Seahawks Lose Starting Left Guard in Free Agency, Remain Passive on Offensive Line
The Seattle Seahawks have done little to improve their offensive line during free agency when they needed to make moves most.
It’s hard to see how the Seahawks will field a better offensive line in 2025. They missed out on their top free agent target, former Indianapolis Colts guard Will Fries, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings, as the interior offensive line market continues to be quickly picked over.
Now, one of their own players has been poached. Left guard Laken Tomlinson signed a one-year, $4.25 million deal with the Houston Texans on Tuesday. Tomlinson started all 17 games for Seattle last season, playing every snap for the sixth straight year.
Though Tomlinson was durable, he wasn’t a standout starter, and it’s likely the Seahawks didn’t plan to re-sign him. However, it leaves them with one fewer option to address their ongoing holes on the offensive line.
Since the start of free agency, the Seahawks have signed just one offensive lineman: versatile blocker Josh Jones, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens. It’s unlikely Jones will be a starter, as he has never locked down a full-time position in the NFL. Jones has started just 24 games since being drafted in the third round in 2020 and has primarily played right guard and left tackle with the Arizona Cardinals. At 27, Seattle might expand his role, but he’s not the proven veteran in his prime the team was hoping to add.
With options running low, Seattle may now need to target a veteran nearing the end of their career. Guards Kevin Zeitler (35) of the Detroit Lions or Brandon Scherff (33) of the Jacksonville Jaguars are the top remaining choices, though both are past their primes.
Another potential target is Chicago Bears guard Teven Jenkins, 27, though his injury history could be a concern. At this point, it’s unclear if Seattle will improve their offensive line through free agency, which could force them to return to the draft—where they have struggled to select and develop top-tier talent.
Rebuilding the offensive line has taken Seattle longer than expected, partly due to general manager John Schneider’s reluctance to offer premium contracts to free agents.
With several key offensive weapons lost this offseason, Seattle’s chances of improving their offensive line next season seem slim. Now is the time to act, or quarterback Sam Darnold could end up with even worse protection than Geno Smith had during his three seasons in Seattle.
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