Although the case can be made that the Seahawks added the player this offseason who is primed to make the biggest difference for his new team in 2015 -- tight end Jimmy Graham -- Seattle's most important transaction has not yet (but could soon) come: inking quarterback Russell Wilson to an extension.
Wilson is a free agent-to-be after this season, but it's clear there's mutual interest in getting a deal done. It would represent a move that not only ensures Seattle remains competitive right now, but also for the length of whatever deal he signs. It will also have a major impact on the other moves the Seahawks can make going forward. Wilson isn't the only player in Seattle soon in need of a new deal, and that's one of the realities of success in football: Players ascend in terms of performance and can command money commensurate with that performance when they approach free agency.
With Wilson and other Seahawks in mind, below is a look at one key roster decision every NFL team soon faces.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Manuel's leash: If EJ Manuel -- the team's first-round pick in 2013 -- doesn't emerge as the clear-cut starter entering this season, would it behoove Buffalo to trade him to a team looking for a reserve-level signal-caller? With Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor added this offseason, the team would be insulated at quarterback if such a scenario took place. Manuel has struggled in two NFL seasons, failing to put a vice grip on the starting job that was seemingly set up for him to control.
Miami Dolphins
2016 cap questions start with Suh: No team has more money committed to its 2016 salary cap than the Dolphins, who have already tallied up to roughly $160 million for next season. That excludes a contract for defensive end Olivier Vernon, a rising star on their defense. The likely scenario is reworking the deal for defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh that calls for a base salary of $23.485 million by turning it into a signing bonus (which would spread out his cap hit that is currently set for $28.6 million). But the team can't set itself up for a cycle of kicking the can on onerous contracts for short-term relief that eventually results in long-term woes.
New England Patriots
Taking care of their own: The Patriots had an exodus of talent this offseason, but the team's track record of replacing players is well known. Part of the reason New England saved cap space was to preserve funds for extensions for players on its current roster. Left tackle Nate Solder, linebacker Dont'a Hightower and defensive end Chandler Jones are eligible for -- and worthy of -- long-terms pacts.
New York Jets
A decision on Wilkerson: The Jets have spent voraciously this offseason, inking free-agent deals for cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine, among others, while also trading for (and subsequently giving a raise to) wide receiver Brandon Marshall. But Wilkerson -- the best young player on the roster -- is a free agent after this season. New York must find a way to lock him up.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Flacco restructure? While quarterback Joe Flacco has a base salary of $18 million for 2016, his cap hit is scheduled to be $28.55 million and will rise to $31.15 million the year after. Even with a projected rising cap, that's simply too steep of a cap hit for one player for any team to absorb. Extending Flacco, who turned 30 this offseason, is one way to accomplish lowering his cap hit in the coming years.
Cincinnati Bengals
Extension for A.J. Green: The Bengals' top 10 cap hits for both 2015 and 2016 are currently players who entered the league with the Bengals. That's noteworthy because it's a testament to the team's draft-and-develop philosophy. But Green is under contract only through 2015 as things currently stand, and he's their most talented offensive player. The team must make sure Green is the next homegrown star to get a long-term deal.
Cleveland Browns
Center of attention: This one is out of the Browns' control in some ways, as center Alex Mack -- who missed much of 2014 due to a broken leg -- has an opt-out clause following this season. If Mack exercises that clause and looks to play elsewhere, the Browns might already have their in-house replacement in 2015 first-round pick Cam Erving. If they believe Erving is best-suited elsewhere on the line, they'll need to find a replacement quickly. A stable offensive line is critical to a team still sorting through its long-term quarterback plan.
Pittsburgh Steelers
More bucks for Brown? Star wide receiver Antonio Brown will make just shy of $23 million over the next three years, a significant discount for the most consistent pass-catcher in the league. And although Brown denied reported interest in looking for a new deal, it is still a situation worth monitoring. Brown is a worthwhile re-investment, as he led the NFL in catches and yards in 2014 yet ranks 11th among wide receivers in base salary for 2015. Pittsburgh has traditionally avoided new deals for players prior to the final year of their contracts, but Brown might force them to make an exception.
AFC South
Houston Texans
Charting the QB course: The Texans re-signed Ryan Mallett and inked free-agent quarterback Brian Hoyer this offseason, leaving them with a true competition for the starting job. But beyond settling on one of these two for 2015, coach Bill O'Brien must decipher whether either can be a viable long-term option or if Houston must continue to seek reinforcements at the position. Tom Savage, a 2014 draft choice, is a developmental option.
Indianapolis Colts
The future of Grigson and Pagano: Yes, quarterback Andrew Luck will eventually need a new contract (he's currently under team control through 2016), but it's a matter of when -- not if -- that deal gets done. Head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson enter the final year of their respective contracts in 2015, and the question is just how well do the Colts have to perform in 2015 to ensure the team architects stick around long term?
Jacksonville Jaguars
Roster development and health: General manager Dave Caldwell has used his first three first-round picks on positions that are pillars of a successful NFL roster: a left tackle (Luke Joeckel), quarterback (Blake Bortles) and pass-rusher (Dante Fowler, Jr.). The team doesn't carry many onerous contracts, and the franchise's fortunes will be dictated by Bortles' (and other young players') development and the health of key cogs. (Fowler and defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks are now both healing from ACL tears.)
Tennessee Titans
Building the offense: Although coach Ken Whisenhunt has long preferred big-bodied dropback passers, the Titans wisely picked Marcus Mariota with their top choice in this year's draft. The challenge -- separate from developing the reigning Heisman winner -- is orchestrating a cast of offensive players around him suitable to run the offense that highlights his strengths. Oregon's approach revolved around an abundance of speed at the skill group, with athleticism peppered all over the offense.
AFC West
Denver Broncos
Peyton succession plan? Quarterback Peyton Manning contemplated retirement this offseason before ultimately deciding to return for 2015. His contract runs through the 2016 season, but there are currently no assurances he'll play past 2015. Denver must decide if Brock Osweiler, a 2012 second-round pick, is the heir apparent for Manning. If so, he'll need a new contract after the 2015 season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Locking up Houston long term: Outside linebacker Justin Houston is firmly entrenched as one of the game's best young players, and the Chiefs recognized as much in using the franchise tag on him this offseason. Houston -- seeking a lucrative long-term deal -- has not yet signed his tender. In a league in which the value of pass-rushers is no mystery, the Chiefs know having Houston around for a long time is a priority.
Oakland Raiders
Who's calling the personnel shots? Speculation surfaced at the end of last season as to whether or not general manager Reggie McKenzie would be retained after three years at the helm. Bright spots during McKenzie's tenure include drafting outside linebacker Khalil Mack and quarterback Derek Carr in 2014, but his free-agent class (which included running back Maurice-Jones Drew and outside linebacker Lamar Woodley) yielded little productivity. The Raiders tried to be major players in free agency this offseason but didn't land any of the most coveted prizes available. If Oakland struggles again this season, could a GM change follow?
San Diego Chargers
Rivers extension: The offseason saga surrounding Philip Rivers was rooted in the fact that his current contract runs through 2015. In a league with teams thirsty for quarterbacks, the Chargers must resolve the Rivers issue. The team has made it a priority to bring him back and must be willing to pay big to do so. Ben Roethlisberger -- who, like Rivers, is 33 -- recently signed an extension that averages just a tick below $20 million per season. That's the ballpark for Rivers.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Dez Bryant extension: The Cowboys have secured top talent at critical positions (quarterback and left tackle included) for the long haul, but next up is the best young player on their roster: Bryant. There has been an extensive and continuous dialogue about a new deal for the receiver, but until ink goes to paper, this will be a point of focus. Bryant has not yet signed his franchise tag tender, which would pay him north of $13 million this season.
New York Giants
Eli's new deal: Eli Manning is yet another member of the 2004 draft class, and -- like Rivers -- he, too, needs a deal following this season. Manning has publicly acknowledged that there have not yet been discussions between the two sides, but there also doesn't feel like a lot of reason to be worried about a deal eventually getting done. Manning wants to stay in New York, and the G-Men want him to stick around.
Philadelphia Eagles
Make a decision on Bradford: The Eagles traded for Sam Bradford this offseason with the presumptive next step being him stepping in as the starter under center (once he is healthy from a torn ACL suffered last preseason). But 2015 -- the final year of his current deal -- serves as an evaluation period for his candidacy as a viable long-term solution.
Washington Redskins
What's next for RG III? Washington has not yet settled on a starter for 2015, but the team did exercise the fifth-year option on Robert Griffin III for 2016. That entitles him to a $16.155 million salary for that season, though it doesn't become guaranteed until the first day of the 2016 league year (right now it is guaranteed only for injury). If RG III starts and performs well this year, the decision to keep him at that price tag is easy.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Cutler's reign: The Bears have committed to Jay Cutler as their starter for the 2015 season, and he's under team control through 2020 following the extension he signed at the outset of 2014. Currently, $10 million of his $16 million salary in 2016 is guaranteed, and while that would result in a dead-money cap hit if he is cut, the Bears must ultimately evaluate if he is a worthwhile long-term starter or rather to cut bait and start fresh at the position.
Detroit Lions
Cap management with Megatron? Calvin Johnson has been one of the best players in the franchise's history and has every desirable trait in a roster building block. But he also has a cap hit for 2016 that is more than $8 million greater than any other wide receiver in the NFL right now. With Johnson ($24.008M) and quarterback Matthew Stafford ($22.5M) accounting for what could well be 30 percent of the salary cap in 2016, it's fair to wonder if the Lions will aim to tweak Megatron's deal to lower his cap number (which can be accomplished by converting base salaries into a signing bonus). Extending linebacker DeAndre Levy is also crucial.
Green Bay Packers
Sort through inside linebacker spot: The Packers have the luxury of Clay Matthews being flexible and versatile enough to play inside linebacker on an as-needed basis, something he did last season and has done some during OTAs this year. The team drafted Jake Ryan out of Michigan this year, and if he can play a starting role, the inside linebacker spot is in reasonable shape. The bottom line is Matthews is at his best playing on the edge as a rusher, so shoring up the inside somehow is key.
Minnesota Vikings
Decision on Kalil: No, not a decision on Adrian Peterson, as the team has made its stance clear (he's under contract for three more years). Kalil had the 2016 fifth-year option exercised recently, but after enduring struggles in 2014, he must be quite a bit better in 2015 to be worth the eight-figure price tag for 2016. The team drafted Pitt's T.J. Clemmings in the fourth round. An injury dropped his stock, but he could be a developmental left tackle prospect.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Julio's new deal: Much like the Bengals with A.J. Green, the Falcons have a wide receiver awaiting a monster new contract. Julio Jones has been a star since being drafted in 2011 who has been slowed down only by injury. His football ability is matched by his football character. Getting a long-term pact agreed to is the next logical step.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback of the defense: The Panthers recently signed quarterback Cam Newton to a five-year extension through 2020, and now it's time to start thinking about the quarterback of their defense, linebacker Luke Kuechly. Kuechly remains under team control for another two seasons, but he's clearly established himself as the leader of Carolina's defense and is among the most productive players at his position in the league. A foundation of Newton and Kuechly in Carolina going forward is an enviable duo to build around.
New Orleans Saints
Evaluating Brees' longevity: Quarterback Drew Brees is under contract through 2016, accounting for a cap hit of $53.8 million combined over that stretch. The question becomes if he intends to -- and the Saints believe he can -- play beyond the life of this deal. If so, finding a way to lower his $27.4 million cap hit in 2016 (accomplished through an extension) would create roster flexibility. If not, all eyes turn toward Garrett Grayson, a 2015 third-round pick, as a possible replacement.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Find a pass rush: The Bucs have their quarterback of the future in Jameis Winston, and the offensive line was addressed in the draft, too. But coach Lovie Smith's Tampa 2 defense is predicated in part upon a pair of upfield edge rushers. Right now, those parts are missing in Tampa Bay. The current depth chart is led by Jacquies Smith and George Johnson.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Will Washington return? Linebacker Daryl Washington is an undeniable talent who earned a six-year contract back in 2012. But since that time he has been suspended on multiple occasions, including for all of last season, and faces further punishment for a domestic dispute arrest. When he is eventually reinstated, the Cardinals must decide if it's worth attempting to reinsert him into the roster fold.
San Francisco 49ers:
What's the direction? After stumbling to 8-8 following three consecutive trips to the NFC Championship Game, San Francisco has experienced a tumultuous offseason. Thinking big picture here, 2015 will be a litmus test for the 49ers. Can the team replace a number of departed veterans (including multiple defensive leaders) and stay in the mix in the NFC West? Or will the regression continue and result in San Francisco feeling like it has to press reset and rebuild what was recently one of the league's best rosters?
Seattle Seahawks
Contract decisions aplenty: We alluded to Seattle's test at the top of the column: continuing to try to sign the ascending players to new deals. Besides Wilson, linebacker Bobby Wagner is a premium player for his position, defensive end Michael Bennett is in search of a new deal and linebacker Bruce Irvin is set to be a free agent after this season. Deciding who -- and how much -- to pay is the task for GM John Schneider, arguably the best in the business.
St. Louis Rams
Is Foles the future? I recently wrote about the Rams' dynamic nucleus of young talent, specifically focusing on their defensive front seven. There are several players who will eventually need to be paid big money on extensions, but the pressing issue is finding out if Nick Foles is a one-year stopgap at quarterback or a sustainable entity under center.
Notes
• Paying for a pass rush: Few positions are as valued in the NFL as pass-rushers, and the Saints proved that once again this week in locking up defensive end Cameron Jordan to a deal that valued at $55 million over five seasons. It's a handsome raise for the former first-round pick who has 20 sacks over the past two seasons, and it means the Saints are now one of three NFL teams with a pair of pass-rushers on their roster who each have a contract north of $40 million, as outside linebacker Junior Galette signed a lucrative extension just before the 2014 regular season. The Bills, with Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes, and the Rams, with Chris Long and Robert Quinn, are the other two teams that have made long-term investments in their edge rushers that top out over $40 million apiece.
• Low-profile comebacks: We've spent a lot of time this offseason focusing on the returns of injured starters around the NFL, including the likes of Sam Bradford, Victor Cruz, NaVorro Bowman and others -- and with good reason. But there are some other names to keep on the radar that are lower profile but could be pivotal contributors. Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (foot) averaged nine targets per game over the final eight games before his injury last season, while Falcons running back Antone Smith had five touchdowns on just 36 touches before going down with a broken leg. The Bengals' offense will return two key players, as Tyler Eifert is primed for a starting tight end role coming off of an elbow injury and wideout Marvin Jones brings depth to a receiving corps alongside A.J. Green after missing 2014 due to a foot issue.