Grey Zabel

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Seahawks landed a solid value play by locking up Grey Zabel at $4.6M AAV over four years, earning a B- CVI that reflects smart roster building around the margins. While Zabel profiles as a rotational guard rather than an every-down starter, Seattle secured that production tier at a reasonable price point in today's inflated lineman market. The fully guaranteed $18.5M structure shows the organization's commitment while avoiding the premium costs that come with established starters, making this the type of depth signing that championship teams execute consistently. At this salary range, Zabel doesn't need to be a Pro Bowler to justify the investment — he just needs to provide competent snaps when called upon and push the starters in practice. This deal represents exactly the kind of calculated risk that builds sustainable roster depth without breaking the bank, giving Seattle flexibility to allocate bigger money elsewhere while ensuring they have capable bodies along the offensive line.

Performance Analysis

Grey Zabel grades at a D as a rookie guard who stepped into a full-time starting role with the Seahawks in 2025. Playing all 17 games in his first NFL season shows Seattle's confidence in him, even if the performance grade indicates there were significant growing pains along the way. Interior offensive line is one of the hardest positions to play as a rookie, and the D grade reflects the typical struggles of a young player learning the speed and complexity of the NFL. The two tackles he recorded are meaningless for a guard — the real evaluation happens in the film room. Zabel has a solid foundation of durability and opportunity, and a jump in Year 2 is both expected and necessary for Seattle's offensive line to take a step forward.