The Seattle Seahawks are currently engaged in a protracted contract battle with franchise quarterback Russell Wilson and while Wilson's compensation for next season and each NFL season beyond is, no doubt, vitally important to the success of the NFL's Northwest-based franchise, another Seattle Russell may also be facing an uncertain offseason and, further, something of a crossroads where his NFL and Seahawk career is concerned.
"Russell Okung is locked in for now at left tackle, but the Seahawks seem likely to give second-year man Garry Gilliam for more practice snaps there with the first team as the season goes on," writes Gregg Bell of TheNewsTribune.com. "That's because Okung, who has battled injuries and penalties in recent seasons, is in the final year of his contract that is paying him $4.8 million this season with a salary-cap hit of $7,280,000. Alvin Bailey can also play left tackle."
Seahawks GM John Schneider shipped center Max Unger to the New Orleans Saints in the Jimmy Graham trade and former first-round pick James Carpenter departed via free agency this offseason, meaning changes were already likely in store for the Seattle offensive line coach Tom Cable's unit.
With Okung potentially losing reps to Gilliam and rookie Mark Glowinski looking impressive, those changes could be even more extensive than originally thought.
"At right guard I've been impressed from the first day of rookie minicamp with Mark Glowinski from West Virginia," writes Bell. "Very quick; he is one of Seattle's fastest lineman getting outside on sweeps and screens. But J.R. Sweezy remains the starter - at least for now. Cable's successful convert from college defensive tackle is entering the final season of his contract at a base pay of $1,542,000."
Lemuel Jeanpierre, per Bell, looks likeliest to take over Unger's spot at center, though Drew Nowak saw first-team reps during minicamp in June.
In the end, little seems locked in up front for the Seahawks and Cable at this point.
Seattle training camp is likely to feature some serious battles along the offensive line, as well as behind Marshawn Lynch at running back and between Wilson and the front office.
If Wilson, Lynch, Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll are going to taste victory again - and quite possibly for the last or second-to-last time together - they'll first need to determine the best configuration of blockers up front who, as any football coach worth his salt really knows, are the engine that truly drives an offense.
