Seahawks released Jarran Reed after he refused to agree to restructure?

Jarran Reed made a somewhat surprising relocation this offseason, leaving the Seahawks and joining the Chiefs. After he hit the market more than a week after free agency’s outset, the veteran defensive tackle will make less money in 2021.

The Seahawks wanted to keep Reed for the 2021 season, with NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reporting the team approached the D-tackle starter about a restructure. While this was not a pay-cut request, Reed refused Seattle’s bid to restructure his contract — thus lowering his cap hit and adding void years to the deal — and made a push for an extension. But the Seahawks balked and released him, leading the five-year veteran to Kansas City.

Reed is set to make $5M on his one-year Chiefs contract. Had he agreed to the Seahawks’ restructure offer, he was due to earn nearly $9M next season. Reed’s agent recommended his client agree to the Seattle restructure, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports, but Garafolo adds that Reed knew he would end up making less with another team and declined to redo his Seahawks deal anyway.

When the Seahawks declined to extend Reed, the former second-round pick asked if they would commit to an extension down the road, per Henderson. The team did made no such pledge, which upset the four-year starter, according to 710 AM Seattle’s John Clayton. The Seahawks attempted to trade Reed but opted to release him soon after.

A Seahawks restructure would have reduced Reed’s base salary to $1M, but he would have collected the rest of the money — from his 2020 deal (two years, $23M) — via signing bonus, Henderson adds. Reed would still have been a free agent in 2022. His Chiefs pact also puts him on track to hit the market again next year.

The Seahawks spent late March reorganizing their defensive line. They re-signed Carlos Dunlap, Benson Mayowa and Poona Ford and added Kerry Hyder. After Reed’s exit, the Seahawks brought back Al Woods for a third stint. Reed will now team with Chris Jones and former teammate Frank Clark with the Chiefs. During Reed and Clark’s previous season together, 2018, Reed recorded a career-best 10.5 sacks. He registered 6.5 last season.