Now in Week 2 of the 2015 NFL season, it’s time for Seahawks General Manager John Schneider to pay strong safety Kam Chancellor.

After just one week without the best strong safety in the game, the Seahawks’ defense already gave more points than they had allowed in a regular season game since Week 8 of the 2011 season against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Rams also averaged 16.2 yards per pass against the Seahawks in their first 2015 season game – a huge difference between the 10.6 yard average the Seahawks allowed for the entire 2014 season. If the Rams could put up those numbers, imagine what the Green Bay Packers could do to the Seahawks defense with Aaron Rodgers, one of the best quarterbacks in the league, leading the way.

Without Chancellor, the Seahawks’ defense is not the same. Though strong safety Dion Bailey may be a touted prospect, he still doesn’t have that reputation that Chancellor has as a big hitter.

With Chancellor in Seattle’s defensive backfield, opposing receivers are constantly aware of where the strong safety is lined up. Nobody wants to take a shot from a 6’3”, 232 pound safety. Chancellor brings in an intimidation factor which helps the defense thrive.

“I understand where Kam is coming from,” NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin said on Stephen A. Smith’s radio show. “Get what you got to get because your game is different, man. You’re hitting people for real out there. (Chancellor) makes you question your own courage in a league that has removed courage out of the game.”

If the Seahawks want to make a third-straight appearance in the Super Bowl, they need Chancellor back on the field. It’s going to take time for Bailey to get comfortable with the speed and rhythm of the Seahawks’ defense. He spent most of last season on the practice squad for the Seahawks, meaning he doesn’t have much experience in game situations.

By signing Chancellor, the Seahawks will also not take much of a hit financially. It’s not as if Chancellor is demanding millions of dollars be owed to him. All he’s asking for is roughly $900,000 to be moved over in his contract from 2017 to 2016.

The Seahawks financially took care of free safety Earl Thomas, cornerback Richard Sherman, quarterback Russell Wilson and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner. It’s time for the Seahawks to show Chancellor respect by paying him the money he deserves. If they don’t, then expect this defense to struggle in 2015.