Russell Wilson says Seattle Seahawks ‘need to understand’ Duane Brown contract situation

SEATTLE – Russell Wilson has been as blunt as he has ever been earlier this offseason when he pressured the Seattle Seahawks to step up their pass protection. As Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown does not practice as he seeks a new deal, Wilson is once again speaking candidly about the importance of bringing his best offensive lineman back to the field.

In his first comments to Seattle-area reporters since training camp began, Wilson made no attempt to downplay Brown’s continued absence.

“Not having Duane Brown there is a pretty big deal because I think he’s one of the best left tackles in the game, there’s no doubt about it,” Wilson said on Sunday after the Seahawks mock game. at Lumen Field. “I think he’s as good as he can get. There’s no one more athletic, more talented than him. Age is just a number. He looks like he’s 28-30. years old. He’s really exceptional. So smart and physical, understands the game, and I think people fear him, to be honest with you, when they push him around and play against him.

“So we really want to be able to get him back there. We have to understand that because we need Duane Brown.”

Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter earlier this week that Brown was not happy he had yet to receive a new deal. He is in the final year of his current contract, which is expected to earn him up to $ 11.35 million this season. The 14th-year veteran will turn 36 later this month.

The Seahawks have five weeks until their Sept. 12 opener against the Indianapolis Colts, which is more than enough time to close a deal. The problem is, they are trying to extend the safety of Pro Bowl Jamal Adams, whose contract situation is their top priority.

Wilson initially avoided a question asking when Brown’s absence becomes an issue for the quarterback. When in a rush, he said the Seahawks need him for their first game.

“We have to understand that because he’s really special, obviously,” Wilson said. “Like I said, I think he’s one of the best left tackles in the game. I think he has a few more years to go. I think he can definitely do it. I don’t think so. that there is someone more athletic than him. You see what he can do. And he’s also our leader. He’s a guy who really leads the offensive line, and really, he leads the offensive line. and can really set the tone. “

Brown ranked second in ESPN’s pass block win rate as a tackle last season (94%) and is fifth since 2018 (92.7%). He appeared in all 16 games in 2018 and 2020 and missed four with knee and bicep injuries in 2019.

Like Adams, Brown leads what is called a “hold-in”. The two showed up at training camp but are not training in the absence of new contracts. Coach Pete Carroll said last weekend he expected Brown to start training soon, but that has yet to happen. Carroll had no update on Sunday on when he will train.

“Duane and I are doing great,” he said when asked if Brown was upset. “In our conversations about stuff he’s been great. He makes a statement. He makes a statement about what he thinks needs to happen.”

When asked if he thought Brown would miss any games, Carroll replied that he didn’t know, adding, “He won’t be playing in the preseason. He wasn’t going to do that, so it won’t. will not make a difference at this time. “

In addition to missing Brown, the Seahawks were also deprived of their top two substitutes on Sunday. Jamarco Jones (back spasms) and Cedric Ogbuehi (sprained biceps) both left Saturday practice with injuries. Tommy Champion (groin) also didn’t play. That prompted sixth-round rookie pick Stone Forsythe to act as Seattle’s starting left tackle.

Carroll said Jones’ back would need a few days to relax. He didn’t have a timetable for Ogbuehi’s return. They were also without center-forward Ethan Pocic on Sunday after he aggravated the hamstring injury that sidelined him early in camp. Carroll said he might need a few more days to heal.

The Seahawks went through their mock game without any major injuries, according to Carroll. He said they kept running back Rashaad Penny (thigh) and cornerback DJ Reed (groin) as a precaution and called their injuries minor.