February 27, 2026 • 22 mins
Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune joins Dick Fain and Hugh Millen to talk about the Seahawks orders of business at the NFL Combine including trying to keep all their free agents, who will and won’t return, top combine players, and other player contracts.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let's talk some football with Greg Bell, who I understand
is uh has moved from the Combine in Indy to
Michigan to be with mom and his sister for a while.
So Greg, first and foremost, the most important question I
have for you is what's for dinner tonight?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Man?
Speaker 1 (00:17):
What is what is Mama Bell fixing for Greg to
night at home?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Well, we go out to visit.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Okay, Wow, she's her nineties.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Oh my goodness, Yes, she's done. She's done enough labor
for me over her lifetime. I ower a few dinners Bestiken.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Uh, No question about it.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Well, talk about like, let's just give your general thoughts
of what you saw at the combine. What jumped out
to you?
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Well, for this most combines seemed to be this way,
certainly for me covering it as a Seahawk beyt writer.
But of all the combines that they've had recently, especially
under John Schneider that sixteen years, this one, the most
I've noticed is more about the free agents and specifically
keeping their own free agents than it is the college
(01:09):
prospects and the underwearre Olympics that starting this weekend, and
everything we see on TV of the combine. That's not
why John Schneider is there. John Schneider is there for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
meeting with the agents for Kenneth Walker, for Rashijihi, for
Riq Willen and Kobe Bryant and Boy Mafe because especially
(01:30):
in the case of Kenneth Walker, this is the first
time he's gotten to have a face to face conversation
with Kenneth Walker's agents about what a new contract Michael
Loupeg because Walker just hired him last month. He hired
him the week of the NFC Championship game. David Canter
and is our sports group out of Florida. They haven't
had a chance to make any ground with the Seahawks
(01:51):
and Kenneth Walker's agents on a new deal, and of
course see that all this time to do it and
they haven't offered him anything. So this week was setting
a baseline from the agents of what the money would
take to re sign Seattle's own pending free agents, and
then the Seawxit John Schneider and his contract staff or
(02:13):
personnel guys will take that back to rent next week
and then base a counter offer off of that. Of course,
the clock's ticking because March ninth is one of the
markets you can legally tamper with free agents, and then
the official signings begin two days later. So it's a
condensed process for Snyder the super Bowl. Yes. The thing
that the corollator that's interesting, guys about this is that
(02:36):
I asked Schnyder, what about having just four draft picks
and how that changes your approach to the combine and
he pretty much said, we had this mapped out a
year or two ago, that this draft class was not
deep enough and not quality enough to be too worried
about relatively fewer picks, which is part of the reason,
the big reason they traded two third day picks to
(02:57):
get Rashijihi during the season this past year season. And
so he's basically punting this draft. Now. He may pick
up a couple extra picks beyond the four because as
we know, he's picking thirty second at the bottom of
each of the first three rounds, right, but he's not
making this a priority this draft, and it sounds it
feels to me like the COVID year draft when they
only had three pairs.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah, so if you look at this, what's your sense
of how they would prioritize. If you had to take
the free agents and list them no. Ties in order
of your perceived you know, importance coming from the Seahawk camp.
How would you rate the value of the free agents
(03:41):
and the Seahawks desire to sign.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Well, I said a little differently Hugh with I'll rate
him by likelihood of returning and being able to resign.
I think Rashichi he's the most likely and probably the easiest,
and that may be happening in the next few days,
next week. I'd be surprised if she he does not
come back for the reasons I've talked and written about before,
but primarily because he is a game breaking special teamer.
(04:08):
Yet they have Tory Horton coming back to be the
game breaking deep threat wide receiver, and so it's an
interesting situation that they're not going to need Rashid shi
heat in both roles next year. If it goes according
to plan and they get Horton back.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
So great, do they just pay him as a special
teamer then is he going to sign?
Speaker 2 (04:28):
I think that's what they're going to offer him, and
it'll be up to Shaheed whether they want to go
to market as a wide receiver and a special team.
I know the league values him much more as a
returner than as a wide receiver. I think Shaheed's going
to side with returning to a Super Bowl champion. He
loves Jay Harbaugh, he loves the culture. He has said
(04:49):
to me and others that he really wants to stay
here for as long as he could see, especially after
that was before they won the Super Bowl. I think
he's probably the easiest one to come back. The most complicated,
I want to bomb that, then I should go. The
second one is Kobe Bryant. The Seahawks value him with
anybody in the league because Mike mc donald values some
more than anybody league. They've had him three different positions.
(05:11):
I'd be really surprised if Bryant doesn't re sign. He's
McDonald loves how he works with Julian Love the most.
The doo complicated ones are to me are Woman, and
most of all Walker Woman because of his freakish physical
gifts six' four and the long arms and world class,
(05:33):
speed and the fact that he had A Pro bowl
selection in his rookieyear led the league with. Interceptions he's
gonna get, paid and he's gonna get paid a lot
of money at the primary position of need in the.
League and once a guy gets this close to free,
agency especially a guy who didn't even start full time last,
year he's going to get paid and he's going to
(05:54):
price himself out Of. SEATTLE i Think Kenneth walker situated
absolutely has changed in the last four. Weeks, okay so,
well for the last year or, So John schneider has
budgeted what he was going to spend On walker if
he wanted to offer him on the assumption That Jack
charmonay would be in the job share with him again next.
Year charbonay's contract runs through next. Season he wasn't counting,
(06:15):
nobody of, course for See charboney was going to tear
HIS acl and be out probably into the start of next.
Season how much does that Change seattle's money To? Walker to,
me that's the, question because if they Don't tony up For,
walker they even count Of walker been in a parade
With Mickey mouse the day after The Super bowl, either
(06:37):
there's no way they could have envisioned that he'll never
be valued higher than he is. Now walker twenty five years,
old Super BOWL. Mvp how much more money is that
going to Cost seattle and how much more money are
they willing to spend because they don't Have charbonay guaranteed
to come back for next. Season SO i think that
changes their calculus on. It and if they don't Resigned, walker,
(07:01):
guys you're going to. Well PLAN b is a very poor.
Draft and as you can tell, you can't count on
a rookie running back coming out of a college football
offense and be a bellcow running back in THE. Nfl
there's too much to. Learn you're reading plays off of cartoon,
(07:21):
characters off of cards one word. Plays you're, running, running,
shooting no, huddles you're not pass. Blocking it's just you're
not running outside. ZONE i, mean it is just it
is so different for a running back in THE nfl
compared to college football now that then it's even five
years ago that that beep is quantum THAT i can't
(07:42):
think they would be able to count on. That so
what does that? Mean does that mean A Breis hall
if The jets don't make to play to keep, Him
does that mean a free a younger twenty something free
agent like? That the league is really, reluctant as we,
know to spend money on multi year deals guaranteed, money
second contract to a position at the most attraded and
(08:02):
shortest lifespan in the.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
League Greg bell WITH us And GREG i find it.
Interesting you, know it's easy for all OF us, fans,
media everybody to kind of poo poo The Underwear, olympics,
right and yet over the last few years there's been
at least three players that we can say that are
absolutely at the very top of The Underwear olympics in
(08:26):
terms of all of their. Measurables Reek, wollen Nick a Min,
WORRY Dk metcalf on some, level not all. Levels you
could say there's a certain turbo button In Deva witherspoon
that shows up when you watch the. Tape maybe he
isn't in that, category but the first three those guys
are literally like record setting in their. Traits is do
(08:49):
you think that that that speaks to make Me mike
McDonald's willingness to, Say, okay let me take these these
guys that are just off the chain in their physical
all of their measurables at the, combine AND i can
teach him how to be a football. Player you, know
there's a Reason Nick eminory was.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
In the second.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Round they didn't think that he had those type of,
instincts and so at any, rate what about the idea
of this freak show on either side of the, ball
particularly on, defense and whether there's anybody that might fit the,
bill and how The seahawks feel about that these guys
that just test out in this incredible.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Way, yes to answer your, question but those were in
years The seahawks didn't make the playoffs and they were
drafting more in the low teens and upper twenties now
at the bottom of each of the first three. Rounds
the other, thing they had the draft, capital the trade
capitol last year to go up seventeen spots to get even.
Worried they don't have that this. Year part of the
(09:44):
reason they don't have is because they traded up to
get even, worried and then they traded For. Shiki they
may have four, picks, Right so these freaks that these
that are going to the Next Thursday friday you'll see
on national television In, indianapolis they aren't gonna be available
in the rounds That seattle's gonna be able to. PICK
(10:05):
i can't see The seahawks being able to.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Move kellen was a fifth rounder AND dk was the
end of the second. Round And nick, was you, know
early six second round in theory.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
They could they trade. Mecaf they did trade to Get,
Metcalf they did trade to get even worry they trade
to back up into the second round to Get. Metcalf
they don't have the ability this year to do. That
so only if a guy falls to them are they
gonna be able to get snag somebody like. That but you're,
Right Cam chanceller is a fifth round. Pick Richard sherman
(10:34):
was a fifth round. Pick they just have fewer opportunities
done because of just the four, picks three in the
first three rounds and then one after. That SO I
i really don't want to put water on fans excitement
for the draft Around, seattle But i'm telling you this
is a, devalued de emphasized draft from the Way John
(10:54):
snyder's sitting right, Now Craig bell joined.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Us Greg Is DeMarcus lawrence going to?
Speaker 2 (10:58):
RETIRE i don't. Think. SO i asked McDonald That Brady
henderson respn That CON's been on the beat a long,
time and he more of a supposition was putting connecting
dots saying he's going to be thirty. Four he's been
in the league twelve, years he finally got who he
didn't get in eleven years in the league In, dallas
(11:20):
and he wins The Super, bowl why not walk out on?
Top and that's, Plausible SO i asked McDonald and at the,
combine and McDonald, said. Nope lawrence told him he's coming.
Back Jared reed told him he's coming. Back all the
guys that are under, contract the veterans said they're coming
back and their exit. Now McDonald also, said, sure that can.
(11:40):
Change and if you're To Marcus lawrence and you're back
home right, now or you're on a beat somewhere and
believes or to ye Here, mexico that's a bad example
that you you may not be too keen on a
ramping it back up again right because you've already read
what else is there left for him To he's made
one hundred and fifty million, dollars he's won a Super
(12:01):
bowl that he had never won. Before the whole reason
he said he signed With. Seattle but having said, That,
dick as we, Know hugh knows this better than any of.
Us these guys are uniquely competitive and they're getting told
now that they can't do it a second. Time people
don't win The Super bowl back to back except by rare,
exception and you can't do it. Again and as De
(12:22):
Marcus lawrence fueled by that is the brotherhood that they
were so talting is the reason that they got WHAT
i got this past season and winning at, all the
brotherhood challenged to do it. Again and is that enough
to get everybody rapped up and off the beach and
back into the offseason? Workouts it'll start In. April that's
the ultra competitive nature of a professional athlete that you
(12:45):
AND i can't. Comprehend it's hard to put an estimation on.
That so my got failing is That lawrence will come.
BACK i could see every reason why he wouldn't want,
To but he's in the second year of a three year,
deal which was somewhat notable when he signed at thirty
three for three year.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Contracts Greg let's imagine a timeline of where these contracts
are going to get.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Done.
Speaker 3 (13:08):
Uh where do you SEE jsn on that? Timeline and
have you been given any any indication that The seahawks
aren't one hundred percent uh willing to pay you, know
PAY jsn ultimately what what they're going to have to pay.
THEM i, mean there's no there's no thought of moving
(13:29):
on FROM. Jsn it just sounds absurd coming out of my.
Mouth BUT i think that there's a small faction Of
seahawks fans hey, Wonder, hey is it is it really worth?
It would you be better off drating them for two
first or what have? You but where DOES jsn fit
on the timeline and how of these signings and how
does it impact some of these other. Contracts, well.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Actually in the, Combine i'm talking to team people around
the league and with the. Team i'll tell you THAT
i got the opposite impression that, then of they might
not move they might move on from. THEM i got the,
opposite the opposite of being they're going to resign them
and it's gonna be this. Summer John schneider, said we
don't consider the fifty year, option an option he rarely
uses on first round, picks so he does consider this
(14:14):
to be the contract end of contract years FOR jsn
and For. Witherspoon and typically there's foundation. Players they get
their deals in the, summer right right before or right
after the started training, camp so they on the and
they're in the back of the line as far as
after they go For walker And rashid Chi he And
(14:36):
wooloan and what they decide to do With Kobe bryant
and Boy. Mafe then they go get plug in free.
AGENTS i think defense of an offensive line depth AS i,
said perhaps a running back to Pegam milwauker, situation or
even including. It and then they get to the summer
and we'll go TO jsn And. Witherspoon they've budget already
(14:56):
how much is gonna play and it could be a
two hundred million dollar. Contract we're talking too for the
offensive player of the year At smith And Jigbub but
it's not surprising them coming up at the end of their,
contract aytew this and they've had it. Budgeted those two
guys are. Pillars they're gonna get new. Deals i'm almost
certain of. It of, Course i'm the same guy who
said they'll never Trade Russell. Wilson but these two guys
(15:18):
still in the times of their, CAREERS i Mean smith
and jig but just turned twenty. Two it's they're going
to be around a long time and they're going to
get paid at the top of their, positions most Likely
july Early.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
August are they okay With sam's cap hit going from
thirteen to thirty eight million dollars this, year or do
you see some restructuring?
Speaker 2 (15:38):
There, WELL i asked that. QUESTION i Asked snyder about,
that and he, said he signed a three year, deal,
right and he's only played one, year but, RIGHT i
mean he's got two more. LEFT i, asked Does darnold's
situation perhaps be an exception to redoing guys that have
one year only one year left on the. Deal he
(16:00):
made it sound like, No but of course telling me
something and what he actually does might be two different.
Things but he's got a track, record you're.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
RIGHT i, mean he's got a track record of signing
guys before their last season under a contractor.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
That's, right and he also, will LIKE i would Love
donald to play another season at the cap rate that
he's at, now he's far exceeded his contract value. ALREADY i,
mean if they had said before they Signed, donald we're
signing a quarterback that's going to win The Super bowl this,
year they would have paid a lot more than three, years, right.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Especially especially one that literally won the game to get
them to the Super bowl.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Exactly They So snyder would love to be every every
day of this contract he can under the because he's
already outperformed. It so BUT i think They donald will
be next, Year smith And jiggba for The Big bucks
on track going into training camp for twenty twenty. Seven
gotcha a.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Couple more minutes With Greg.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Bell.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
Greg there's a report that came out that THE nfl
there's a report card with all the players taking this
survey and theme.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
UP i certainly would.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
HAVE i think a lot of my teammates would have,
too you, know you, know just sign of the, times.
Right but But seattle earned AN a, plus a or
a minus in fourteen of the seventeen, categories, right including,
ownership head Coach John, schneider the, nutritionists and offensive coordinator
a YadA, YadA all the the one one of.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Aiden like? That, yeah, yeah how about?
Speaker 3 (17:45):
That so the the field, surface AND i think that
was common with many others with the with the with
the turf got AN f for loom and. Field so
that that was. Ad but you know that that may
not be. Fixable but but what my my my question
is is that a source of pride for the the
(18:06):
principles involved With seahawks that they can have that is
that something that they they strive to get these kind of.
Grades do you think it has an?
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Impact? What? What? What? What? What? What?
Speaker 3 (18:14):
What do you think The seahawks make of that that?
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Report, yeah they absolutely pay attention to. It i'm Talking
Jody allen on down Through John, Schneider mike. McDonald it's
a big. Deal it's a street. Cred it's one of
those few publicly verifiable street cred uh measures there are
to pull the curtain back on. Organizations and it is
the perception and reality thing that free agents do pay attention.
(18:41):
To because the free agents that signed with The seahawks
or any other team are the ones who voted on
that survey just a couple of weeks or a couple
of months, ago in Mid. DECEMBER i will say a
couple of things on. That, first hats off To Caitlin,
keyler THE espn report reporter who obtained and then publicized
what the arbors said the NFL pa could not, publicize
(19:02):
and so the NFL pa, says all, right we'll just
hand it to her and she can put it out for,
us which is still by the letter of the arbiters. Ruling,
okay the field issue is to me fixable because this
year there will be, grass, yeah and worlding field for
the for The World. Cup this to me is a
a make your mark issue for the new owners that
(19:24):
come in by The. Seahawks you're not going to change
the football. Operation you'd be absolutely stupid To you're not
going to change the culture That mike McDonald And John
schneider have. Said so what can you change that actually
matters to? Players, well let's look at the. Report, oh
the field is an F by the, way this is
a latent. Vote this was the first time of the
four years that the survey has been existence that they
(19:46):
they had home field surface as a. Category so there
have Been seahawks that have been around a few days
THAT i can even feel THAT i can tak up
on my, head BUT i won't who have been complaining
about this field for a long. Time players a hate.
TURF i don't care what THE nfl says about their
propaganda with studies that say in real grass and turf
(20:07):
are equal in. Injuries, no players hate. Turf they can't
walk after playing on it for days and. Days they
much prefer. Grass there's fifteen or thirty teams that play on,
grass and when The seahawks play on Grass it's like
they're telling them they get to go To hawaii for the.
Week they think it's a vacation compared to what they
usually have to play on the Sew. Siaks owners can fix.
(20:29):
This they can either keep THEIR fifa grass field from
this year or come up with a different, solution but
they don't have to go back to what it currently.
Is of, course we know why it's currently this way
is BECAUSE nfl owners don't want. To the reason why
they're billionaires is they make money and they don't spend.
Money they don't want to spend Their they like their,
(20:49):
revenue their their cost, advantage and the revenue share a
grass field cuts into that, well.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Because whether they whi two different. THINGS i, mean have
we seen the last game ever At luminfield with?
Speaker 2 (21:03):
TURF i don't think, so but it's they. Should i'm
not sure that a new owner is going to want
to cut out revenue streams of A Taylor swift concert
and A morgan Wall in concert and a, motocross or
if they do have those concerts and a motocross replacing
the grass field every time they do. It the players
(21:23):
wanted it done. Yesterday they wish they could play on grass,
anytime and people, say, well it rains too much in a.
Climate they grow grass in the desert In Las vegas
And arizona on trays and roll them in greenhouses during
the week and then roll them in for the game
and roll them back out. Again it's, doable but that
costs money and owners don't like to spend. Money they
(21:43):
like to make. Money so that's. Well see if you
want to if to, me if you want to get
on the players good side as a new, owner don't
change anything but the field. Surface and, hell The seas
would be number one in the league in. Ratings they
change the field. Service they have Always, greg you're number
one in our.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Ratings, man go have a good dinner with your mom
and your.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
SISTER i appreciate. That. Guys good to talk to.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
You, thanks save travels. Home Greg bell from the Coma
news tribute and always does an amazing job both for
us and in the. Newspaper lots to get. To we
have Got Daniel kramer Talking mariner baseball at five. O'clock
we're also gonna talk About Jerry brewer's visit With Ian
furness coming up as. Well before the end of the,
(22:25):
Show Brian schmetzer at six o'clock on ninety three point
THREE kjrfm
Let's talk some football with Greg Bell, who I understand
is uh has moved from the Combine in Indy to
Michigan to be with mom and his sister for a while.
So Greg, first and foremost, the most important question I
have for you is what's for dinner tonight?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Man?
Speaker 1 (00:17):
What is what is Mama Bell fixing for Greg to
night at home?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Well, we go out to visit.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Okay, Wow, she's her nineties.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Oh my goodness, Yes, she's done. She's done enough labor
for me over her lifetime. I ower a few dinners Bestiken.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Uh, No question about it.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Well, talk about like, let's just give your general thoughts
of what you saw at the combine. What jumped out
to you?
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Well, for this most combines seemed to be this way,
certainly for me covering it as a Seahawk beyt writer.
But of all the combines that they've had recently, especially
under John Schneider that sixteen years, this one, the most
I've noticed is more about the free agents and specifically
keeping their own free agents than it is the college
(01:09):
prospects and the underwearre Olympics that starting this weekend, and
everything we see on TV of the combine. That's not
why John Schneider is there. John Schneider is there for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
meeting with the agents for Kenneth Walker, for Rashijihi, for
Riq Willen and Kobe Bryant and Boy Mafe because especially
(01:30):
in the case of Kenneth Walker, this is the first
time he's gotten to have a face to face conversation
with Kenneth Walker's agents about what a new contract Michael
Loupeg because Walker just hired him last month. He hired
him the week of the NFC Championship game. David Canter
and is our sports group out of Florida. They haven't
had a chance to make any ground with the Seahawks
(01:51):
and Kenneth Walker's agents on a new deal, and of
course see that all this time to do it and
they haven't offered him anything. So this week was setting
a baseline from the agents of what the money would
take to re sign Seattle's own pending free agents, and
then the Seawxit John Schneider and his contract staff or
(02:13):
personnel guys will take that back to rent next week
and then base a counter offer off of that. Of course,
the clock's ticking because March ninth is one of the
markets you can legally tamper with free agents, and then
the official signings begin two days later. So it's a
condensed process for Snyder the super Bowl. Yes. The thing
that the corollator that's interesting, guys about this is that
(02:36):
I asked Schnyder, what about having just four draft picks
and how that changes your approach to the combine and
he pretty much said, we had this mapped out a
year or two ago, that this draft class was not
deep enough and not quality enough to be too worried
about relatively fewer picks, which is part of the reason,
the big reason they traded two third day picks to
(02:57):
get Rashijihi during the season this past year season. And
so he's basically punting this draft. Now. He may pick
up a couple extra picks beyond the four because as
we know, he's picking thirty second at the bottom of
each of the first three rounds, right, but he's not
making this a priority this draft, and it sounds it
feels to me like the COVID year draft when they
only had three pairs.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah, so if you look at this, what's your sense
of how they would prioritize. If you had to take
the free agents and list them no. Ties in order
of your perceived you know, importance coming from the Seahawk camp.
How would you rate the value of the free agents
(03:41):
and the Seahawks desire to sign.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Well, I said a little differently Hugh with I'll rate
him by likelihood of returning and being able to resign.
I think Rashichi he's the most likely and probably the easiest,
and that may be happening in the next few days,
next week. I'd be surprised if she he does not
come back for the reasons I've talked and written about before,
but primarily because he is a game breaking special teamer.
(04:08):
Yet they have Tory Horton coming back to be the
game breaking deep threat wide receiver, and so it's an
interesting situation that they're not going to need Rashid shi
heat in both roles next year. If it goes according
to plan and they get Horton back.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
So great, do they just pay him as a special
teamer then is he going to sign?
Speaker 2 (04:28):
I think that's what they're going to offer him, and
it'll be up to Shaheed whether they want to go
to market as a wide receiver and a special team.
I know the league values him much more as a
returner than as a wide receiver. I think Shaheed's going
to side with returning to a Super Bowl champion. He
loves Jay Harbaugh, he loves the culture. He has said
(04:49):
to me and others that he really wants to stay
here for as long as he could see, especially after
that was before they won the Super Bowl. I think
he's probably the easiest one to come back. The most complicated,
I want to bomb that, then I should go. The
second one is Kobe Bryant. The Seahawks value him with
anybody in the league because Mike mc donald values some
more than anybody league. They've had him three different positions.
(05:11):
I'd be really surprised if Bryant doesn't re sign. He's
McDonald loves how he works with Julian Love the most.
The doo complicated ones are to me are Woman, and
most of all Walker Woman because of his freakish physical
gifts six' four and the long arms and world class,
(05:33):
speed and the fact that he had A Pro bowl
selection in his rookieyear led the league with. Interceptions he's
gonna get, paid and he's gonna get paid a lot
of money at the primary position of need in the.
League and once a guy gets this close to free,
agency especially a guy who didn't even start full time last,
year he's going to get paid and he's going to
(05:54):
price himself out Of. SEATTLE i Think Kenneth walker situated
absolutely has changed in the last four. Weeks, okay so,
well for the last year or, So John schneider has
budgeted what he was going to spend On walker if
he wanted to offer him on the assumption That Jack
charmonay would be in the job share with him again next.
Year charbonay's contract runs through next. Season he wasn't counting,
(06:15):
nobody of, course for See charboney was going to tear
HIS acl and be out probably into the start of next.
Season how much does that Change seattle's money To? Walker to,
me that's the, question because if they Don't tony up For,
walker they even count Of walker been in a parade
With Mickey mouse the day after The Super bowl, either
(06:37):
there's no way they could have envisioned that he'll never
be valued higher than he is. Now walker twenty five years,
old Super BOWL. Mvp how much more money is that
going to Cost seattle and how much more money are
they willing to spend because they don't Have charbonay guaranteed
to come back for next. Season SO i think that
changes their calculus on. It and if they don't Resigned, walker,
(07:01):
guys you're going to. Well PLAN b is a very poor.
Draft and as you can tell, you can't count on
a rookie running back coming out of a college football
offense and be a bellcow running back in THE. Nfl
there's too much to. Learn you're reading plays off of cartoon,
(07:21):
characters off of cards one word. Plays you're, running, running,
shooting no, huddles you're not pass. Blocking it's just you're
not running outside. ZONE i, mean it is just it
is so different for a running back in THE nfl
compared to college football now that then it's even five
years ago that that beep is quantum THAT i can't
(07:42):
think they would be able to count on. That so
what does that? Mean does that mean A Breis hall
if The jets don't make to play to keep, Him
does that mean a free a younger twenty something free
agent like? That the league is really, reluctant as we,
know to spend money on multi year deals guaranteed, money
second contract to a position at the most attraded and
(08:02):
shortest lifespan in the.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
League Greg bell WITH us And GREG i find it.
Interesting you, know it's easy for all OF us, fans,
media everybody to kind of poo poo The Underwear, olympics,
right and yet over the last few years there's been
at least three players that we can say that are
absolutely at the very top of The Underwear olympics in
(08:26):
terms of all of their. Measurables Reek, wollen Nick a Min,
WORRY Dk metcalf on some, level not all. Levels you
could say there's a certain turbo button In Deva witherspoon
that shows up when you watch the. Tape maybe he
isn't in that, category but the first three those guys
are literally like record setting in their. Traits is do
(08:49):
you think that that that speaks to make Me mike
McDonald's willingness to, Say, okay let me take these these
guys that are just off the chain in their physical
all of their measurables at the, combine AND i can
teach him how to be a football. Player you, know
there's a Reason Nick eminory was.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
In the second.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Round they didn't think that he had those type of,
instincts and so at any, rate what about the idea
of this freak show on either side of the, ball
particularly on, defense and whether there's anybody that might fit the,
bill and how The seahawks feel about that these guys
that just test out in this incredible.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Way, yes to answer your, question but those were in
years The seahawks didn't make the playoffs and they were
drafting more in the low teens and upper twenties now
at the bottom of each of the first three. Rounds
the other, thing they had the draft, capital the trade
capitol last year to go up seventeen spots to get even.
Worried they don't have that this. Year part of the
(09:44):
reason they don't have is because they traded up to
get even, worried and then they traded For. Shiki they
may have four, picks, Right so these freaks that these
that are going to the Next Thursday friday you'll see
on national television In, indianapolis they aren't gonna be available
in the rounds That seattle's gonna be able to. PICK
(10:05):
i can't see The seahawks being able to.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Move kellen was a fifth rounder AND dk was the
end of the second. Round And nick, was you, know
early six second round in theory.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
They could they trade. Mecaf they did trade to Get,
Metcalf they did trade to get even worry they trade
to back up into the second round to Get. Metcalf
they don't have the ability this year to do. That
so only if a guy falls to them are they
gonna be able to get snag somebody like. That but you're,
Right Cam chanceller is a fifth round. Pick Richard sherman
(10:34):
was a fifth round. Pick they just have fewer opportunities
done because of just the four, picks three in the
first three rounds and then one after. That SO I
i really don't want to put water on fans excitement
for the draft Around, seattle But i'm telling you this
is a, devalued de emphasized draft from the Way John
(10:54):
snyder's sitting right, Now Craig bell joined.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Us Greg Is DeMarcus lawrence going to?
Speaker 2 (10:58):
RETIRE i don't. Think. SO i asked McDonald That Brady
henderson respn That CON's been on the beat a long,
time and he more of a supposition was putting connecting
dots saying he's going to be thirty. Four he's been
in the league twelve, years he finally got who he
didn't get in eleven years in the league In, dallas
(11:20):
and he wins The Super, bowl why not walk out on?
Top and that's, Plausible SO i asked McDonald and at the,
combine and McDonald, said. Nope lawrence told him he's coming.
Back Jared reed told him he's coming. Back all the
guys that are under, contract the veterans said they're coming
back and their exit. Now McDonald also, said, sure that can.
(11:40):
Change and if you're To Marcus lawrence and you're back
home right, now or you're on a beat somewhere and
believes or to ye Here, mexico that's a bad example
that you you may not be too keen on a
ramping it back up again right because you've already read
what else is there left for him To he's made
one hundred and fifty million, dollars he's won a Super
(12:01):
bowl that he had never won. Before the whole reason
he said he signed With. Seattle but having said, That,
dick as we, Know hugh knows this better than any of.
Us these guys are uniquely competitive and they're getting told
now that they can't do it a second. Time people
don't win The Super bowl back to back except by rare,
exception and you can't do it. Again and as De
(12:22):
Marcus lawrence fueled by that is the brotherhood that they
were so talting is the reason that they got WHAT
i got this past season and winning at, all the
brotherhood challenged to do it. Again and is that enough
to get everybody rapped up and off the beach and
back into the offseason? Workouts it'll start In. April that's
the ultra competitive nature of a professional athlete that you
(12:45):
AND i can't. Comprehend it's hard to put an estimation on.
That so my got failing is That lawrence will come.
BACK i could see every reason why he wouldn't want,
To but he's in the second year of a three year,
deal which was somewhat notable when he signed at thirty
three for three year.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Contracts Greg let's imagine a timeline of where these contracts
are going to get.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Done.
Speaker 3 (13:08):
Uh where do you SEE jsn on that? Timeline and
have you been given any any indication that The seahawks
aren't one hundred percent uh willing to pay you, know
PAY jsn ultimately what what they're going to have to pay.
THEM i, mean there's no there's no thought of moving
(13:29):
on FROM. Jsn it just sounds absurd coming out of my.
Mouth BUT i think that there's a small faction Of
seahawks fans hey, Wonder, hey is it is it really worth?
It would you be better off drating them for two
first or what have? You but where DOES jsn fit
on the timeline and how of these signings and how
does it impact some of these other. Contracts, well.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Actually in the, Combine i'm talking to team people around
the league and with the. Team i'll tell you THAT
i got the opposite impression that, then of they might
not move they might move on from. THEM i got the,
opposite the opposite of being they're going to resign them
and it's gonna be this. Summer John schneider, said we
don't consider the fifty year, option an option he rarely
uses on first round, picks so he does consider this
(14:14):
to be the contract end of contract years FOR jsn
and For. Witherspoon and typically there's foundation. Players they get
their deals in the, summer right right before or right
after the started training, camp so they on the and
they're in the back of the line as far as
after they go For walker And rashid Chi he And
(14:36):
wooloan and what they decide to do With Kobe bryant
and Boy. Mafe then they go get plug in free.
AGENTS i think defense of an offensive line depth AS i,
said perhaps a running back to Pegam milwauker, situation or
even including. It and then they get to the summer
and we'll go TO jsn And. Witherspoon they've budget already
(14:56):
how much is gonna play and it could be a
two hundred million dollar. Contract we're talking too for the
offensive player of the year At smith And Jigbub but
it's not surprising them coming up at the end of their,
contract aytew this and they've had it. Budgeted those two
guys are. Pillars they're gonna get new. Deals i'm almost
certain of. It of, Course i'm the same guy who
said they'll never Trade Russell. Wilson but these two guys
(15:18):
still in the times of their, CAREERS i Mean smith
and jig but just turned twenty. Two it's they're going
to be around a long time and they're going to
get paid at the top of their, positions most Likely
july Early.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
August are they okay With sam's cap hit going from
thirteen to thirty eight million dollars this, year or do
you see some restructuring?
Speaker 2 (15:38):
There, WELL i asked that. QUESTION i Asked snyder about,
that and he, said he signed a three year, deal,
right and he's only played one, year but, RIGHT i
mean he's got two more. LEFT i, asked Does darnold's
situation perhaps be an exception to redoing guys that have
one year only one year left on the. Deal he
(16:00):
made it sound like, No but of course telling me
something and what he actually does might be two different.
Things but he's got a track, record you're.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
RIGHT i, mean he's got a track record of signing
guys before their last season under a contractor.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
That's, right and he also, will LIKE i would Love
donald to play another season at the cap rate that
he's at, now he's far exceeded his contract value. ALREADY i,
mean if they had said before they Signed, donald we're
signing a quarterback that's going to win The Super bowl this,
year they would have paid a lot more than three, years, right.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Especially especially one that literally won the game to get
them to the Super bowl.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Exactly They So snyder would love to be every every
day of this contract he can under the because he's
already outperformed. It so BUT i think They donald will
be next, Year smith And jiggba for The Big bucks
on track going into training camp for twenty twenty. Seven
gotcha a.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Couple more minutes With Greg.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Bell.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
Greg there's a report that came out that THE nfl
there's a report card with all the players taking this
survey and theme.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
UP i certainly would.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
HAVE i think a lot of my teammates would have,
too you, know you, know just sign of the, times.
Right but But seattle earned AN a, plus a or
a minus in fourteen of the seventeen, categories, right including,
ownership head Coach John, schneider the, nutritionists and offensive coordinator
a YadA, YadA all the the one one of.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Aiden like? That, yeah, yeah how about?
Speaker 3 (17:45):
That so the the field, surface AND i think that
was common with many others with the with the with
the turf got AN f for loom and. Field so
that that was. Ad but you know that that may
not be. Fixable but but what my my my question
is is that a source of pride for the the
(18:06):
principles involved With seahawks that they can have that is
that something that they they strive to get these kind of.
Grades do you think it has an?
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Impact? What? What? What? What? What? What?
Speaker 3 (18:14):
What do you think The seahawks make of that that?
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Report, yeah they absolutely pay attention to. It i'm Talking
Jody allen on down Through John, Schneider mike. McDonald it's
a big. Deal it's a street. Cred it's one of
those few publicly verifiable street cred uh measures there are
to pull the curtain back on. Organizations and it is
the perception and reality thing that free agents do pay attention.
(18:41):
To because the free agents that signed with The seahawks
or any other team are the ones who voted on
that survey just a couple of weeks or a couple
of months, ago in Mid. DECEMBER i will say a
couple of things on. That, first hats off To Caitlin,
keyler THE espn report reporter who obtained and then publicized
what the arbors said the NFL pa could not, publicize
(19:02):
and so the NFL pa, says all, right we'll just
hand it to her and she can put it out for,
us which is still by the letter of the arbiters. Ruling,
okay the field issue is to me fixable because this
year there will be, grass, yeah and worlding field for
the for The World. Cup this to me is a
a make your mark issue for the new owners that
(19:24):
come in by The. Seahawks you're not going to change
the football. Operation you'd be absolutely stupid To you're not
going to change the culture That mike McDonald And John
schneider have. Said so what can you change that actually
matters to? Players, well let's look at the. Report, oh
the field is an F by the, way this is
a latent. Vote this was the first time of the
four years that the survey has been existence that they
(19:46):
they had home field surface as a. Category so there
have Been seahawks that have been around a few days
THAT i can even feel THAT i can tak up
on my, head BUT i won't who have been complaining
about this field for a long. Time players a hate.
TURF i don't care what THE nfl says about their
propaganda with studies that say in real grass and turf
(20:07):
are equal in. Injuries, no players hate. Turf they can't
walk after playing on it for days and. Days they
much prefer. Grass there's fifteen or thirty teams that play on,
grass and when The seahawks play on Grass it's like
they're telling them they get to go To hawaii for the.
Week they think it's a vacation compared to what they
usually have to play on the Sew. Siaks owners can fix.
(20:29):
This they can either keep THEIR fifa grass field from
this year or come up with a different, solution but
they don't have to go back to what it currently.
Is of, course we know why it's currently this way
is BECAUSE nfl owners don't want. To the reason why
they're billionaires is they make money and they don't spend.
Money they don't want to spend Their they like their,
(20:49):
revenue their their cost, advantage and the revenue share a
grass field cuts into that, well.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Because whether they whi two different. THINGS i, mean have
we seen the last game ever At luminfield with?
Speaker 2 (21:03):
TURF i don't think, so but it's they. Should i'm
not sure that a new owner is going to want
to cut out revenue streams of A Taylor swift concert
and A morgan Wall in concert and a, motocross or
if they do have those concerts and a motocross replacing
the grass field every time they do. It the players
(21:23):
wanted it done. Yesterday they wish they could play on grass,
anytime and people, say, well it rains too much in a.
Climate they grow grass in the desert In Las vegas
And arizona on trays and roll them in greenhouses during
the week and then roll them in for the game
and roll them back out. Again it's, doable but that
costs money and owners don't like to spend. Money they
(21:43):
like to make. Money so that's. Well see if you
want to if to, me if you want to get
on the players good side as a new, owner don't
change anything but the field. Surface and, hell The seas
would be number one in the league in. Ratings they
change the field. Service they have Always, greg you're number
one in our.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Ratings, man go have a good dinner with your mom
and your.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
SISTER i appreciate. That. Guys good to talk to.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
You, thanks save travels. Home Greg bell from the Coma
news tribute and always does an amazing job both for
us and in the. Newspaper lots to get. To we
have Got Daniel kramer Talking mariner baseball at five. O'clock
we're also gonna talk About Jerry brewer's visit With Ian
furness coming up as. Well before the end of the,
(22:25):
Show Brian schmetzer at six o'clock on ninety three point
THREE kjrfm
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