The Seattle Seahawks have reportedly given right tackle Abraham Lucas a three-year contract extension, set to start in 2026, that will pay him as much as $46 million. He might even more with incentives, though we can assume lots of per-game incentives will be built in as well.
The truth is that Lucas is potentially a near-Pro Bowl caliber player, but he hasn't stayed healthy in the last two seasons. He appeared in just 13 games combined in 2023 and 2024. When he can play, he is very good at pass protection and rub-blocking, and he has a nasty attitude.
But the deal is a big risk. Can Lucas stay healthy? For the first time since his rookie season in 2022, he is entering 2025 without any injury concerns. His knee issue was called chronic by former head coach Pete Carroll, but the team and player have disputed that. We will see.
Lucas could be the first of several upcoming extensions, and the move might be a smart one. If Lucas can play most, if not all, of this season, he is going to be good. What he would command on the free agent market would be worth more than $12 million a season Seattle gave him.
While the deal seems a bit of a push now, it might not be next offseason. The Seahawks should try to wrap up the other 2026 free agents as well. The list includes edge rusher Boye Mafe, cornerback Riq Woolen, cornerback Coby Bryant, and, potentially, running back Kenneth Walker III.
All of those players have rookie deals that end next offseason. Left tackle Charles Cross, who is absolutely worth keeping around, had his fifth-year option picked up, so Seattle doesn't have to sign him to an extension until the offseason in 2027. John Schneider shouldn't wait, though.
Mafe could have a full breakout season in 2025 after getting close to 10 sacks in each of the last two years. Bryant turned into a diamond in head coach Mike Macdonald's defensive scheme last season, but he needs to be good again this year, too.
Woolen is trending toward getting a deal that pays him at least $15 million a season next year, but he needs to excel in coverage again this season while showing he can be solid in run support. He also shouldn't risk being a team issue, as he was ahead of Week 15 in 2024 when he was suspended for the first drive of the game for breaking unspecified team rules.
Walker might have a huge season, but he has to for the Seattle Seahawks (or any team) to give him a big deal. Running backs are currently underpaid overall, and Walker missed six games last season. He needs to stay healthy and good in 2025, but could get a deal that pays him north of $10 million a year if he does.