The Seattle Seahawks’ offensive line had a fairly average performance in the 2023 season, allowing 70 hurries (the most), 47 QB hits (16th-most), 155 pressures (9th-most), with a 24.4% pressure percentage (6th-highest), 38 sacks (23rd-most), and a 53% pass rush win rate (25th-highest).
Particularly, the offensive guard position faced challenges as two starters from the previous season have moved on in free agency. Damien Lewis joined the Carolina Panthers, while Phil Haynes remains unsigned. Presently, Tremayne Anchrum Jr. has started only once in 31 career games, Anthony Bradford has ten starts in 14 career games, and McClendon Curtis has yet to start in his one career game.
With only $2 million in cap space, Seattle cannot afford to make a top-dollar investment in a free-agent guard and seeks to acquire one with prior starting experience.
According to an ESPN reporter, the Seattle Seahawks are considering Pro Bowl guard Laken Tomlinson as a potential addition. Brady Henderson, an NFL Nation reporter for ESPN covering the Seahawks, suggests that Tomlinson could be a suitable fit, especially since he was recently released by the New York Jets.
Tomlinson spent the last two seasons with the Jets after signing a 3-year, $40 million contract in 2022. During his tenure with the Jets, Tomlinson participated in 34 games, with four penalties, eight sacks allowed, and a 55.9 PFF Grade across 2,209 offensive snaps. The Jets released him during this offseason.
Signing Tomlinson would represent a significant improvement over Anchrum Jr., the current starting left guard. Furthermore, Tomlinson’s extensive experience, with over 138 starts in 146 career games, and remarkable durability, having missed only one game in his nine-year career, adds to his appeal.
Another viable option Henderson mentions is Cody Whitehair, who shares a similar experience with Tomlinson, boasting 118 career starts at the age of 31. Like Tomlinson, Whitehair was also released by his previous team, the Chicago Bears, making him an attractive option for the Seahawks without affecting compensatory picks.
In the event that Seattle doesn’t secure a guard in free agency, it wouldn’t be surprising if they opt to address the position through the draft.
