JAKE AND STACY

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler: Seahawks’ interest at WR, Quandre Diggs’ future

Mar 7, 2022, 4:19 PM

Seahawks Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf...

DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates his touchdown catch with Tyler Lockett during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lumen Field. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

We’re now a week away from NFL free agency kicking off, so what’s going on with the Seahawks?

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler joined Seattle Sports’ Jake and Stacy on Monday and shared some insight into what he’s been hearing about one position group and two key players from the Seahawks’ 2021 roster.

Are the Seahawks looking at WRs?

Fowler and fellow ESPN reporter Dan Graziano partnered up for an ESPN.com article ($) about what they heard at the NFL Scouting Combine and in that article, Fowler made a surprising note about the Seahawks.

“One development this week: The Seahawks have been asking around on the receiver market. That’s interesting because they are already loaded at wideout. Maybe they just want depth … or maybe it’s something more.”

Fowler was asked about that during his visit with Jake and Stacy.

“I was a little surprised to hear that they were asking around (at receiver),” Fowler said, though he added that the Seahawks are “always asking around on several guys.”

But the receivers the Seahawks were apparently calling around about were pretty notable players.

“They were kind of poking around at the receivers that would cost them actual money. Guys that might cost $8 to $10 million a year, that second-tier outside of (Tampa Bay receivers) Chris Godwin and Mike Evans,” Fowler said. “Now, it’s one thing to ask, it’s another thing to try to actually pay those guys. I’m not convinced that they would do that. But I do believe they’re looking at a supporting cast-type receiver for that room.”

Fowler said his initial reaction to hearing the Seahawks were looking at adding to their receiver room was that they were going to trade young star wideout DK Metcalf. But he doesn’t think that’s the case “at all.”

“He’s like a cornerstone for them. So they’re really looking for a guy to pair with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf and really bolster the pass catching options for Russell Wilson, assuming Russell Wilson is the quarterback, but moving forward as if he is,” Fowler said.

Speaking of Wilson …

Russell Wilson trade talks

Star quarterback Russell Wilson says he wants to stay in Seattle and the Seahawks say they don’t want to trade him.

But that won’t stop teams from calling with offers.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Washington Commanders offered the Seahawks a pretty substantial trade package for Wilson, which was rejected.

What does Fowler know about those talks?

“I don’t have a clear-cut answer on that one pertaining to Washington, I just know that they got involved and made their presence known with Seattle. Multiple (first-round picks) is sort of a starting point, so they probably got there initially. It would take more than that, I would imagine,” Fowler said.

Fowler says there are three-plus teams that will be checking in with the Seahawks and other teams who have veteran quarterbacks who could be moved.

“They’re gonna keep calling. It depends on Seattle’s threshold for saying no. Because if you’re talking to Seattle people, you’re talking to people close to the situation, they don’t expect him to be traded,” Fowler said. “But that’s right now and it’s a long offseason.”

Fowler said the Philadelphia Eagles, who have three first-round picks in next month’s NFL Draft, are a team he hears about with Wilson from agents and NFL executives. He also said the Denver Broncos could get involved if they fail to pry reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers away from Green Bay.

Something of note with the Seahawks and Wilson is that while head coach Pete Carroll and John Schneider both insist they’re not looking to trade Wilson, they also admitted at the combine to picking up the phone to talk to teams about it. Did that cause more teams to reach out to Seattle?

“I actually don’t think it had an impact one way or the other because teams know that Seattle looked at trading Russell or at least entertained multiple times in the past. We know about Cleveland, we know about Chicago, we know about the unrest that has existed at times,” Fowler said. “And so even though I think the relationship is in a decent place right now, it’s been out there. I don’t think that they heard the comments and said ‘oh, well, maybe Russell’s available?’ I think they know the situation and were going to call regardless.”

What’s next for Quandre Diggs?

The Seahawks have a handful of key players set to hit free agency, but none is more impactful than free safety Quandre Diggs, who has back-to-back Pro Bowl nods to his name.

The Seahawks don’t typically use the franchise tag, but Diggs’ name has been tossed around when it comes to the tag and it’d cost the Seahawks just under $13 million for 2022 if they choose to go that route. The deadline for using the franchise tag is Tuesday.

Will that happen?

“I don’t expect a tag,” Fowler said. “But I was told at the combine that they do want to work on a long-term deal. They want him back, he makes them better.”

Diggs is coming off a broken leg and dislocated ankle suffered in Week 18 which could complicate his market, but the good news for the Seahawks, Fowler said, is they know his medical history better than anyone else.

“Maybe he would have trouble passing a physical elsewhere whereas Seattle, they understand the injury and they could pass him based on what they know,” he said.

Fowler said he has Diggs “earmarked as a potential re-sign” for the Seahawks

“Really with the way (strong safety) Jamal Adams plays and Diggs being more of a true post safety so to speak, he fits what they do,” Fowler said. “And with new defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt in the mix, he’ll want Diggs there.”

Listen to the interview at this link or in the player below.

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ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler: Seahawks’ interest at WR, Quandre Diggs’ future