NFL, Seahawks challenge Hutchinson contract

The Seahawks' hopes of keeping All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson could be decided by an arbitration process.

The NFL has filed a claim on behalf of the Seahawks contending a clause in the offer sheet Hutchinson signed with the Minnesota Vikings circumvents the league's collective-bargaining agreement.

The NFL and Seahawks believe the provision does not need to be included in the contract for the Seahawks to retain their three-time Pro Bowl guard and transition player.



The Vikings signed Hutchinson to a seven-year, $49 million offer sheet on Monday, and the Seahawks had a week to match or let Hutchinson become a Viking without receiving any compensation.

The deal, which contains $16 million in guarantees and would count $13 million against the $102 million salary cap, includes a clause that would guarantee the entire $49 million if Hutchinson is not his team's highest-paid offensive lineman at any time after the first year.

Hutchinson would be the highest-paid lineman for the Vikings. But his deal — the richest for a guard in NFL history — would be second among Seahawks linemen to All-Pro left tackle Walter Jones, who signed a seven-year, $52.5 million contract last year.

On Saturday, a special master will determine whether the CBA gives him jurisdiction in the case. If so, he will hold a hearing on Monday in Philadelphia.

If the special master declines, the case will fall to a non-injury grievance arbitrator.
Richard Berthelsen, general counsel for the NFLPA, said the union will argue against the Seahawks' claims.

The Seahawks had no comment Friday night, telling The Seattle Times it's a league matter.
Berthelsen said the union's interpretation is that the disputed clause is permitted by the CBA because it is a "principal term" of the contract. A "principal term" is defined as salary, bonuses and incentives, plus "any modifications of and additions to the terms ... requested by the free agent and acceptable to the new club, that relate to non-compensation terms (including guarantees, no-cut and no-trade provisions)."

The Seahawks and league are challenging the last part, likely arguing that guaranteeing Hutchinson's entire contract would not be a "non-compensation" term.