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Brady HendersonESPN
SEATTLE – Seattle Seahawks release defensive veteran Carlos Dunlap, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The move eliminates $ 14.1 million in much-needed capitalization space, but leaves the Seahawks without the best-performing sidekick and twice the Pro Bowl selection. The team is expected to try to sign Dunlap again at a reduced rate once it tests the market.
Dunlap, who turned 32 in February, was scheduled to shell out $ 14.1 million against the ceiling in the final year of his contract, which was no longer guaranteed. This cap tax included a $ 3 million bonus he would have earned if he had remained on the Seattle list until March 21.
The list bonus was added to Dunlap’s contract as part of a restructuring he accepted to facilitate his trade in October last year from the Cincinnati Bengals. Dunlap helped ignite the Seahawks’ stunning run, recording five sacks and 15 QB hits in nine games, including the playoffs. He missed a leg injury in which he played some of his time in Seattle. He had six tackles and four assists with the Seahawks.
OverTheCap.com and Roster Management System listed the Seahawks for less than $ 8 million before Dunlap was released, one of the reasons the move was no surprise.
Dunlap spent the first 10 seasons with Cincinnati, who recruited him in the second round in 2010. His relationship with the team became strained as he became frustrated with his role in defense last season, leading to his move to Seattle in exchange for a pick in the seventh round and offensive linebacker BJ Finney.
Dunlap threw himself openly about the Seahawks after his transaction, saying he feels rejuvenated in his new setting.
“I’d love to stay in Seattle as long as they have me,” he said after the Seahawks lost in the wild card round. “It was very clear what I was coming to do and what my period would be, so now it’s a conversation and I’m open and welcoming for it. You guys already know how grateful I am to be here. I think it’s an excellent organization for veterinarians, although I feel young and fresh as a young player. I feel like I have a lot of ball left and I would like to finish it with an organization like this.
“My two goals are another Super Bowl and 100 sacks and I didn’t achieve any of them. I didn’t win a game in the playoffs. I think we have pedigree here to do all this next season, and I would do like to be part of it. “
Dunlap’s regular season sacks of 87.5 in his career are ranked 12th among active players, according to Pro Football Reference. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and ’16. The Bengals were 0-5 in the playoffs during their time in Cincinnati.
The Seahawks recorded just nine sacks in six games before their exchange for Dunlap, coinciding with the return of Jamal Adams’ strong safety from a groin injury. Despite playing just eight games in the regular season, Dunlap was fourth in the sack team behind Adams (9.5), defensive forward Jarran Reed (6.5) and defensive Benson Mayowa (six).
Defensive heads who remain under contract with Seattle are LJ Collier (three sacks in 2020), Rasheem Green (two), Alton Robinson (four) and Darrell Taylor, a second-round pick last year who did not play as a rookie due to injury at the foot of the college.
Dunlap joins Mayowa, Bruce Irvin, Damontre Moore and Jonathan Bullard as free agents. Branden Jackson is also a free agent, but is not expected to play again due to a neck injury.