Clayton: What the Carlos Hyde signing means for the Seahawks’ roster

While acquiring star players might be a great thing for a team aspiring to get back to the Super Bowl like the Seahawks are, getting a good player at a decent price is a great way of building a Super Bowl roster.

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Seattle general manager John Schneider accomplished that task Friday when he reached a one-year agreement with Carlos Hyde. According to Mike Silver of the NFL Network, the Seahawks offered Devonta Freeman a one-year, $3 million contract. Freeman said no. He wanted much more. Silver reported Friday afternoon Freeman is willing to sit out the season if his number isn’t met.

The Seahawks got the message and grabbed Hyde. Though Freeman has more star power and might be the better back, getting Hyde at an acceptable number was the better move. If Chris Carson is healthy at the beginning of the season, Freeman wouldn’t be the starter. It would be Carson.

Plus, Freeman, who is the most talented back on the street, is going to have a hard time getting starter money.

Personally, I think Hyde is the better fit. The Seahawks needed more of an early down back than Freeman, who might have fit in as the passing downs running back. Hyde is 6 feet, 229 pounds. He’s coming off a 1,070-yard season in which he averaged 4.4 yards per carry.

The Seahawks can use Travis Homer or DeeJay Dallas on passing downs. Hyde had 900-plus yard seasons in 2016 and 2017. Reports are he can make up to $4 million with incentives and playing time. He’s 29 with seven years of experience.

He’s the perfect insurance policy in case Carson has a problem and Rashaad Penny has trouble coming off his ACL injury.

Getting the veteran running back and bringing Geno Smith back as the backup quarterback leaves Schneider with one acquisition on his to-do list. He needs a run-stopping defensive tackle. By not going overboard and signing Freeman at his price, the Seahawks could strike gold if they can land Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison.

Adding a wide receiver would be a bonus. Antonio Brown won’t be an option until July and August and I only give that a 5 percent chance of happening. Like they did getting Hyde at a good price over Freeman, signing Josh Gordon would be a bonus addition.

The Seahawks currently have enough receivers. They don’t need to sign one, but Gordon is in the process of reapplying to forgo his suspension. He tweeted out that he is living and training in Seattle. Figuring he should be reinstated, Gordon should be able to get signed at a decent price, much like the Hyde addition.

Gordon liked playing for the Seahawks in Seattle a lot. The Seahawks liked him. Coming off a suspension, Gordon could sign for a contract that doesn’t risk much for the Seahawks if he has future troubles.

Back to Hyde for a second, his signing probably eliminates the chance of Marshawn Lynch returning but one thing you know with the Seahawks is that they don’t close the door in the talent market.

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