Seahawks: Rookie Dion Bailey ready to step in for Kam Chancellor

RENTON, Wash. – What might seem like a nightmare scenario for the Seahawks – Kam Chancellor sitting out the season opener while continuing to hold out – is in its own way a dream come true for Dion Bailey.

Chancellor again was absent when the Seahawks hit the field for practice Wednesday at the team facility, leading coach Pete Carroll to say simply, “He’s not here, and he’s not playing (Sunday), so that’s all I can tell you at this point.”

Asked later if there was a point at which Chancellor could show up and still play, Carroll said, “He’s not here right now, so he’s not playing.”

That means Bailey will be the Seahawks’ starting strong safety Sunday at St. Louis.

It’s a spot Bailey has held throughout the preseason with Chancellor holding out. But the preseason is one thing, and the regular season another.

But Bailey said he’s ready, speaking confidently of his abilities and thankful for his opportunity while meeting with the media before practice Wednesday.

“It’s really just a surreal moment,” said Bailey, who went undrafted out of USC in 2014 and did not play last season after suffering an ankle injury in training camp while trying to make the Seahawks’ roster.

“I never really expected to be in this position at this point in my career at the path I have taken. So, I mean, I’ve got to take advantage of it. I’ve really been waiting my whole life for this opportunity, so the last thing I will allow is for me to not be mentally prepared.”

Shortly after Bailey spoke, the NFL Network reported that Chancellor had said in a text message that he doesn’t feel he and the Seahawks are far from reaching a deal.

The league-run network reported that Chancellor specifically wants to have some of the money due to him in 2017 shifted to 2016. Chancellor is due to make $5.1 million in 2016 and $6.8 million in 2017, part of a contract that is typical of many in the NFL that is back-loaded to increase in both base salary and cap number in its final years.

Chancellor’s contract carries cap numbers of $6.1 million and $8.25 million in those years, leading some to speculate that Chancellor might be trying to guard against being released before the final season and missing out on that big payday. It also would give him a raise in 2016 with the knowledge that the Seahawks then might be willing to renegotiate his deal before its final year in 2017.

“He told me he feels like this whole thing could be over by now,” NFL Network reporter Dan Hellie said. “Kam says he’s been willing to meet the Seahawks half way; he says the two sides (are) less than $1 million apart at this point. He actually used the term ‘petty.’ ”

Chancellor, 27, was asked why he was trying to renegotiate now when he has three years left on his contract, according to the NFL Network report, and he replied that he “doesn’t want to wait until he’s almost 30.”

Carroll said he was “disappointed in this very much” that Chancellor’s holdout has reached this point. Missing a game means Chancellor would not get paid this week – a figure of $267,647 based on his $4.55 million base salary for this season. He also is also at risk of having to pay back another $250,000 in bonus money.

“I think everybody should be (disappointed),” Carroll said. “Because he’s been such a great part of our team. It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this and he’s not here.”

Cornerback Richard Sherman also used the word disappointed to describe the feeling of the team about Chancellor’s situation. But Sherman said it won’t affect the locker room, adding, “I think everybody understands his stance.”

Asked if he was surprised it has come to this, Sherman said no: “He’s about his morals, he believes in what he believes and he stands for his beliefs, so that’s what he is doing.”

Meanwhile, the 6-foot, 211-pound Bailey is preparing to fill a particularly big void.

“I’m not 6-4, 240,” Bailey said. “I hope people aren’t expecting me to go out there and be crushing bones and stuff like that.”