What Chris Clemons’ retirement means for the Seahawks
Jul 29, 2016, 1:14 PM | Updated: 1:17 pm
(AP)
Chris Clemons hasn’t announced it nor have the Seahawks confirmed it, but the veteran defensive end has reportedly informed the team that he’s retiring after 13 years in the NFL.
Here are a few thoughts on that news and what it means for Seattle:
Not a huge blow. Clemons was anything but a lock to make the Seahawks’ roster given the combination of his age (he turns 35 in October), his waning production (three sacks last season) and a contract that included a negligible amount of guaranteed money ($150,000). The Seahawks knew that Clemons was no longer the same player he was during his first stint with the team, when he recorded 33.5 sacks from 2010-12. He was a starter for Seattle back then. The Seahawks brought him back this offseason on a one-year deal in the hopes that he could win a job as a situational pass-rusher. They liked the edge he brought, the depth he would have provided and the influence he could have on some of their younger ends, but they weren’t counting on him to fill a significant role on the field. Barring an injury to a starter, Clemons’ playing time likely would have come as the right end in nickel situations, where Seattle has an opening following Bruce Irvin’s departure. But Frank Clark figures to be the primary option there, so even if Clemons made the team, he may not have made that much of an impact.
Who it helps. The first name that comes to mind is Cassius Marsh, who is competing for the starting job at strong-side linebacker but is also an option to rush the passer in nickel situations. Brock Huard mentioned a lesser-known name on Friday: Ryan Robinson, a fourth-year defensive end who missed all of last season due to a torn Achilles. The Seahawks are high on Robinson. In fact, he was running with the first sub group and had even seen time with the starters last offseason before he was injured. Another player who might benefit is rookie Quinton Jefferson, a fifth-round pick. He’s listed as a defensive tackle but can also play end and could potentially provide some pass-rush from one of those spots this season.
Clemons’ career, acquisition. The trade the Seahawks made for Clemons before the 2010 season was one of the first moves made by general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll. It’s still one of the most shrewd. Clemons was a 28-year-old journeyman with 20 sacks and three starts over his career when the Seahawks acquired him along with a fourth-round pick from Philadelphia in exchange for Darry Tapp. Clemons went onto record 33.5 sacks over his first three seasons with the Seahawks and 4.5 more in 2013, when he was coming a torn ACL. He finishes his career with 69 sacks and more than $36 million in career earnings, according to the website Spotrac.com. Not bad for an undrafted player.