The Seattle Seahawks have a half-dozen starters from their talented 2022 NFL Draft class who are eligible for contract extensions as they enter the final year of their rookie deals.

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At the top of that list is left tackle Charles Cross, who took another step forward last season and emerged as one of the better blind-side tackles in the league. The former No. 9 overall pick tied for ninth out of 81 tackles in Pro Football Focus grading, including 13th in pass block grading and 16th in run block grading. He also received high marks from ESPN, ranking 16th among tackles in pass block win rate.

The Seahawks already picked up the fifth-year option on Cross’ rookie deal in April, which would keep him in Seattle through the 2026 season. He’s slated to make a fully guaranteed $17.56 million that year, according to Over the Cap.

But as for an extension? According to CBS Sports writer and former NFL agent Joel Corry, there’s not much incentive for Cross to pursue that right now. From Corry’s perspective, Cross would be better-served waiting until next offseason to cash in on a rising offensive tackle market.

“I wouldn’t advise him to do a deal right now, because his best contract will probably come in the option year,” Corry told Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy last week. “I look at him as an ascending player. I would be looking for other developments to occur for offensive tackles.”

According to Over the Cap, six offensive tackles are currently averaging at least $25 million per year: Buccaneers right tackle Tristan Wirfs ($28.12 million), Lions right tackle Penei Sewell ($28 million), 49ers left tackle Trent Williams ($27.55 million), Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw ($26 million), Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil ($25 million) and Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson ($25 million).

Corry thinks Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater – a 2021 first-round pick who’s on the final season of his rookie deal after Los Angeles picked up his fifth-year option in May 2024 – will break the $30 million-per-year barrier.

“I expect Rashawn Slater to become the first $30 million per year offensive lineman at some point before the regular season starts,” Corry said. “Then next year, I’m assuming Laremy Tunsil is gonna keep doing what he always does. He’ll be in a contract year and he’ll reset the market as well. So there is no incentive for Charles Cross to go right now.”

What Cross said last month

Last month, when speaking to the media for the first time since his fifth-year option was exercised, Cross was asked whether he plans on having extension talks with the Seahawks this summer. Cross said he was just focused on football.

“I’m just worried about right now and that’s it,” Cross said. “We’ll get to that when the time comes.”

But a few moments later, Cross emphasized that he’d ultimately like to remain in the Pacific Northwest long-term.

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but Seattle,” Cross said. “I love the fans here. I love the team. It’s one of the greatest organizations in the NFL. I like it here a lot.”

Listen to the full conversation with Joel Corry at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Tune in to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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