Garry

Gilliam

Gilliam was due a $4.5 million salary this season in the final year of his deal, and the move clears $5.05 million in cap space for the Niners. The 28-year-old played just 84 snaps last season and wasn’t needed at his price tag with LT Joe Staley and RT Mike McGlinchey locked in as starters.

Gilliam sounds like he will be sidelined through minicamp, but ready to rock before training camp. An ineffective 16-game starter at right tackle last season, Gilliam is a major blindside gamble for a team that counts (too?) heavily on its scheme and dual-threat quarterback to mask pass-protection deficiencies. It would qualify as a minor miracle if Gilliam ends up starting all 16 games at left tackle.

The word comes straight from coach Pete Carroll. Gilliam was a 16-game starter at right tackle last season, but struggled mightily. Sowell hasn’t started at any position since 2013, when he was with the Cardinals. The loser of the “battle” could displace J’Marcus Webb at right tackle, though swing duties are just as likely.

Sowell is putting a serious move on presumptive starter Garry Gilliam, who was working on the right side Thursday. Sowell hasn’t made a regular season start since 2013, when he bombed as the Cardinals’ blindside protector. He played 33 total snaps last season.

Gilliam opened camp as the left tackle, but he ended up losing out to Bradley Sowell. Gilliam then switched to the right side, where he was able to hold off J’Marcus Webb. Considering how poorly Gilliam played last season, it would not be surprising if Webb made starts as well this year.

Gilliam started the Seahawks’ first 11 games at right tackle before being replaced by Bradley Sowell. Now they’re going back to Gilliam after Sowell got absolutely manhandled Thursday against Los Angeles. The offensive line has been a problem all year for Seattle. Unfortunately, Gilliam isn’t the solution.

That’s $1.797 million. Since Gilliam is a former undrafted free agent, it means the Seahawks will receive no compensation if he signs an offer sheet elsewhere and they decide not to match. Gilliam has started 29 games over the past two seasons, but not been effective. Ideally, he would be a backup right tackle.

Gilliam was an abomination last season, but the Seahawks might believe they’re not in a position to cast aside anybody at tackle. Improving their offensive line play across the board is absolutely imperative for 2017. Ideally, Gilliam will return as depth, not a starter.

A former UDFA, Gilliam was tendered at the original-round/$1.797 million level. That means the Seahawks will receive no compensation if Gilliam signs an offer sheet with the 49ers and they decide not to match. Gilliam has started 29 games over the past two seasons, but generally struggled. He would be a body for the rebuilding 49ers.

A restricted free agent, Gilliam signed an offer sheet with the 49ers on Monday, and the Seahawks quickly declined to match. Because Gilliam entered the league as an undrafted free agent and Seattle tendered him at the lowest level, they will not receive any draft compensation. Gilliam has struggled mightily at right tackle the last two seasons, but the 49ers do not have any better options. He should compete with Trent Brown for the starting job.