Retiring doesn't really change anything with the cap and guaranteed money..idt...I know that PIT released Troy P., and there was a lot of talk that he might retire, but it was determined the Steelers were still going to be carrying dead money either way.
I say you just release him...pay him his last $5mil and thank him for his services.
Retire for sure. Is he worth $6M? MAYBE..... $11M? No way. If Seattle has $11M freed up of cap next year with Rawls they can re-sign Irvin, extend Bennett/Avril, and sign some free agents on the lines.
I would say really in any of those situations Seattle still is paying him $5 million. They are still responsible for any signing bonus/prorated bonus in any of those situations.
I would probably put his name out there that he is on the trading block and take whatever you can get for him. Otherwise just flat out release and good chance he goes to Oakland if that happens in my opinion.