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In the midst of an up-and-down offseason that saw disappointment in free agency but a strong 2025 NFL draft class, could the Seattle Seahawks be open to making a big trade to further bolster their roster?
One Seahawks beat writer, The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar, believes it's at least possible.
In a recent mailbag, he suggests that the team could target Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson or Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander, although Dugar considers a trade for either unlikely.
Two guys who fall into the “could target” category are Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson and Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander. Will they target either of those players? I’d be surprised. The price for the 30-year-old Defensive Player of the Year runner-up is probably way out of Seattle’s budget. The combination of draft compensation to satisfy Cincinnati, age and Hendrickson’s desire for a new contract makes that a long shot, even though that’s the type of splashy move that would push the Seahawks closer to being a championship contender.
Alexander, 28, would upgrade Seattle’s cornerback room if healthy. But if health weren’t a concern, the Packers would have found a trade partner already. Plus, Alexander’s $16.1 million base salary in 2025 is more than Seattle is paying all three of its starting cornerbacks combined. Alexander is not that much of an upgrade to justify the gamble.
Hendrickson's future with the Cincinnati Bengals is very much in doubt, as the two sides have been unable to come to an agreement on an extension and the belief is Hendrickson could hold out if he doesn't get what we wants.
Things took a turn for the worse on Monday, when Hendrickson gave a candid statement to ESPN about how poorly things are going with Cincinnati.
"No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft," Hendrickson said, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. "The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are aware of these past conversations. Rather than using collaboration to get us to a point to bring me home to the team, THEY are no longer communicating. I have been eagerly awaiting a resolution of this situation, but that’s hard to do when there is no discussion and an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals.”
Meanwhile, Alexander has been the subject of trade and cut rumors all offseason long after three injury-plagued seasons in the last four. However, his $84 million contract is likely a major hurdle in teams wanting to acquire him.
If the Seahawks were to target one of them, Hendrickson would be the better bet. Granted, he'd cost a lot in draft capital and a new extension, but the $21 million edge rusher is a sure bet to offer a massive upgrade along the edge for Seattle.
Alexander, on the other hand, has been injury prone and would present a major risk. It simply wouldn't be worth it for the Seahawks to give up any semblance of draft capital to acquire him.
Now, if Alexander is cut, that would change things, as Seattle could get him on the cheap and wouldn't have to give up a draft pick. A trio of Alexander, Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon would be a promising one.
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