The Seattle Seahawks released four players—Dre’Mont Jones, Roy Robertson-Harris, Rayshawn Jenkins, and George Fant—saving approximately $27 million in cap space ahead of free agency. Jones, the most notable cut, was a high-profile signing in 2023 but had underwhelming performance with 8.5 sacks over two seasons. Robertson-Harris and Jenkins, acquired for trades and limited playing time, also contributed to the cap savings. Fant, who played only 30 snaps due to injuries, was let go as well. The Seahawks may release wide receiver Tyler Lockett soon and are discussing contract restructures with linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and quarterback Geno Smith.
SEATTLE — On Tuesday, the Seahawks announced the release of outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones, defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris, safety Rayshawn Jenkins, and offensive tackle George Fant. These anticipated moves are expected to free up approximately $27 million in cap space for the team.
This could just be the beginning of their salary restructuring before free agency, with indications that wide receiver Tyler Lockett may also be released later this week unless there is an unexpected restructuring of his contract.
Of the four players released, Jones stands out as the most notable cut.
Traditionally not heavy spenders in free agency, the Seahawks made a surprising move to sign Jones in March 2023, which ultimately did not deliver the expected results. Although he appeared in every game over two seasons, he totaled only 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss, failing to make the impact anticipated when he was secured as the most expensive free agent signing in franchise history with a three-year, $51.53 million contract.
After playing both defensive tackle and end in 2023, Jones, 28, shed weight to adopt an outside linebacker position in Mike Macdonald’s defense last year. The Seahawks had hoped that Macdonald’s approach to utilizing defenders would unlock Jones’s potential, but he predominantly played on the edge, achieving just 4.0 sacks while grappling with a shoulder injury for a significant part of the season.
Scheduled to earn $16.51 million in 2025, with none of it guaranteed, if Seattle proceeds with a standard release for Jones, it would save the team $11.57 million in cap space, though it would incur a dead cap charge of $14.1 million.
Robertson-Harris, 31, was brought in via a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars last October, with the Seahawks relinquishing a sixth-round pick in 2026 to bolster their defensive line. He contributed zero sacks and one tackle for loss over 11 games, with his playing time significantly reduced in November and December.
With his release, the Seahawks will save the non-guaranteed $6.6 million he was set to earn in 2025, leaving no dead money on the books.
Jenkins signed with the Seahawks last March on a two-year, $12 million deal to pair with Julian Love. However, he missed four games due to a left hand injury and, upon his return, found himself replaced by Coby Bryant, which pushed Jenkins into the No. 3 safety position.
At 31, Jenkins was allowed to seek trades, but no deals came through. He was due a non-guaranteed $5.4 million in 2025, and his release will save Seattle $5.28 million in cap space, with $2.5 million remaining in dead money.
The Seahawks had minimal output from Fant, who played only 30 snaps after signing a two-year, $9.1 million contract last March as a backup tackle due to Abe Lucas’s knee surgery. Fant, 32, injured his knee in the season opener and then re-aggravated the injury upon returning in November, sidelining him for the rest of the year.
Fant was already lined up for a non-guaranteed $3.8 million in 2025. His release will free up that amount on the cap while incurring $1.85 million in dead money.
Prior to Tuesday’s cuts, the Seahawks were about $6.8 million over the spending limit for 2025, as reported by OverTheCap. More changes are expected in advance of free agency next week.
With Lockett seemingly on the way out, the team is also in talks over a restructured deal for Uchenna Nwosu aimed at reducing his $21.17 million cap hit.
Additionally, the Seahawks initiated preliminary discussions with Geno Smith’s agent at the combine regarding a new contract. General manager John Schneider informed reporters in Indianapolis that the goal is to extend the veteran quarterback, which would help reduce his current cap hit of $44.5 million, although the timeline for this extension is uncertain.