Seahawks Free Agency: Re-signing Damien Lewis Top Priority For O-Line Continuity?

Without any of their three projected starters in the interior offensive line currently under contract, bringing back four-year starter Damien Lewis may seem like a no brainer for the Seattle Seahawks. But can they afford to retain him?

On the heels of a disappointing 9-8 season that ended without a playoff berth and the departure of long-time coach Pete Carroll, the Seattle Seahawks have plenty of roster questions to address heading into a crucial offseason with a new regime in place.

When the new league year opens on March 13, Seattle will have 14 players scheduled to hit the market as unrestricted free agents. Four players will be restricted free agents and five will be exclusive rights free agents, while several other key veterans such as Pro Bowl safety Julian Love will be entering the final season of their respective deals ready to negotiate extensions.

Over the next several weeks, I will break down each and every one of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2023 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, breaking down an ideal contract, and making an early prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2024.

As the longest-tenured starting offensive linemen on the Seahawks roster, will the team make a strong push to keep guard Damien Lewis on a new multi-year deal?

Season in Review

Locked in as the starter at left guard for the third consecutive season, Lewis suited up for 16 of Seattle's 17 games, allowing 29 pressures. Playing over 900 snaps for the third time in four NFL seasons, he received only four penalties and posted a respectable 97.2 percent pass block efficiency rating, remaining rock-solid in the middle for a banged-up offensive line.

Why Seattle Should Re-Sign Him

Set to turn 27 years old in March, Lewis should be in the prime years of his career and he's easily been the Seahawks most consistent offensive linemen since arriving as a third-round pick out of LSU in 2020. Becoming an immediate starter on day one, he has logged over 3,500 snaps, seeing action at both guard spots as well as successfully handling an emergency start as a center in his rookie season. As he has gained experience, he has cut down on penalties significantly, going from 12 as a rookie down to five or less in each of the last three years.

A physical blocker with a bit of a mean streak, the Seattle Seahawks have ran the football better when they have followed Damien Lewis, who will become a free agent on March 13

Along with being versatile and seasoned beyond his years, Lewis has been a quality run blocker throughout his career, as Seattle averaged 5.5 yards per carry running behind him last season and he has finished in the top 18 in PFF's run blocking grade among guards twice. As a pass protector, he has been consistent protecting the quarterback, allowing three or less sacks in each of his four NFL seasons.

Why Seattle Should Let Him Walk

While Lewis has been a dependable starter in four seasons with the Seahawks, he hasn't improved as much as hoped after earning All-PFWA Rookie Team honors. Since then, his play has plateaued, particularly in pass protection where his pass protection efficiency has been under 98 percent in three of his four years in the league. In fact, an argument can be made his protection wasn't quite as good this year, as he gave up 10 more pressures on nearly the same number of pass blocking snaps. He also has had a handful of injuries in his career and missed at least one game as a result each season, creating some long-term questions about his durability.

Ideal Contract

Two years, $18.5 million

Prediction

Due to his youth and extensive starting experience, Lewis could be a top target for a number of line-needy teams when free agency opens next month and depending on how many make an offer, his price tag could vastly exceed what the Seahawks can and are willing to pay. If there's a reason to believe Seattle can still bring him back, however, a quality incoming draft class at the guard position could bring his cost down with other teams choosing to go that route to improve their line rather than overpay for a player who has been a good, but not great starter.

Seahawks Hire Devin Fitzsimmons, Expected to Add 3 Offensive Assistants

Considering the Seahawks have none of their three interior starters under contract from last year and the fact coach Mike Macdonald wants a more physical offense, bringing Lewis back on a new contract may be one of the top goals on the offseason agenda. But his cost will likely have to stay below $10 million per year for it to happen with other pressing needs to address and interest from other teams ultimately will determine whether he returns or not.

Previous Seahawks Free Agency Previews

Leonard Williams