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Winning the Super Bowl is every team's ultimate goal, but the byproduct of that kind of success is the fact talented players demand more money, so others must be released to open up cap space. That happened with the Ravens and Anquan Boldin in 2012, and now it's happening with the Seahawks.
Reports around the NFL now suggest that Seattle plans to release star defensive lineman Red Bryant in order to open up cap space to resign other players.
This is news for the New England Patriots because they were extremely close to signing Bryant back in 2012 offseason. Two years later, issues still remain at that position for the Patriots, so they should still have interest.
Seahawks' Red Bryant discusses his close call with Patriots - Extra Points
"I had an opportunity to go there; they've got a great history, great tradition, I have the utmost respect for coach Belichick and Tom Brady and Mr. Robert Kraft," Bryant said on Thursday. "My big brother, Ty Warren, he played there and I called him and he gave me a background on what it would be like and the expectations and it would have been a great opportunity. The only thing that kept me was my love for this team and I envisioned us one day making it to a Super Bowl."
Bryant has never made the Pro-Bowl or been named an All-Pro, but that shouldn't take away from any of his accomplishments in his six-year career. The 6-foot-4, 323 pounder is one of the best run-stopping defensive linemen in the NFL, and has the ability to play a number of different positions on the line. He's a prototypical 3-4 defensive end, but can shift to defensive tackle in the 4-3.
He compares himself to Ty Warren -- his "big brother" from Texas A&M -- and rightfully so. Warren made a career in New England because of his versatility and prowess for stuffing the run. The 29-year-old Bryant is one of the best at doing just that, and would fit right in alongside a healthy Vince Wilfork and the blossoming Chandler Jones.
Red Bryant's flexibility is why he would've at least made a visit to New England in 2012, but Seattle made an offer he couldn't refuse. That won't happen this year, and once free agent starts on March 11th, it should only be a matter of time before news is released that Bryant made a visit with Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.