The NFL Combine serves as the unofficial start of the offseason as decision-makers from around the league meet in Indianapolis. For one former member of the LA Chargers, this unofficial start may be a bad thing.
Per FOX's Jordan Schultz, the Seattle Seahawks have officially granted former Chargers safety Rayshawn Jenkins permission to seek a trade this offseason. This may seem like a positive development for the former Chargers' draft pick, but in reality, it is just dressing up bad news.
It is hard to imagine there being much of a trade market for Jenkins, considering he had a mediocre season and is now on the wrong side of 30. This is simply the Seahawks showing Jenkins the door now before he meets his likely fate.
Seahawks make it obvious they are cutting former Chargers safety Rayshawn Jenkins
Jenkins finding a trade suitor would be the best-case scenario for him as it would allow him to make the same amount on his contract with a new team. However, it is unlikely a team will trade any draft capital for someone who will be cut if nobody trades for him, anyway.
The Seahawks will save over $5 million in cap space by trading for cutting Jenkins this offseason. Seattle is currently $6.8 million over the 2025 salary cap, which is why Jenkins is on the chopping block to begin with.
Seattle is simply giving Jenkins the chance to find a trade suitor to do right by him. But as we see pretty much every offseason, players don't tend to find trade suitors when their current team is openly showing them the door.
May I remind you of Austin Ekeler? The Chargers allowed him to seek out a trade and that went nowehere.
With the recent re-signing of Elijah Molden, a Jenkins reunion in Los Angeles is unlikely. The Bolts have their three safeties with Molden, Alohi Gilman and Derwin James. Depth is important but the Chargers do not offer Jenkins the playing-time opportunity he likely desires.
The San Francisco 49ers make the most sense for Jenkins. Former Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is an assistant on Kyle Shanahan's staff and the second safety position next to Talanoa
Hufanga is up for grabs.
Will the 49ers do the Seahawks a favor and trade a late-round pick for Jenkins? Absolutely not. But don't be surprised if another former Charger heads to the Bay Area after Jenkins is eventually released by Seattle.