Carlos Dunlap found himself in familiar territory earlier this month. The team released him in a cost-cutting move, as they had one year earlier. Another reunion between the two parties is possible, though, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson (Twitter link).
Dunlap, 33, has played 25 total games during his time in Seattle. After more than a decade with the Bengals, he was traded there in October 2020. The Seahawks cut him at the end of the season, but brought him back not long after. The move didn’t come as a surprise, and Dunlap signed a two-year deal. Halfway through that pact, however, he finds himself a free agent once again.
In eight games after the trade, Dunlap totaled five sacks, demonstrating his continued ability to help a teams’ pass rush into the latter stages of his career. Even though he only started two of 17 contests in 2021, he improved on his previous numbers. The former Gator posted 35 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 14 QB hits despite playing only 38% of defensive snaps.
While Henderson reports that another new contract between Dunlap and Seattle “isn’t out of the question,” he is quick to note the schematic changes the team has undergone this offseason. At six-foot-six and 285 pounds, Dunlap profiles better as a 4-3 defensive end than the 3-4 outside linebacker he would need to be in Seattle going forward.
Henderson further states that there is “nothing imminent” regarding a contract for Dunlap, either with the Seahawks or any other team. Despite being let go in two straight seasons, that next deal could still come from Seattle, if both sides are willing and able to agree on yet another new pact.
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