Hawks to look at Marshall
It would cost a lot to land receiver
SEATTLE – Brandon Marshall’s hands aren’t a question.
Not after catching more than 100 passes in three successive seasons.
Once Marshall arrives at the Seahawks headquarters today for a free-agent visit, the question will be not whether Seattle wants to hold on to him, but how badly.
Marshall turns 26 this month and he has established himself as a dominant receiver in four seasons with the Broncos. His history also includes multiple arrests and a team suspension.
But Seattle’s desire to acquire Marshall isn’t the only variable in this equation. Marshall is a restricted free agent, which means that if Seattle is to acquire him it must offer him a contract that Marshall finds satisfactory and also give Denver some compensation.
The level of that compensation to Denver is both a question and potential hurdle. The Broncos tendered Marshall at a level that entitles them not only the right to match any offer sheet Marshall signs, but gives them a first-round pick in compensation should they choose not to match it.
So if Seattle were to sign Marshall to an offer sheet, the Broncos would receive the No. 6 overall pick in compensation if they did not match the offer. Seattle also holds the No. 14 pick, but the language of the league’s collective-bargaining agreement dictates that Denver would receive the pick belonging to Seattle and not a pick it acquired in trade.
It’s possible Denver could agree to receive less compensation for allowing Seattle to acquire Marshall, but that would require the Broncos’ agreement.
Seattle certainly has a void at wide receiver, especially after Nate Burleson’s departure in the first hours of free agency. Burleson averaged a team-high 12.9 yards per reception last season and was on pace to set a career-high in catches if he hadn’t missed the final three games because of injury. Burleson, who had 63 catches last year, agreed to a five-year contract with Detroit.
Marshall has a connection to the Seahawks coaching staff. New offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch and tight ends coach Pat McPherson had previously coached in Denver while Marshall was there.
Marshall is scheduled to be in Seattle today. It’s the first step in a much longer process in which the Seahawks must decide not only whether they want to pay him as a top-tier free agent, but how much they will give up for the opportunity.