In the midst of a “hold in,” Seahawks star linebacker Bobby Wagner reported for the team’s offseason program but did not actively participate in drill work as he pursues a new contract.

While one of the premier linebackers in the NFL will most certainly get his deal before everything is said and done, Wagner isn’t the only high-profile Seahawk entering the final year of his contract seeking a lucrative extension, as general manager John Schneider and the front office must also negotiate a deal for defensive tackle Jarran Reed.

Reed, 26, emerged as a star during his third season with Seattle, overwhelming blockers with a blend of powerful bull rushes and improved counter moves to hunt down opposing quarterbacks to a tune of 10.5 sacks. In addition, he posted career-highs in tackles (50) and quarterback hits (24), second on the roster only behind Frank Clark.

After registering only 3.0 combined sacks in his first two NFL seasons, Reed’s monster season set him up nicely for a huge pay day and he’ll be aiming to become one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league.

But with only one dominant season on his resume, what would be a fair price to offer Reed? And will the Seahawks be willing to pay it?

When a player makes gigantic statistical jumps like Reed did in 2018, teams have the right to be a bit cautious about opening up the checkbook. Looking at his case specifically, it’s extremely difficult for interior defenders to amass double-digit sacks and it wouldn’t be a shock to see his production as a pass rusher fall back to earth a bit next season.

Still, the 6-foot-3, 306-pound Reed has consistently been a stout run defender dating back to his time at Alabama. And as coach Pete Carroll emphasized once again during Seattle’s mandatory minicamp, he’s transformed his body since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2016, which has helped catapult his play to another level.

“J. Reed, each year the last couple years, has just done a really good job in the offseason as far as really working on his body and sculpting it and trimming down and being strong and explosive too.” Carroll said. “He’ll come out in camp and be ready to roll.”

Even when considering the bulk of his pass rushing statistics came in one season, Reed’s overall production (129 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 36 quarterback hits) through three years with the ‘Hawks stacks up favorably against two of the highest-paid players at his position, who each received extensions at the conclusion of their rookie deals.

Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, viewed by many as the best interior defender not named Aaron Donald, produced 144 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 26 quarterback hits during his first three seasons. Philadelphia chose to wait on extending him, but after posting a ridiculous 71 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 2015, they rewarded him with a six-year, $102.6 million extension worth more than $17 million annually.

Behind Cox as the second most-expensive defensive tackle, Kawann Short of the Panthers yielded 136 tackles, 16.0 sacks, and 43 quarterback hits during his first three seasons. Like Reed, much of the pass rushing production happened in one season, as he registered 11.0 sacks in 2016. After another strong season with 55 tackles and 6.0 sacks in 2016, Carolina chose to initially place the franchise tag on him before reaching a five-year, $80.5 million extension.

Using Carolina’s decision-making with Short as a blueprint, Seattle may want to take a similar approach with Reed, waiting and seeing how he follows up a career year before opting to make a long-term investment in him. With Russell Wilson re-signed and signs pointing towards Wagner getting a new deal, the Seahawks should have the franchise tag available as a fallback option if negotiations reach an impasse or the organization still isn’t 100 percent sold on extending him.

The Falcons took similar steps with fifth-year defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who posted respectable numbers with 55 tackles and 6.0 sacks in his fourth season. He received the tag in March and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, he will sign a four-year, $68 million extension worth $17 million per year.

For Reed's camp, there couldn't have been a better development, as he can now easily command $16-17 million per year and the Seahawks won't be able to balk at such a demand based on market value.

The Seahawks have plenty of options moving forward, but barring injury or unforeseen decline in his play, Reed appears to be heading towards a monster pay day, whether via the tag or an extension. His agent will be using the aforementioned contracts for Cox, Short, and now Jarrett as parameters to structure his client’s new deal.

Based on his production compared to other premium players at the position, offering Reed a five-year deal worth $85-90 million seems like the right price. Now the question remains – especially after Seattle jettisoned Clark in April – will the team actually pay it?