Seahawks Release WR with Long Ties to Steelers QB
The Seattle Seahawks have released veteran wide receiver and potential Pittsburgh Steelers free agent target Tyler Lockett, he announced on social media on Wednesday.
Lockett, 32, has spent his entire 10-year career in Seattle, racking up 8,594 yards and 399 touchdowns. He was named to three All-Pro teams and one Pro Bowl and also led the NFL in kickoff return yards in 2017.
“I really enjoyed being in Seattle!” Lockett wrote on X. “I met so many great people and captured so many great memories! The 12’s really make this place meaningful! Although, my time on the Seahawks may have run its course I’m thankful for everything!! God gets all the glory forever!!!!”
The move had been expected with Seattle set to reap a significant salary cap benefit. Additionally, Lockett’s role in the Seattle offense has declined with the emergence of younger stars DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, leaving him with just 74 targets in 2024 after being thrown to at least 100 times in the previous six consecutive seasons.
The release of Lockett will save the Seahawks $17 million against their 2025 salary cap obligations. He will become a street free agent and can immediately contact other teams.
Lockett now joins a group of slot receivers on the open market that includes Amari Cooper of the Buffalo Bills and Keenan Allen of the Chicago Bears. Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams is also expected to be traded or released.
The Steelers have a desperate need at wide receiver, where only George Pickens and Calvin Austin III are set to return from last year’s rotation, along with Roman Wilson, who missed almost all of his rookie season with injuries. Pickens is entering the final season of his rookie contract and has an uncertain future with the team.
So the Steelers will likely look to load up at wide receiver this offseason between free agency, trades and the 2025 NFL Draft. But it’s unclear how much they would value a slot option like Lockett. He’s more of a possession receiver at this point in his career than a home-run hitter like Austin, but there is a lot of duplication in the skillsets of him and Roman Wilson.
The 5-foot-10, 182-pound Lockett did play more of his snaps as an outside receiver in 2024 than he has at any previous point in his career, at 70.8%, so he can play on the outside. But there may be better complements to Pickens, Austin and Wilson.
The one reason the Steelers might really want Lockett is if they end up bringing Russell Wilson back at quarterback. Wilson and Lockett spent seven years together in Seattle from 2015-21.
“Best Toe Tapper in the World!” Wilson wrote on X after Lockett’s release. “Love you TLock!”