawks need “to think about” for the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Seattle’s interior offensive line posted a 52.8 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2024, ranking 29th in the NFL. The team heavily invested in that area by drafting the versatile Grey Zabel in Round 1 this offseason, but the fact of the matter is that the Seahawks could have, and maybe should have, added more bodies to that group,” wrote Sikkema.
“Christian Haynes struggled as a rookie, earning just a 48.5 PFF overall grade on limited playing time. He needs a big bounce-back season, or else the Seahawks might be using another priority pick on an interior player next offseason. Tackle Abraham Lucas is great when healthy, but he has dealt with chronic knee issues and the team lacks depth behind him. Seattle needs to make more offensive line investments.”
If Cross signs an extension and Abraham Lucas has better injury luck, the Seahawks could have three-fifths of their line solidified with the arrival of Grey Zabel. But Sikkema sounds very unconvinced about the team’s offensive line interior and the unit’s overall depth.
Seattle’s offensive line has been an issue for several years. Even when the team was appearing in Super Bowls, pundits widely viewed the line as the weakness of the team.
Seahawks Drafted Guard Grey Zabel to Address Interior O-Line
It’s hard to disagree with Sikkema essentially calling Seattle’s offensive line the biggest area of need on the team’s roster. But it’s still likely frustrating to fans because the organization did try to address the line this offseason.
At No. 18 overall in the first round, the Seahawks selected North Dakota State’s Zabel. He is expected to slide inside to play left guard. Seattle also signed veteran tackle Josh Jones in free agency.
The former Baltimore Ravens lineman won’t start unless Lucas deals with more injuries this fall. But he’s an experience, versatile lineman who will provide depth, which was one of Sikkema’s criticisms of the unit.
Maybe the big takeaway point from Sikkema’s analysis is at the end of the 2024 season, the Seahawks offensive line was in poor enough shape that the fixes weren’t likely to come in just one offseason.
It can sometimes take a few years of high draft investments in an offensive line for the unit to significantly improve.
Seahawks LT Charles Cross Addresses Seattle Future
The good news for Seattle’s offensive line is the unit has a solution at arguably the most important spot — left tackle.
Cross needs a new contract, but franchise left tackles rarely reach free agency. It seems very likely it’s just a question of when, not if, the Seahawks will sign the 2022 first-round pick.
Cross expressed being unconcerned about his contract while talking to reporters at the team’s minicamp.
“I’m just worried about that right now and that’s it,” Cross said, via Seattle Sports’ Cameron Van Til. “We’ll get to that when the time comes.”
The left tackle also conveyed how much he wants to stay in Seattle.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but Seattle,” Cross added on June 11. “I love the fans here; I love the team.
“It’s one of the greatest organizations in the NFL. I like it here a lot.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Seahawks Called on to Address Same Roster Weakness appeared first on Heavy Sports.