Key free agents: DE Michael Bennett, WR Golden Tate, K Steven Hauschka, DT Clinton McDonald, OT Breno Giacomini, QB Tarvaris Jackson.
Where they stand: The Seahawks have made it a top priority to try to re-sign Bennett, who was the team's best defensive lineman last season and a key component on their path to a Super Bowl win. They also hope to keep Golden Tate. Seattle released defensive end Red Bryant and wide receiver Sidney Rice, freeing up $13 million in cap space, to try to keep Bennett and Tate. It was a slight surprise the team didn't put the franchise tag on Hauschka, since it would have cost them only $3 million.
What to expect: Look for the Seahawks to make an all-out effort to keep Bennett, who made $4.8 million in 2013. It probably will take a multiyear deal at over $7 million a season to bring him back. Unless Hauschka receives an extraordinary multiyear offer elsewhere, he is likely to return. Tate is a little more of a wild card. He probably is looking for a deal similar to what receiver Riley Cooper received in Philadelphia ($25 million over five years). That may be more years than the Seahawks are willing to go. Seattle wants to keep McDonald, who had a breakout season in 2013, and should be able to keep him since he made only $560,000 last year. The team wants to keep Jackson as the backup quarterback because he knows the system, has the respect of the players and works well behind Russell Wilson. Giacomini probably is gone if he gets a quality offer.