The Seattle Seahawks were not one of the teams to use their franchise tag by Tuesday's deadline.
But the action around the league will have an effect on their offseason plans, specifically in relation to left tackle Russell Okung.
The Buffalo Bills placed their franchise tag on left tackle Cordy Glenn. That means there is one fewer player Okung will have to compete with on the open market. Meanwhile, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Oakland Raiders hope to get a deal done with left tackle Donald Penn. If that happens before free agency, teams looking for proven quality left tackles will have one fewer option.
Kelechi Osemele of the Baltimore Ravens has played both guard and tackle. The 26 year old appears to be looking to get paid like a top-level left tackle, according to reports. Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Kelvin Beachum tore his ACL during the season, but is only 26 years old.
There are other options like Ryan Harris of the Denver Broncos and Donald Stephenson of the Kansas City Chiefs. But the players in that tier are not as good or as proven as Okung.
The bottom line is that when free agency hits, Okung could very well be one of the offensive linemen setting the market.
The Seahawks are likely interested in keeping the 28 year old at the right price, but given the other available options at left tackle leaguewide, Okung may find a more attractive offer elsewhere.
"It's very possible that I could stay here," Okung said last week. "But I know my value, and I'm not going to settle for anything less than that. If it works out, great. And if it doesn't, that's great as well."
