Bumpus: Why TE Gerald Everett should be back with Seahawks

The Seahawks have some clear positions of need as the offseason approaches, namely the offensive and defensive lines, but there’s one position group on offense that will certainly be addressed in some form.

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That would be at tight end, where currently, Seattle has just two on the roster heading into 2022. Those two are 2020 fourth-round draft pick Colby Parkinson, who has seven career catches in 20 games and spent 2021 as the No. 3 tight end on the roster, and 2020 undrafted free agent Tyler Mabry, who has spent most of his two-year career on the Seahawks’ practice squad.

The two tight ends above Parkinson and Mabry on the depth chart – Gerald Everett and Will Dissly – are both set to hit unrestricted free agency in just under a month.

So what should the Seahawks do with those two? Former NFL receiver Michael Bumpus shared his thoughts on 710 ESPN Seattle’s Jake and Stacy on Friday.

“My heart says I want to bring back both,” he said.

Dissly, a 2018 fourth-round draft pick by the Seahawks, is “my guy,” Bumpus said, and is someone he hopes they bring back.

Dissly suffered two severe injuries his first two NFL seasons and is an excellent blocker who also brings value in the passing game. In 41 games, Dissly has 76 catches for 900 yards and nine touchdowns, with a lot of that coming in his first two NFL seasons.

As for Everett, he came to the Seahawks in free agency from the Los Angeles Rams last season and set career highs in targets (63), catches (48), yards (478) and touchdowns (four).

Gerald Everett shook off three defenders on this play 😳

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/P31mnkl4TV

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 18, 2021

“We saw what he can be. He had the best season of his career so far,” Bumpus said. “We saw the explosiveness.”

While Bumpus has a soft spot for Dissly, he thinks it’s more critical that the Seahawks retain Everett this offseason. Part of that is due to who’s leading the offensive coaching staff.

“You get another year with (offensive coordinator) Shane Waldron and Shane knows Gerald Everett and was with him when he was with the Rams and now (2021 running game coordinator) Andy Dickerson (is taking over) that offensive line,” Bumpus said.

Both Waldron and Dickerson were on the Rams’ coaching staff when Everett was there from 2017-2020 and Waldron was actually Everett’s tight ends coach for his rookie season.

“I think with the changes on that offensive line and Shane Waldron having that second year, I believe that they’re going to incorporate Gerald Everett into this offense a bit more,” Bumpus said.

Bumpus thinks that a lot of fans are fixated on Everett’s poor game against the San Francisco 49ers late in the year where he lost two fumbles and dropped a touchdown that the 49ers intercepted. Despite his poor day, the Seahawks still won the game.

“I think if you just eliminate that game but you look at how he got better week after week at the little things, I think you’re encouraged,” Bumpus said.

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