Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin enjoyed a breakout campaign in2015. The 27-year-old set career highs across the board, catching 78 passes for 1,069 yards and tying the league lead in touchdown receptions with 14. As he heads into the final year of his deal with Seattle, Baldwin is in a great position for a new contract.
The Seahawks, based on recent history, are open to extending core players when they reach the final year of their deals. The team did it with Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Bobby Wagner and, of course, Russell Wilson. Baldwin would seem to be the next man up, but he revealed in a recent interview that he has yet to begin contract negotiations with the team.
"No we haven't had any talks," Baldwin said. "And to be completely honest with you I'm not too concerned with it. I'm enjoying my time right now with my training and my fiancée. I'm anxious to get back out there with my teammates.
"To be completely honest with you, I'm not really worried about it. I'm having fun playing football. I'm enjoying my time, I'm enjoying my life right now. So whatever happens, I'm going to leave it up to God and he'll direct me in whatever direction I need to go."
Baldwin's 14 touchdown catches last season marked a franchise record and one of the most productive seasons for a Seattle wide receiver in recent memory. In fact, he's just the third receiver in Seahawks history to post 1,000 yards and double digit scores in a single season, joining Steve Largent and Joey Galloway. Over a five-game stretch late in the season, Baldwin exploded for 484 yards and 11 touchdowns.
But Seattle is right to be patient when it comes to a new contract for Baldwin. Before the 2015 season, the former undrafted free agent had posted solid numbers, but nothing approaching last year's totals. In 2014, Baldwin caught 66 passes for 825 yards and three touchdowns. The question Seattle must be asking themselves is if he can repeat his success from last year.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll noted earlier this offseason that the team's primary focus will be on free agency and the draft before moving on to possible extensions for players such as Baldwin and Michael Bennett.
Baldwin is set to make just north of $4 million in 2016.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
