Kam Chancellor the lone absence as Seahawks report to training camp
Jul 30, 2015, 11:16 PM | Updated: Jul 31, 2015, 8:12 am
BY
Former Seattle Sports Lead Editor
The Seahawks reported to training camp Thursday with near perfect attendance. The lone exception, according to 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny O’Neil: strong safety Kam Chancellor, who is reportedly seeking more money and considering a holdout.
It remains to be seen whether Chancellor will show up for the first practice on Friday, which is scheduled to begin at 10:25. Players who are under contract and do not show up can be fined up to $30,000 day, something Chancellor may be willing to subject himself to with the hopes of ultimately coaxing a raise from Seattle.
Chancellor has three years remaining on an extension he signed in 2013, when he became the first player drafted by Seattle’s current regime to be rewarded with a new deal. The remaining three years include $16.875 million but none of it is guaranteed beyond the 2015 season, during which Chancellor is scheduled to make a base salary of $4.55 million.
Chancellor’s potential holdout is the latest bit of contract drama for the Seahawks, who have been in a highly publicized negotiation with quarterback Russell Wilson while also trying to work out an extension with middle linebacker Bobby Wagner. Additionally, defensive lineman Michael Bennett and linebacker Bruce Irvin have expressed contract-related displeasure. Bennett even hinted at a holdout, which he apparently has decided against.
Chancellor’s presence or absence will be one of the leading stories as the Seahawks hit the field Friday, the other being whether Wilson and the team have reached a last-minute agreement before the reported first-practice deadline.
If Chancellor isn’t there, Seattle’s secondary will look even less familiar. Free safety Earl Thomas is recovering from shoulder surgery and recently said he won’t be ready to begin camp. Nickelback Jeremy Lane is recovering from the broken wrist and ACL tear he sustained in the Super Bowl and likely won’t be ready, either. Both are candidates to begin camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
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