Seattle Seahawks would be smart to re-sign Alan Branch

Defensive tackle Alan Branch turned his NFL career right-side-up with the Seattle Seahawks. If it’s not broken, why fix it?

Branch, currently a free agent, has received little interest this offseason. Despite nibbles by the Jacksonville Jaguars  and New England Patriots, a market hasn’t developed for the 28-year-old mammoth in the middle.

After realizing that his market value wasn’t what he was expecting, Branch should consider a return to the Seahawks. Not too long ago, that was what he wanted anyways.

“Hopefully they want me here and the whole money situation gets settled,” Branch said back in January.

While that hasn’t been the case up to this point, a change has been made that could resolve any pre-existing issues.

The news broke on Wednesday that Branch had fired CAA as his player representation agency, and hired Blake Baratz to take the reins as his new client tries to escape this free agency stalemate. Few teams have inquired about Branch, and a big part of that could have been the way that CAA was attempting to sell their client to potential suitors.

What Baratz and Branch need to realize at this point is that Seattle is the best place for him to be. Not only were the Seahawks the team that rejuvenated his career, but the additions of defensive ends Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett will make it that much easier for Branch to put up big numbers in 2013. A greater supporting cast means more production and a bigger long-term payoff.

Especially with the departure of Jason Jones, the Seahawks need Branch back in the fold in 2013. He’s a big, dominant defensive tackle who can swallow blockers and make life a little easier for the pass rush. When you have a 6’6’’, 325-pound boulder anchoring your defense, good things are bound to happen.

The Seahawks haven’t been shy about making impact moves since the beginning of free agency, so why stop now? It’s time for the two parties to set their differences aside and make sure that Branch is a part of their campaign for a Super Bowl berth this upcoming season.

Gil Alcaraz IV is a Content Planner/NFL Featured Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GilAlcarazIV, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.