Where Seahawks stand in salary cap space after month of change

It’s been a dizzying past few weeks for the Seattle Seahawks.

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Veteran quarterback Geno Smith and star wide receiver DK Metcalf were traded away. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV and defensive lineman Jarran Reed are back after re-signing with the team. And entering the fold are a trio of big-name free-agent additions in quarterback Sam Darnold, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.

With the dust now mostly settled, OverTheCap.com has reported contract details for each of the Seahawks’ major moves this offseason, so there’s now a clearer picture of where the franchise’s salary-cap situation stands.

According to OTC, Seattle now has $36.01 million in cap space. That ranks fifth-most in the league, trailing just the New England Patriots ($64.22 million), the Las Vegas Raiders ($48.87 million), the Arizona Cardinals ($43.76 million) and the Detroit Lions ($42.94 million).

Here’s a closer look at some of the noteworthy contract details and salary cap information for the Seahawks’ biggest moves this offseason, according to OTC.

Sam Darnold

Darnold, 27, signed a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seahawks. It included $37.5 million of fully guaranteed money at the signing, plus another $17.5 million that becomes guaranteed if he’s on the roster next Feb. 15. There are two void years added to the contract in 2028 and 2029 to spread out the signing bonus.

Darnold carries just a $13.4 million salary cap hit for 2025, which accounts for just 4.7% of Seattle’s cap space. His cap hit then increases to $33.9 million for 2026 and $44.9 million for 2027. His 2028 void year carries a $12.8 million cap hit.

If Darnold ends up being the Seahawks’ long-term answer at QB, they could bring down his 2027 cap hit by signing him to a contract extension. Seattle also could reasonably get out of his contract in 2027 with a pre-June 1 release, which would create $25.7 million in cap savings and a $19.2 million dead cap hit.

Darnold’s $33.5 million average annual salary ranks 17th among quarterbacks, sitting between the New Orleans Saints’ Derek Carr ($37.5 million) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield ($33.33 million). Darnold’s 2025 cap hit ranks just 21st among QBs.

Cooper Kupp

Kupp, 31, signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Seahawks. It includes $17.5 million of fully guaranteed money at the signing, plus another $9 million that becomes guaranteed if he’s on the roster next Feb. 10.

Kupp carries a $9.35 million cap hit for 2025. The Yakima native’s cap hit then increases to $17.5 million for 2026 and $18 million for 2027. Seattle could get out of his contract in 2027 with $14 million in cap savings and just a $4 million dead cap hit.

Kupp’s $15 million per-year average ranks 24th among wide receivers.

DeMarcus Lawrence

Lawrence, 32, signed a three-year, $32.5 million deal with the Seahawks that includes $13 million of guaranteed money.

The four-time Pro Bowler carries a $7.68 million cap hit for 2025, followed by a $11.33 million cap hit for 2026 and a $12.83 million cap hit for 2027. Seattle could get out of his contract in 2027 with $10.7 million in cap savings and just a $2.13 million dead cap hit.

Lawrence’s $10.83 annual average ranks 28th among edge rushers.

Ernest Jones

Jones, 25, re-signed with the Seahawks on a three-year, $28.5 million deal that includes $10 million of fully guaranteed money.

Jones carries a $5.28 million cap hit for 2025, followed by a $10.33 million cap hit for 2026 and a $12.83 million cap hit for 2027. Seattle could get out of his contract in 2027 with $10.5 million in cap savings and just a $2.33 million dead cap hit.

Jones’ $9.5 million per-year average ranks 16th among linebackers.

Jarran Reed

Reed, 32, re-signed with the Seahawks on a three-year, $22 million deal that includes $8 million in fully guaranteed money.

Jones carries cap hits of $5 million in 2025, $7.5 million in 2026 and $9.5 million in 2027. Seattle could get out of his contract in 2027 with $8 million in cap savings and just a $1.5 million dead cap hit.

Reed’s $7.33 million annual average ranks 40th among interior defensive linemen.

Seattle Seahawks news and analysis

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