Re-grading the Seattle Seahawks 2021 free agent signings

Jan 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett (81) is unable to make a touchdown catch against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett (81) is unable to make a touchdown catch against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Seahawks finished 7-10 and many of their 2021 free agents did not help the team this year. Some of those free agents may have failed to improper coaching, though. More on that in a moment.

There were a few bright spots for free agent signees, however. I have included those free agents Seattle brought back from 2020 and who they signed from other teams. For the higher grades, there is an equal split of new Seahawks and Seahawks brought back.

Seattle has a lot of cap space entering this offseason so that may mean more free agent signings from other teams. To be better in 2022, Seattle overall needs to make smarter decisions in that category.

Re-grading the Seattle Seahawks free agent signings from last offseason

The Fs

Pierre Desir

Pierre Desir was signed by the Seahawks but never played a down for the Seahawks this season. Instead, he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played in 12 games and started two. Pierre had 2 interceptions this season and a QBR-allowed of 84.4. For all the issues Seattle had health-wise at cornerback in 2021, Desir should have been kept.

Ahkello Witherspoon

Witherspoon wasn’t an All-Pro after he was traded from Seattle to the Steelers prior to the season but he still had 3 interceptions and a QBR-allowed of only 35.1 in 368 defensive snaps. Seattle could have used Witherspoon this year. Plus, they still owed him $1.25 million even after trading him.

Aldon Smith

Seattle took a chance on a player who has had several off-the-field issues over his career and they got burned. The Seahawks didn’t have to use much dead cap on Smith after he was released in July due to another off-field problem but he still took up a roster spot in training camp that another, more reliable player, should have had.