We heard yesterday that the Seahawks could be interested in veteran defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, and now they’re following through on that interest. Rubin is in Seattle right now to visit with the team, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
Condotta writes that if the two sides can agree on a deal, Rubin “would likely sign a one-year, low-risk (veteran minimum or just above) deal.” Rubin has some familiarity with the Seahawks, as he spent two seasons with the team in 2015 and 2016. He originally entered the league as a sixth-round pick of the Browns back in 2008, and he spent the next seven seasons in Cleveland.
He had a productive 2015 campaign, and earned a new three-year, $12MM extension from Seattle. He lasted just one year into that pact before getting cut just prior to the start of the 2017 season. Rubin signed with the Raiders last offseason, but missed the entire year with a biceps injury. Rubin is turning 33 later this month but Seattle’s run-defense really struggled last year, so perhaps he could help out in a situational role.
Condotta writes that it’s a position of need, and that the Seahawks will keep looking for help there if they don’t end up signing Rubin. He notes that “the defensive line remains one of the team’s top two or three main areas of concern entering training camp, and Seattle is expected to continue looking to add players to that spot as preseason rolls along.”