The Seattle Seahawks received an immediate impact from rookie safety Nick Emmanwori last season. The versatile do-it-all defender was imperative to the Seahawks’ dominant defensive efforts. Emmanwori was legitimately a big reason why Seattle won Super Bowl 60.
Emmanwori is locked into an affordable four-year rookie contract. This offseason, the Seahawks let starting safety Coby Bryant walk in unrestricted free agency. John Schneider responded to Bryant’s departure by spending a second-round pick on a safety for a second consecutive draft, selecting Bud Clark at No. 64 overall.
Take a look around the rising market and you’ll understand why. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with safety Derwin James Jr. on a massive three-year extension worth $75.6 million. James becomes the highest-paid safety for the second time in his career, and he’s the first player at his position in NFL history to sign a contract averaging more than $25 million per year.
Bryant’s deal in free agency with the Chicago Bears was for three years and $40 million. Instead of paying Bryant roughly $13.3 million per campaign, the Seahawks believe drafting Clark will help replace him for a literal fraction of the cost. While NFL teams are starting to pay safeties $25 million per year, the Seahawks will have Emmanwori and Clark on team-friendly rookie contracts through 2028 and 2029.
The #Chargers and Derwin James have agreed to terms on a massive new extension to make him the NFL’s new highest-paid safety for the second time in his career, sources say.
James gets a 3-year, $75.6M deal. Negotiated by @DavidMulugheta of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/M7C5gdBAzq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 26, 2026
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Rising market highlights why Seahawks keep drafting safeties