Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times hears that contract talks between the Seahawks RB Devonta Freeman have “hit a standstill” and Carlos Hyde could be a more “realistic option” for Seattle in terms of a veteran running back.
Condotta adds that the Seahawks want to sign a veteran back, but don’t want to “break the bank” to do so.
The Eagles are reportedly in the mix for both Freeman and Hyde, which could be impacting negotiations between the Seahawks and Freeman.
Earlier in the week, Mike Silver reports that the Seahawks are offering Freeman a one-year deal worth up to $4 million.
It’s worth mentioning that the Seahawks have spoken with Marshawn Lynch about a potential return to Seattle as well.
There are obvious questions about the Seahawks’ running back situation.
Rashaad Penny could end up opening the 2020 season on the PUP list, as he works his way back from a torn ACL he suffered last year. Meanwhile, Chris Carson is rehabbing a hip injury.
Seattle currently has Carson, Penny, Travis Homer, DeeJay Dallas, Patrick Carr and Anthony Jones on their roster at running back.
Freeman, 28, is a former fourth-round pick of the Falcons back in 2014. He was in the final year of his four-year, $2.7 million contract when he and the Falcons agreed to a five-year, $41.25 million extension that included $22 million guaranteed.
Freeman stood to make base salaries of $6.5 million and $6.3 million over the next two years of the agreement when the Falcons released him this offseason.
In 2019, Freeman appeared in 14 games and rushed for 656 yards on 184 carries (3.6 YPC) and two touchdowns to go along with 59 receptions for 410 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
Hyde, 29, is a former second-round pick of the 49ers back in 2014. He played out the final year of his four-year, $3.681 million contract before agreeing to a three-year contract worth $15 million with the Browns last year.
The Browns later traded Hyde to the Jaguars midseason for a 2019 fifth-round pick. Hyde was set to make a base salary of $3,250,000 for the 2019 season when the Jaguars released him last May.
Hyde signed on with the Chiefs last offseason but was later traded to the Texans coming out of the preseason.
In 2019, Hyde appeared in all 16 games for the Texans and rushed for 1,070 yards on 245 carries (4.4 YPC) and six touchdowns to go along with 10 receptions for 42 yards. Pro Football Focus rated him as the No. 18 running back out of 58 qualifying players.
We have both players on our Top 100 Available 2020 Free Agents list.
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