Why did the Seahawks cut Tyler Lockett? Seattle cuts ties with WR after 10 seasons saving $17 million

One of the longest-tenured wide receivers in the NFL will be finding a new home in 2025.

Tyler Lockett was released Wednesday by the Seahawks after 10 seasons with Seattle. The Seahawks announced they’d be parting ways with the veteran receiver after his production has dipped in recent years. Lockett still has the second-most receiving yards in Seahawks history during his 161 games with the Seahawks, behind only Hall of Famer Steve Largent.

I really enjoyed being in Seattle! 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!!!! pic.twitter.com/cywZBDhOVR

— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) March 5, 2025

Lockett's ex-teammate DK Metcalf just requested a trade, so Seattle will be rebuilding its passing game around 2024 Pro Bowler Jaxon Smith-Njigba next season. The veteran receiver’s sudden release will likely surprise many, as he now joins Davante Adams and Christian Kirk, who were also cut by their respective teams, in free agency.

Why did the Seahawks cut Lockett? Here is what to know.

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Why did the Seahawks cut Tyler Lockett?

Lockett’s production had dwindled in the past two seasons as Metcalf and Smith-Njigba overtook him as the top two receivers for Seattle, making him too expensive for a third option. Prior to his release, Lockett had a $30.9 million cap hit for 2025, per Spotrac — that represented $12 million more than in 2024 and the fourth highest among NFL receivers behind Adams, CeeDee Lamb and Metcalf.

The Seahawks and Locket restructured his deal last March, and while the deal decreased his 2024 cap hit by over 50%, it resulted in an even higher cap hit for 2025. By cutting the veteran receiver, Seattle is left with only a $13.9 dead cap hit, saving $17 million.

Seattle has been very active to free up cap space this offseason, restructuring DL Leonard Williams’ contract and cutting four other players, including OLB Dre’Mont Jones, DT Roy Robertson-Harris, S Rayshawn Jenkins and OL George Fant. Those moves saved Seattle roughly $23.5 million in cap space for 2025, getting them under the cap by about $16.4 million. Cutting Lockett means they now have over $33 million in cap space. 

While the Seahawks may be gearing up to sign free agents, these moves are likely to negotiate an extension with QB Geno Smith, which will cut down his 2025 cap hit, while securing their passer for the future.

This doesn’t necessarily spell the end for Lockett in Seattle — the Seahawks could always resign him to a cheaper deal — but Brock Huard, a Seattle reporter and Fox analyst, said it is unlikely he will be back next season. 

“You don’t want your third receiver to be 30-something years old. You want that guy ascending and growing and developing,” said Huard, a former NFL quarterback. “And I think also when you’ve made what he’s made here and produced the way he’s produced here, it’s hard for those guys to just be on a league-minimum kind of deal.”

To a decade of leadership, poise, and authenticity.

Forever grateful, 16. pic.twitter.com/NSVjNaRzZN

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) March 5, 2025

Tyler Lockett contract

Lockett signed a four-year, $69 million extension, with $37 million guaranteed in 2021. The Seahawks and Lockett renegotiated his deal last summer to minimize the 2024 cap hit while increasing it in 2025. This changed the final two years of his deal to have an average salary of $14.8 million with $12.6 guaranteed.

But as Lockett has aged and the other Seattle receivers have developed, Seattle deemed his 2025 cap hit not worth it and opted to save money by cutting ties early.

Before his 2021 extension, Lockett received a three-year, $30.75 million rookie extension with $14.9 million guaranteed. As a third-round pick, his rookie contract was not very lucrative: a four-year deal worth $3.3 million with an average salary of $829,688. 

Now, Lockett will have to compete with a stacked wide receiver free-agent class featuring Adams, Stefon Diggs, Chris Godwin and more for his next deal.

Tyler Lockett stats

Lockett made the Pro Bowl and was selected as First Team All-Pro in 2015, but as a return specialist. That season he averaged 9.5 yards per punt return and 25.8 per kickoff return, with a touchdown each. As Doug Baldwin’s career waned, Lockett filled his shoes, becoming a consistent slot receiver and one of Russell Wilson’s favorite targets.

He truly burst onto the scene in 2018, catching double-digit touchdowns for the first time and nearly 1,000 yards.