When the Seattle Seahawks report for training camp on Thursday, one of their key defensive players might not show.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that safety Kam Chancellor wants more money and has told Seattle that he's strongly considering a camp holdout to make it happen, according to two sources informed of the situation.
Chancellor signed a four-year extension worth $28 million in 2013. He is signed through 2017 and is scheduled to make $4.55 million in 2015.
The three-time Pro Bowl safety is the latest Seahawks player with his hand out, requesting a raise. Defensive lineman Michael Bennett has been on record wanting increased pay. Running back Marshawn Lynch went through a contract ordeal the past year and agreed to a new deal earlier this offseason.
Rapoport added that Bennett is mulling his options, but is a better candidate to show up for camp.
Though a Chancellor holdout could potentially hurt the Seattle defense, Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin has his teammate's back:
Chancellor is a vital defensive cog in the Seahawks' secondary. With Earl Thomas battling injury, Chancellor might view a holdout as the opportune time to squeeze out a few more dollars. But with a deal for linebacker Bobby Wagner in the works and a massive payday for quarterback Russell Wilson on the horizon, the hard-hitting safety could be left with his outstretched hand left empty.
The Seahawks' fiscal situation is another reminder that in the NFL it's hard to keep great teams together. Everyone wants to get paid.
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