NFL
The Seattle Seahawks made a move to solve their backup quarterback problem. The team acquired Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Brett Hundley in exchange for a 6th round pick. This move adds a veteran to help solidify a QB room where there were no good options behind Russell Wilson. This means that career backup Austin Davis and Alex McGough will not make the final roster.
For the Packers, this means that DeShone Kizer will head into the season as the number two option behind Aaron Rodgers. Kizer was a member of the Browns last season until a trade sent him to the Packers. Hundley projects as a good backup option in case of a Russell Wilson injury.
This was not the only move the Seahawks made today. They also locked in one of their key offensive targets in WR Tyler Lockett. The Seahawks and Lockett agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $37.8 million with $20 million guaranteed.
Lockett will head into the season as the number two receiver behind Doug Baldwin. Lockett projects as a breakout candidate this year as Paul Richardson and Jimmy Graham both left the team in the offseason. This leaves a large amount of targets up for grabs.
#Seahawks are extending WR Tyler Lockett: three years with a base value of $31.8 million, max value of $37.8 million and $20 million guaranteed, source says. Another deal the team wanted to get done before the season.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 29, 2018
What These Moves Mean For Seattle
The Seahawks will also need to extend Brett Hundley as he will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. This may have been part of the reason that the Packers were willing to deal their backup. The Seahawks did not give up much in a 6th round pick, and this will guarantee that there are options beyond Russell Wilson.
The Lockett deal means that Seattle has locked in many key offensive weapons. Russell Wilson is locked in for the next three years and Doug Baldwin is under contract for the next three as well. Other lesser players such as tackle Duane Brown agreed to an extension this offseason. With all these players signed long-term the team will look to rebuild their defense and O-line.
Packers are trading QB Brett Hundley to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2019 draft pick, per @RobDemovsky and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2018
Hundley And Lockett’s Profiles
Hundley played three years at UCLA. He was the starting QB all three years he was there. During his freshman year Hundley broke out in a big way passing for 3,740 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also ran for 355 yards and another nine touchdowns.
He regressed slightly in his sophomore year but still passed for 3,071 yards and 24 touchdowns. Hundley rushed for 748 yards and 11 touchdowns. In his third and final year of college, Hundley threw for 3,155 yards and 22 touchdowns, adding 644 yards and ten touchdowns. He was drafted in the 5th round by the Packers in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Hundley had never started a game until last season when Aaron Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone. Hundley started 11 games last season and threw for 1,836 yards, nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also ran for 270 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Lockett was a wide receiver at Kansas State for four years.
In his Junior year, Lockett caught 81 passes for 1,262 yards and 11 touchdowns. He improved even more in his Senior year catching 106 passes for 1,515 yards and another 11 touchdowns. Lockett declared for the NFL Draft after his senior season and was picked in the 3rd round by the Seahawks.
Lockett broke onto the scene in his rookie year as an All-Pro kick returner. He was a second-team All-Pro returner in his second season. Lockett has been looking for that breakout year outside of special teams, and many think that could come this year.
