Brock & Salk: Which free agents besides Geno should Seahawks re-sign?

The Seahawks’ clear priority this offseason will be addressing the quarterback position, likely bringing back Geno Smith after a Pro Bowl season.

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Aside from Smith, which pending free agents should the Seahawks focus on retaining?

“There’s quite a few of them as I’m looking at the Seahawks list in front of me,” former NFL quarterback Brock Huard said during Thursday’s Brock and Salk on Seattle Sports 710 AM.

The first name Huard discussed? Running back Rashaad Penny.

Penny ended the 2021 season on a tear before re-signing with the Seahawks, but after starting Seattle’s first five games, Penny suffered a season-ending leg injury. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry in 2022, rushing for 346 yards and two touchdowns on 57 carries.

“Rashaad Penny is on that list to try to figure out,” Huard said. “Honestly I don’t know if he’s right there behind (Smith) – there’s a case to be made for (backup QB) Drew Lock, there’s a case to be made for (safety) Ryan Neal.

Another name Huard thinks could be a priority? Center Austin Blythe, the “mouthpiece” of Seattle’s offensive line. Blythe joined the Seahawks in free agency last offseason on a one-year contract and started every game in 2022.

“(He) had a very good year for you. And he and Geno worked in unison, and he took command of that group (in a way) that we have not seen in a while at center,” he said. “That’s been a revolving door at center, man. How many different guys since Max Unger (was traded ahead of 2015) have played that position? You tell me that they love Austin Blythe, that that locker room loves Austin Blythe, that Geno loves Austin Blythe, then you can make a pretty convincing case to me internally that if there is that kind of love affair, you can find a reasonable number to solidify a position that’s been nothing but a revolving door.”

Huard mentioned Neal, who is a restricted free agent. That means the Seahawks can place a tender on him for various amounts of money that, if he signs elsewhere, would net Seattle draft pick compensation.

“But at what number? Do you want to tender him at $4 million to make sure he’s here, or $2 million and play a little game with the market?” Huard said.

Co-host Mike Salk is a fan of bringing Penny back for 2023.

“I would like to see them bring Rashaad Penny back, and my guess is that they can work that out,” he said. “I mean, how much leverage does Rashaad Penny have? Right? I mean, I would like to see him back. I still think he’s a really productive running back whenever he’s healthy.”

Listen to the second hour of Thursday’s Brock and Salk at this link or in the player below.

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