Pete Carroll, John Schneider and the Seattle Seahawks seem to be suffering quite a bit this offseason as a result of their recent run of nearly unparalleled success. You can now reportedly add behemoth safety Kam Chancellor to the list of players - a list that already includes quarterback Russell Wilson, defensive end Michael Bennett, linebacker Bobby Wagner and earlier this offseason, running back Marshawn Lynch - looking for a raise. Chancellor, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, is not satisfied with his current deal and would like to see it addressed soon.
In fact, per Rapoport, Chancellor is considering a holdout in order to ensure that his deal is taken care of in as expedient a manner as possible. Chancellor, 27, signed a four-year $28 million extension with Seattle in 2013. He's currently slated to be paid $4.55 million in the 2015 season and is under contract through 2016.
According to Rapoport, "he wants more."
Chancellor, along with Wagner and cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas, have created a Seattle defense that has been the envy of the NFL for several seasons now. Chancellor, perhaps more than the rest, seems to embody the tough, hard-hitting style of play the Seahawks have become known for. At 6-foot-3, 232-pounds, Chancellor may play strong safety, be operates more like a linebacker out on the field. Still, it's his ability to combine athleticism and coverage skills with devastating hits that have made him such a feared weapon on the Seattle backend.
Just last season, in 14 regular season games, Chancellor amassed 78 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and six passes defensed. While his overall numbers may never jump off the statsheet, it's due in large part to the fact that teams avoid him as much as possible. Chancellor also has a knack for making big plays in the game's and the season's biggest moments.
During the Seahawks run to the Super Bowl last year, Chancellor collected 26 tackles, one interception returned for a touchdown and one pass defensed, despite dealing with an injured left knee.
His importance to the Seattle defense cannot be overstated, so his decision to put the vice on Schneider and Carroll is another frustrating element to an already difficult offseason for the Hawks brass. While Lynch was taken care of and Wagner's new deal seems to be in the offing, Wilson is unlikely to get paid and has seemingly set himself at odds from the franchise. Ditto Bennett.
It remains to be seen what tact Schneider and Co. take with a player in Chancellor who has been so important to their recent run of success.
