Hawks interested in Jets' Abraham?

A report in the Denver Post Tuesday linked the Seahawks to John Abraham, saying the Seahawks are one of the teams interested in acquiring the New York Jets' three-time Pro Bowl defensive end.

The Denver Broncos seem to be the front-runner to get Abraham over the Seahawks and Oakland Raiders, among other supposedly interested teams.

Abraham is a sack machine who was designated the Jets' franchise player for the second straight year. He seeks to be traded, in part because the Jets never negotiated a long-term contract for the 27-year-old after last season.

Abraham's agent did not return phone calls Thursday, but he has said he doesn't expect Abraham to sign the $8.33 million tender to remain in New York. A trade would be costly, as the team that gets Abraham would have to have a long-term deal worked out for him, and he presumably would cost a high draft pick.

Seattle, which owns the 31st pick in the draft this year, has the means to obtain and sign Abraham.

With the salary cap for each team set at $102 million for 2006, the Seahawks are about $16 million under now that adjustments in NFL minimum salaries have been made.

Notes

• Newly signed safety Shaunard Harts, a fifth-year player, would make $585,000, as opposed to $545,000, under the new minimum-salary scale.

• Shaun Alexander's eight-year, $62 million contract will not be affected by the new CBA.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com