The Seattle linebacking corps will look completely different on the within in 2024. With the departures of Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, and Devin Bush in free agency and the discharge of Nick Bellore, the one returning inside linebackers in 2024 are Jon Rhattigan and Drake Thomas, who combined for 26 defensive snaps last season. After bringing in Tyrel Dodson to fill a few of these holes this week, the Seahawks secured one other experienced starter in former Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Funny enough, Brooks and Baker will swap jobs in 2024. The Dolphins released Baker after the 2 sides failed to succeed in an agreement on a restructured contract that might lower Baker’s salary cap impact. Miami quickly moved to exchange the veteran, signing Brooks to a three-year, $30MM deal. Now, Baker heads to the alternative corner of the country to fill the role that Brooks left vacant in Seattle on a one-year, $7MM contract.
Baker’s release wasn’t necessarily a results of any lack of on-field production. While missing 4 games did keep Baker from reaching the 100-tackle mark for under the second time within the last five years and he didn’t have quite the identical impact on the team’s pass rush as he has previously, he showed a powerful improvement in coverage, nabbing two interceptions and three passes defensed. Teaming Baker up with Dodson, who excelled because the top-graded linebacker within the league in 2023, in response to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Seattle will probably be home of considered one of the league’s top pass-defending duos at linebacker.
Baker is coming off wrist surgery that placed him on injured reserve for 4 weeks near the top of the regular season. He was capable of return from IR in time for the Dolphins’ regular season finale, but Baker reinjured his wrist in that game and sat out of the playoffs. The offseason should give him loads of time to get better, allowing him to potentially start alongside Dodson in 2024 at full strength.
