The process: Tight end Jermichael Finley is at least two months away and maybe several months more from being in position to sign with a team, a source familiar with the situation said this week.
Finley, one of the 10 unsigned players on the Packers' unrestricted list, visited Seattle on March 12. John Schneider, who was scouting for the Packers when they drafted Finley in 2008, is the Seahawks' general manager.
The Seahawks thanked Finley for coming and informed him in so many words to stay in touch after the passage of time would presumably mean additional healing for his bruised spinal cord, according to sources.
Obviously, the Seahawks' opinion will circulate among teams because they were the first club Finley visited.
Finley underwent a cervical fusion Nov. 14 after suffering damage to the C3-C4 area of his spine. He was injured Oct. 20 on a hard hit by Cleveland safety Tashaun Gipson.
Safety Sean Richardson underwent a cervical fusion on Jan. 15, 2013, after suffering a herniated disc in the C5-C6 area of his spine. It was 10½ months later before the Packers' medical staff gave him full clearance to practice and play as a member of the 53-man roster.
Besides Quarless, the Packers have other veterans — Brandon Bostick, Ryan Taylor and Jake Stoneburner — at tight end.
It probably wasn't coincidence that Zach Miller, the Seahawks' starter, signed off on a huge pay cut two days after the visit by Finley. Seattle also has talented underachiever Anthony McCoy, Luke Willson and Travis Beckum at tight end.
Also at play is the $10 million tax-free insurance policy that Finley would collect if he can't play again.
