The Seattle Seahawks are currently undergoing a big rebuild with new head coach Mike Macdonald in charge, but John Schneider, the Seahawks general manager, is still making all the decisions.
One of the biggest surprises during free agency was seeing linebacker Jordyn Brooks sign a three-year, $26.25 million deal that could go up to $30 million with the Miami Dolphins.
Schneider had mentioned that keeping Brooks was a top priority, and the linebacker expressed his desire to return. However, retaining the team’s former first-rounder just wasn’t as essential as keeping Leonard Williams. Seattle re-signed Williams to a three-year, $64 million contract.
Joining Seattle Sports’ Bob and Wyman Show on March 14, Schneider was very straightforward about his decision to let Brooks go.
“Leonard’s deal took some time, and we knew that it would impact all of free agency,” Schneider explained. “[Miami] had a deal ready for Brooks, and we simply couldn’t move as fast as they did… At that point, we had prioritized Leonard over the linebacker position. So essentially, it was D-line over a linebacker.”
Though parting ways with Brooks was disappointing, Schneider emphasized the need to be business-minded. “We have to remove emotions and do what’s best for the organization, and that’s what we did,” Schneider said. “We put Leonard as our top priority, Miami acted swiftly with Jordyn, and again, they had missed out on a couple of people so they were able to move faster than we were.”
“You need to allocate your funds in a specific way. You need to be adaptable and try to comprehend what’s happening,” Schneider said regarding the rapid movement in the linebacker market. Regarding Brooks, “Miami stepped up and took the opportunity to acquire him. I’m looking forward to seeing him return healthy next year and thriving.”
Seahawks News: Jordyn Brooks Revealed ‘A Few Teams’ Pursued Him Before He Signed With the Dolphins
Seven hours into the NFL’s legal tampering period, Brooks agreed to terms with the Dolphins. On March 14, the 26-year-old told reporters that “a few teams” had pursued him, but Miami stood out.
“It’s the best situation in terms of being on a winning team, a team that I believed was on an upward trajectory,” Brooks explained. “And a team where I felt I could contribute as a middle linebacker. So, I think all those factors played a part in my decision.”
Last season, Brooks accumulated 111 total tackles, 5 hits on the quarterback, 4 pass defenses, and 1 interception resulting in a pick-six. He also achieved a career-high 4.5 sacks in 2023, along with eight tackles for loss.
“The coaching staff here and what they’re striving to achieve are also very appealing. So, that’s mainly why I chose it.”
The Seahawks Signed Former Bills LB Tyrel Dodson
After Brooks and Bobby Wagner left in free agency, Seattle signed former Buffalo Bills linebacker Tyrel Dodson.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Dodson had the opportunity to become a full-time starter during the 2023 NFL season after Matt Milano was injured. In 17 games and 10 starts, he recorded 74 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 pass defenses, and 1 forced fumble.
SI’s Corbin K. Smith wrote that Dodson was one of Pro Football Focus’ top three linebackers in 2023, with an impressive 86.8 coverage grade, which was higher than Ravens' Roquan Smith, a Pro Bowl defender.
“In addition to a remarkable 10.6 percent run stop rate among linebackers, he also managed 11 pressures and 2.5 sacks on only 41 blitz opportunities, resulting in a remarkable 26.8% pressure rate when he rushed as an additional player for the Bills.”
