Cross extension 'big time' for Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald didn’t specifically confirm the reports, but he spoke freely Monday morning about the four-year contract extension the team and left tackle Charles Cross were reported as agreeing upon Sunday.

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The reported extension for Cross is worth $104.4 million and will keep the 25-year-old offensive lineman in Seattle through the 2030 season. The $26.1 million average value of the extension would make him the third-highest paid left tackle in the league among current contracts.

Macdonald was excited for both his team and Cross.

“You talk about a cornerstone of your program, Charles is one of those guys,” Macdonald said during his weekly conversation with Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “The way this guy works every day and his attitude is rare, very rare.”

The No. 9 overall pick the in the 2022 draft, Cross has started at left tackle for Seattle the past four seasons. He’s made 62 of 68 possible starts during that stretch, including every game of the 2022 and 2024 seasons.

Cross played in Seattle’s first 14 games this season before missing the final three of the regular season with a hamstring injury, but he’s expected to return for the team’s next game in the divisional round of the playoffs. He’s allowed just two sacks this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Macdonald highlighted the consistent effort Cross brings to practice each day, whether it’s full contact or a walk-through.

“When he breaks the huddle and he takes the line, it’s like, that’s what we want from our offense every single time, and he does it in every single walk-through. And trust me, we walk-through a ton,” Macdonald said of the fourth-year pro. “He takes the line every time with the same cadence, same mentality. He’s sweating, like the guy’s just sweating in a walk-through every time, just working his tail off. … It’s that mentality, and (he’s) always positive and (he’s) always trying to make it right, trying to do it the right way, trying to help out his teammate.

“On top of that, he’s incredibly talented player. I mean, it’s big time for our team. Excited for Charles, and he’s really, really earned it and he deserves it. It’s awesome.”

Continuity in the trenches

The offensive line has long been a struggle for the Seahawks, dating back to well before Macdonald took over last season. But the unit has shown some major improvements this year, especially in pass protection where it tied for the fifth-least sacks allowed per game (1.6) and ranked ninth in sack rate on dropbacks (5.31%).

With Cross now locked in through the 2030 season, three-fifths of Seattle’s offensive line (Cross, left guard Grey Zabel and right tackle Abraham Lucas) is signed through at least the 2028 campaign. Center Jalen Sundell and right guard Anthony Bradford are each signed through 2026 as well.

“It’s like, hey, we got some continuity up front, which is going to be awesome,” Macdonald said.

Hear the Mike Macdonald Show at 9:30 a.m. on the first weekday after a Seahawks game. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

Cross extension ‘big time’ for Seattle Seahawks

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