Following a productive offseason, there are still a few areas the Seattle Seahawks need to improve on ahead of training camp at the end of July. 

The most important? Linebacker depth. And a 2008 Seahawks receiver agrees. Michael Bumpus was on the Bump and Stacy Podcast when he detailed why the position is a major concern for the Seahawks moving forward. Bumpus also offered a formidable solution — former Pro Bowler Jaylon Smith. 

“You don’t need him to come in and be a starter right now," Bumpus said. "You need him to bring that veteran presence, you need him to be a solid backup, you need him to contribute on special teams, and he’s (not going to cost much). . . . You’ve got to take a look at Jaylon Smith.”

Smith's career has been a mixture of good and bad. He was widely seen as one of the best prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft, but he tore his ACL in his final collegiate game. Then the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the second round.

His injury forced him to miss his rookie season. But once he was healthy, Smith was a difference-maker for Dallas. 

He recorded at least 120 tackles in three straight seasons and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2019. 

In 2021, though, the Cowboys released Smith over an injury clause in his contract. He then had a brief stop with the Green Bay Packers, playing just two games before being released again. 

Most recently, Smith has played for the New York Giants, appearing in 13 games and recording 88 tackles, the second-most on the team behind safety Julian Love, who joined the Seahawks during the offseason.

Smith doesn't have many suitors, so he could be a makes-sense depth addition to a linebacker position that desperately needs to be bolstered. The Seahawks brought back Bobby Wagner, but the organization can still do more. 

Julian Love chose the Seattle Seahawks for more than just a paycheck

The Giants offered Julian Love more money, but he chose to play for the Seattle Seahawks for reasons past the almighty dollar.

Feature image via James D. Smith via USA TODAY Sports.