When the Seahawks released Bobby Wagner, many thought they might be giving the keys to Jordyn Brooks. While that may still be the case, the Seahawks recently declined the fifth-year option on Brooks’ contract, which would have locked in a fully-guaranteed salary of $12.7MM for 2024. Therefore, Brooks will now become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the upcoming season.
Though, Seattle’s decision was not a surprising one. The team still wants him in a Seahawks uniform for the foreseeable future:
“He’s got a long, long future for us,” Carroll said during a recent appearance on 93.3 KJR (via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com). “We love the way he plays and what he brings and all of that. We’ve got to orchestrate the way we move forward. The decision we made now (with respect to the fifth-year option), this is not an indication of our future. We expect Jordyn to be with us for a long time.”
The $12.7MM would be a steep price to pay for an inside linebacker who despite his high tackle numbers, struggles in coverage and doesn’t offer much in terms of pass rush. Not to mention, the fact that he is coming off an ACL tear and will most likely open the season on the PUP list.
Full-Time Starter
In 2021, his first year as a full-time starter, Brooks set the Seahawks’ single-season tackle record with 181, and he became the team’s defensive signal-caller in 2022 after the departure of a franchise icon in Wagner. In the wake of Brooks’ injury and Cody Barton‘s decision to join the Commanders in free agency, Seattle reunited with Wagner and signed former Steelers first-rounder Devin Bush. Both of those contracts, however, are for one-year terms, and the ‘Hawks did not select any inside linebackers in the draft.
It’s possible that the Seahawks truly envision Jordyn Brooks staying in Seattle. So, there’s potential that they are working on a contract extension. In three seasons, Brooks has racked up 402 tackles and was on pace to break his own record in 2022. So if nothing else, the Texas Tech product offers high-end tackling ability and familiarity with the club’s defensive scheme, and there is value in that.
Other comments for Carroll
In addition to Jordyn Brooks, Carroll also spoke about the Seahawks’ selection of cornerback Devon Witherspoon with their first pick (No. 5 overall) in last month’s draft. A pick that came as a surprise, as Witherspoon does not have the length that Seattle typically looks for in its CBs, and the team had a more pressing need for a front-seven defender.
“We spent a lot of time (with Carter) and felt comfortable that we knew what we were dealing with,” Carroll said (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times). “There was just a special aspect of Devon and the way that he fit in. Was going to be a rare opportunity, so we jumped at it.”
Prior to the draft, it was reported that Seattle was likely to select Jalen Carter. Though, now it is hard to argue against picking Witherspoon, as he was widely regarded as the best corner in the draft. He also plays a premium position and will most likely form a young dynamic duo with Tariq Woolen on the boundaries of Seattle’s defense.
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