The Seattle Seahawks have some key decisions on the horizon regarding their talented 2022 draft class.
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That class has been among the best of general manager John Schneider’s tenure, producing a half-dozen starters in left tackle Charles Cross, right tackle Abraham Lucas, running back Kenneth Walker III, edge rusher Boye Mafe, safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Riq Woolen.
And with one year left on their rookie contracts, those six players became eligible this offseason to negotiate new deals.
But aside from picking up the fifth-year option on Cross’ rookie deal in April – which keeps him in Seattle through the 2026 season – the Seahawks have yet to reach contract extensions with any of their 2022 draft picks.
During a media session this past week, Schneider was asked about the 2022 draft class and his philosophy on extending players prior to the final year of their contract, as opposed to letting them play out their contract before offering them a new deal.
Schneider’s answer seemed to indicate the Seahawks have at least started contract discussions with some of those 2022 draft picks.
“It depends on the individual and where they are and how they’re performing or what their story is,” Schneider said. “Everybody has a different story. There’s a lot that goes on behind closed doors, and we’re proud that we can keep that in-house. We love our guys, and we’ll keep working with them.
“Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. And if it doesn’t, you just have to move on to the next guy. And we will never stop trying to do that. But there isn’t like one standard philosophy, other than (former owner Paul Allen’s) philosophy that we don’t do anything (more than) one year out. So we’ll continue that route.”
Schneider was then asked whether extension talks get put on hold now that the regular season is just around the corner.
“It’s always going on,” Schneider said. “It’s constantly going on. And it’s kind of in flux, again, depending on the individual, depending on the representation and how’s it going.”
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