Rost’s Seahawks Takeaways: Veteran RB Seattle could target hits the market
Jan 19, 2021, 9:28 AM | Updated: 2:34 pm
Veteran RB Mark Ingram could be a free agent target for the Seahawks. (Getty)
(Getty)
Fans are keeping one eye on the remaining four teams in the NFL playoffs and another on the latest news about their own team. When it comes to the Seattle Seahawks, there are three stories that should be catching your attention this week.
Clayton: Seahawks catching breaks in the division and in OC search
Ex-Jets head coach Adam Gase linked to Seahawks in search for new OC
Oh boy, where to start with this one. It’s not just the 2-14 record the Jets had under Gase in 2020, nor the fact that he was an unpopular hire locally in early 2019, though both are worth mentioning.
Related: Seahawks add 2 to OC search, including ex-Jets HC Adam Gase
It’s also the fact that he and the organization fell into a rocky relationship with one of the most talented players he’s ever coached – and that player, Jamal Adams, landed in Seattle via trade six months ago. And yes, the responsibilities of a head coach differ from that of an offensive coordinator, and many great coordinators don’t work out as head coaches. But some of what Adams had to say about Gase – particularly regarding his leadership – is a damning indictment of any coach.
That’s not to mention some of the reviews Gase received on his way out of Miami. To be fair, it’s worth mentioning that Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that rumors of Gase being widely disliked by his team was inaccurate. But Jackson also highlighted a few common critiques from the Dolphins locker room, including concerns that Gase “didn’t necessarily stick to what was working in games.”
The fit itself is a bit curious. Gase received acclaim as the young offensive coordinator overseeing Peyton Manning and the 2013 Denver Broncos’ record-breaking offense. Running back Knowshon Moreno rushed for 1,038 yards, but Denver’s offense focused heavily on its pass game, passing on 59 percent of all plays. Context is always important; that suited Manning, one of the league’s most legendary quarterbacks. Gase’s own offenses have, obviously, changed since then. But unlike, say, former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn — whose background as a running backs coach makes sense for someone like Carroll – Gase doesn’t initially seem like a Seahawks-style target. Still, Jeremy Fowler’s Monday report certainly made for interesting news.
The Baltimore Ravens intend to release running back Mark Ingram
With the offensive coordinator search dominating headlines for the Seahawks, any discussion about pending free agents has slowly slipped under the radar. But make no mistake, it will become a much bigger conversation as we inch closer to the start of the new league year, in no small part because of one big-name starter: running back Chris Carson.
Carroll intends to improve the Seahawks’ run game in 2021 but stopped short of committing to a new deal with their rushing leader. Carson became the first Seahawks running back since Marshawn Lynch to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season, which he did in both 2018 and 2019, and has been their most consistent performer out of the backfield. The problem with retaining him is two-fold: first, there’s the injury history to account for, and secondly, a new contract could carry a big price tag. Spotrac currently lists Carson’s market value around $7.4 million per year (or a four-year deal around $29 million).
If that’s too rich for Seattle’s blood, they’ll need to turn to free agency and the draft, and one name just became available. Ten-year NFL veteran Mark Ingram Jr. will reportedly be released by the Baltimore Ravens this week. The 31-year-old intends to keep playing, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and could become a veteran target for a Seattle team looking for depth.
Mike McDaniel takes over as offensive coordinator in San Francisco
Strike two more names off the list of potential OC fits for Seattle. San Francisco run game coordinator McDaniel and 49ers passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur were intriguing options for Seattle’s open offensive coordinator position. Given Carroll’s focus on improving the run game in 2021, either would’ve been a natural fit. However, LaFleur followed former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to New York, where he’ll become Saleh’s offensive coordinator. McDaniel seemed like another potential fit as a former running backs coach who oversaw a running-back-by-committee approach. However, he’s since been promoted to offensive coordinator in LaFleur’s place. So much for that idea.
