The Seattle Seahawks’ offense has already experienced quite a shift since the end of the 2024 season.
Ryan Grubb, Geno Smith, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett – among others – are gone. Klint Kubiak, Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are in.
Darnold’s Vikings center, a potential Seattle Seahawks target, now a free agent
With plenty of time left in free agency and NFL Draft just over a month, more additions to the offense are expected to be made before the 2025 season.
One of those positions could be tight end, and the Seahawks apparently have already been in pursuit of adding to that group.
During a press conference Monday, New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson – who just re-signed with New Orleans on a three-year deal worth $30.75 million – revealed the Seahawks were one of the teams he spoke with during his free agency process.
According to FOX football analyst and former NFL quarterback Brock Huard, tight end is a position worth “keeping an eye on” for Seattle moving forward.
“You can never – in (new offensive coordinator Kubiak’s) system – have enough quality tight ends with different skill sets,” Huard said Tuesday during his Blue 88 segment on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “So the (salary) number got obviously a little bit higher (for Johnson). He remains in New Orleans, but the fact that they kicked tires, the fact that they negotiated, the fact that they had some conversations with him is a little bit of a tell.”
As things currently stand, the Seahawks tight end room has a clear one-two combination at the top with Noah Fant and 2024 rookie AJ Barner. Special teams standout Brady Russell figures in as the No. 3 option, although he’s played just 49 offensive snaps in two pro seasons. Last year’s No. 3 tight end, Pharoah Brown, joined the Miami Dolphins on Monday.
Seattle would appear to be in the market for more of a No. 3-type tight end to replace Brown, but that may not be the case based on the Johnson pursuit. With Fant set to become a free agent after the 2025 campaign, the Seahawks could look for an option that can help long-term.
If the Seahawks were looking for impact at tight end in the free agency class, Johnson – who Kubiak coached last season as the Saints’ OC – was probably their best bet. He was the only free agent tight end under 30 years old who also played at least 50% of his team’s offense snaps last season. However, there are plenty of options in the 2025 draft class.
“It’s as deep a tight end class and running back class as I can remember,” Huard said. “I was just looking through all the guys. Oregon has its pro day today. Terrance Ferguson (is an) absolute monster there. And then there’s a monster, Mason Taylor, down at LSU, and then there’s that monster at Penn State (Tyler Warren), then there’s that monster at Michigan (Colston Loveland). There’s that monster at Bowling Green (Harold Fannin Jr.).
“There are a lot of dudes there, and (I’m) going to be very, very excited to see who they pair with their young draft pick (Barner) from a season ago, and what that means for Noah Fant and his money and all that stuff. I think it’s all worthy of keeping an eye on.”
Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
Seattle Seahawks news and analysis
• How contract details show Seattle Seahawks’ view on Darnold
• Huard: How new Seattle Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp will coexist with JSN
• What Macdonald likes about Seahawks’ 3 defensive front signings
• Report: Seattle Seahawks sign former Saints cornerback
• Bumpus: What Cooper Kupp at 31 gives the Seattle Seahawks’ offense