The Seahawks are eyeing Amari Cooper and other free agents in June 2025. With $32M to spend, will they build a contender around new QB Sam Darnold?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The fields at the VMAC are quiet for now, but the Seahawks' front office is anything but. Fresh off the conclusion of minicamp, the buzz around Seattle is getting louder, with credible rumors linking the team to several high-profile free agents, most notably five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper.
With approximately $32 million in available cap space, the Seahawks have the financial firepower to make a significant move.
The Seahawks aren't just window shopping. Reports suggest they're seriously targeting former Bills receiver Amari Cooper, whose veteran presence and route-running prowess would be a massive boost for the offense. But the list doesn't stop there. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and guard Brandon Scherff are also reportedly on Seattle's radar. Adding a proven corner like Samuel Jr. would bolster an already strong defense, while Scherff could be the final piece to solidify an offensive line tasked with a crucial job this season.
Any potential addition, especially on the offensive line, points directly to the team's top priority: setting up new quarterback Sam Darnold for success. After a rocky end to 2024, Darnold has been open about focusing on fundamentals like ball security. The onus is also on new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to implement a scheme that reduces the sacks and turnovers that plagued the team last year. With most of last year's starters returning, the hope is that Kubiak's system, perhaps with a new All-Pro guard in the mix, can finally unlock consistent protection.
Before any new faces arrive, the current roster is focused on getting healthy. Running back Kenneth Walker III was limited during minicamp with an ankle issue, but Coach Macdonald expressed confidence he'll be a full-go for training camp. Key defenders like Ernest Jones and Uchenna Nwosu are also on the recovery path. Fans will get their first look at the squad, including recovering rookies Rylie Mills and Tory Horton, when training camp opens to the public in late July. The team just announced nine open practice dates, plus the annual Football Fest at Lumen Field.
Despite the quarterback change and offensive adjustments, the Seahawks are being pegged by many as a dark horse contender in the NFC. The optimism stems from a defense that transformed into a dominant unit in the second half of 2024. If the offense can find its footing under Darnold and Kubiak, and perhaps with a new star receiver, this team has the pieces to make a serious run. Don't expect rookie QB Jalen Milroe to take over the starting job, but his athleticism could be deployed in special packages to keep opposing defenses on their heels.
The next month will be a period of quiet anticipation for players, but for the front office, the work is just beginning. A major signing could dramatically alter the team's ceiling for 2025. As the calendar flips to July, all eyes will be on whether the Seahawks pull the trigger on a big move, setting the stage for one of the most intriguing training camps in recent memory.
