Field Gulls
Cole Van Lanen was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers but spent the past three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Seattle Seahawks have an offensive line in need of an upgrade but it’s looking like it won’t be coming through free agency. That doesn’t mean John Schneider is done searching for possible options at guard and/or center.
On his weekly Seattle Sports 710 radio show, the Seahawks general manager revealed that the team hosted Jacksonville Jaguars guard Cole Van Lanen, who is a restricted free agent on an original round tender.
Van Lanen was taken in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers but did not make the active roster. He played a grand total of one snap when elevated from the practice squad for a game against the Baltimore Ravens. When he was signed to a reserve/futures contract in 2022, he was traded to the Jaguars, where he went on to play in 34 games and start three times in 2024.
In his limited playing time, the 26-year-old Van Lanen has played both tackle and guard spots, albeit with only 18 of his snaps coming at guard compared to 300 at the tackle spots.
Because Van Lanen is an RFA and not unrestricted, the process is a little different for signing. If the Seahawks offer Van Lanen a contract, the Jaguars can either match the offer or let him go to Seattle. In return, the Seahawks would give up a sixth-round pick in compensation... but they don’t have a sixth round pick.
Per league rules: “Unless received two days or later prior to the NFL Draft draft compensation for each tender is due in the same League Year as the offer sheet is signed.”
RFA negotiations with other teams end on April 18, so while Van Lanen is not particularly well known and has minimal starting experience, we might as well keep an eye on any developments on this front.
