Seahawks To Re-Sign QB Drew Lock
The Seahawks will have both members of their quarterback tandem from 2022 in place for next year. Seattle has agreed to terms on a one-year, $4MM deal with Drew Lock (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). Incentives bring the maximum value of the contract to $7.5MM. 
Lock, 26, was acquired by the Seahawks last offseason as part of the package the Broncos sent them in the Russell Wilson trade. That gave him the opportunity to compete for the starting job with veteran Geno Smith, something most expected him to secure during training camp. Instead, the latter took hold of the No. 1 spot on the depth chart and held it all year.
Smith went on to have one of the most surprising campaigns of the 2022 season, earning Comeback Player of the Year Honors. His success helped propel the Seahawks to a playoff berth, but it also kept Lock on the bench for the entirety of the campaign. Lock didn’t see a snap in the regular or postseason, something which clouded his value ahead of free agency.
The former second-rounder underwhelmed as a starter in Denver, going 8-13 during his time in the Mile High City. His lack of development included a league-leading 15 interceptions in the 2020 season, and a career completion percentage of just 59.3%. That made him a logical inclusion in the Wilson trade, as a fresh start was considered necessary for him to restart his career.
Seattle represented a suitable home for the Missouri product, given the optimism expressed by the team about his ability to win the starting role. Head coach Pete Carroll repeatedly spoke highly of Lock during the offseason, as he has throughout the year about Smith as well. The latter is on the books with his new, incentive-laden deal, and Lock is now in place to continue as his understudy.
Seahawks, OL Evan Brown Agree To Deal
The Seahawks may have identified their Austin Blythe center replacement. They are signing former Lions starter Evan Brown, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. 
It is a one-year deal, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter). This move comes minutes after the Lions agreed to a deal to bring back one of their former interior O-line starters (Graham Glasgow). Brown started 24 games for the Lions — both at center and guard — from 2021-22.
With his starting role in Detroit in jeopardy given Glasgow’s arrival, Brown will move to his fifth career NFL franchise. The 26-year-old also has experience with the Dolphins, Giants and Browns preceding his two-plus-year stint in the Motor City.
Brown originally received more favorable PFF grades for his pass protection than his run blocking, including an impressive 80.1 grade in the former category in 2020. Recently, however, his metrics have shifted and he has graded out better in the run game while struggling in protection. He earned a PFF rating of just 45.5 in pass protection in 2022, after being charged with two sacks and 22 pressures allowed.
In spite of those struggles, the former UDFA will bring experience to Seattle as they look to replace Blythe (who retired at the end of the season) individually, but also maintain their success on offense from 2022 in general. Improved play up front was a key factor in the Seahawks’ top-10 scoring unit, which included a pair of rookie tackles in Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas.
With Brown in place, Seattle will have an experienced option in the middle of their re-vamped O-line. He will likely compete with former sixth-rounder Joey Hunt for the No. 1 center spot, or with veteran Phil Haynes at the right guard position. Seattle will have a number of options up front, regardless of what other depth is added in the coming weeks.
Seahawks To Host LB Devin Bush, S Julian Love, DB Lonnie Johnson
On Day 2 of the 2023 league year, the visit stage of free agency appears upon us. The Seahawks will act accordingly, being set to host two defenders coming off their respective rookie contracts.
Linebacker Devin Bush and safety Julian Love will head to Seattle for summits with Seahawks brass Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The Seahawks have been busy along their defensive front but have thus far waited out the markets at linebacker and in the secondary.
Love’s inclusion here is interesting, both given the Seahawks’ personnel at the position and the Giants’ in retaining their young safety starter. Although the Giants began negotiations with Love before free agency began, the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard notes (via Twitter) the sides are not close on terms.
Love is just 24 (25 this weekend) despite having been in the NFL four seasons, and after Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan relocated last year, the former Giants fourth-round pick played a vital role for Don Martindale’s defense. He logged 1,006 snaps during a season in which Xavier McKinney and Adoree’ Jackson missed extended stretches, helping Big Blue secure its first playoff berth in six years. Love made 124 tackles and intercepted two passes last season.
The Seahawks are already the most well-invested team at the safety position, having Jamal Adams still on a top-market contract and having re-signed Quandre Diggs last year. Even after the Falcons added Jessie Bates for $16MM on average, Diggs’ $13MM-per-year contract still ranks within the top 10 at the position. The Seahawks are coming off a season in which Adams played one game, but Love might prove too pricey for a role alongside this duo.
Following a productive rookie season, Bush could not become a Steelers anchor at linebacker. The team, which traded up for Bush in the 2019 first round, reduced his playing time last season. Bush logged a career-low 62% defensive snap rate with Pittsburgh in 2022, after the team passed on his fifth-year option.
Pro Football Focus slotted Bush just outside the top 50 at linebacker last season; that did mark a bump after the advanced metrics site rated him as one of the worst players at the position in 2021. The Michigan product did play 17 games, making a sufficient recovery from the ACL tear that sidetracked his career back in 2020, but he did not check in as one of this crowded off-ball linebacker market’s top options heading into free agency.
Seattle has Jordyn Brooks signed through 2023, with a fifth-year option decision looming, but lost 2022 starter Cody Barton to the Commanders. The team has been connected to a possible Bobby Wagner reunion; GM John Schneider intends to monitor the Seahawks legend’s market. Bush would be a much lower-profile addition, but the Seahawks will kick the tires on the younger linebacker today. Bush is going into his age-25 season.
Defensive back Lonnie Johnson will also be part of this visit, Schefter adds (on Twitter). The former Texans second-round pick spent 2022 with two teams — the Chiefs and Titans — following a trade and waiver claim. The Texans bailed on Johnson, whom they tried at cornerback and safety, by trading him to the Chiefs. Kansas City waived Johnson in August. He ended up playing in 12 games as a Tennessee backup last season. The fifth-year defender has 19 career starts on his resume.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/15/23
Today’s tender decisions from around the NFL:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Bills: CB Dane Jackson
- Patriots: CB Myles Bryant, OT Yodny Cajuste
Non-tendered:
- 49ers: LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
- Lions: OL Tommy Kraemer, DB Bobby Price
- Panthers: QB P.J. Walker
- Rams: QB Bryce Perkins
- Ravens: C-G Trystan Colon-Castillo, LS Nick Moore, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, S Geno Stone, ILB Kristian Welch
- Saints: WR Marquez Callaway
- Seahawks: LB Tanner Muse
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Buccaneers: CB Dee Delaney
- Rams: DT Michael Hoecht, CB Shaun Jolly, LB Christian Rozeboom
- Titans: DT Naquan Jones
Bears To Sign RB Travis Homer
Shortly after losing their starting running back, the Bears have added at the position. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Chicago has agreed to a deal with running back Travis Homer. Homer got a two-year deal worth a maximum of $4.5MM, per Schefter.
[RELATED: Lions To Sign RB David Montgomery]
David Montgomery started 43 games for the Bears over the past three years, including 16 starts in 2022. However, the former third-round pick left for the Lions earlier this evening, opening up a significant spot on the depth chart.
Homer shouldn’t be expected to carry the load in Chicago, but he’ll provide the coaching staff with some dependable depth at the position. The former sixth-round pick has seen time in 49 games for Seattle over the past four seasons. He had his best season in 2021, finishing with 338 yards from scrimmage. He followed that up with a 2022 campaign that saw him compile 231 offensive yards and one touchdown.
The Bears probably aren’t done adding at the position, but it’s noteworthy that they didn’t look to immediately replace Montgomery with another big name. This bodes well for Khalil Herbert‘s ability to earn the starting gig in 2023. The former sixth-round pick has been productive in his three starts over the past two years, topping 100 yards from scrimmage in each of those contests.
In Seattle, the Seahawks will be eyeing a slightly different RB depth chart in 2023 with Homer gone and Rashaad Penny joining the Eagles. The Seahawks will surely be looking for some additional depth behind Kenneth Walker and DeeJay Dallas.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/14/23
Today’s tender decisions from around the NFL:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Bills: CB Dane Jackson
- Patriots: DB Myles Bryant
- Seahawks: S Ryan Neal
- Vikings: DE Kenny Willekes
Non-tendered:
- Jets: WR Jeff Smith
- Panthers: DB Myles Hartsfield
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Chargers: K Cameron Dicker, OT Foster Sarell
- Chiefs: TE Jody Fortson
Seahawks To Bring Back DT Jarran Reed
Big on reunions with pass rushers in recent years, the Seahawks are planning to greenlight another comeback. They intend to bring back Jarran Reed, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
Reed, who left Seattle under unusual circumstances related to his contract two years ago, intends to rejoin the team on a two-year deal. This comes just after the Seahawks notified Quinton Jefferson, whom they brought back in 2022, he will be a cap casualty. Reed is re-signing with the Seahawks on a deal that can max out at $10.8MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The base value will check in lower for a player the Seahawks once extended on a two-year, $23MM deal.
A refusal to restructure his deal in 2021 led Reed to Kansas City, and he played last season in Green Bay. The Seahawks wanted to retain Reed two years ago, but the young D-tackle sought a second extension. The sides could not agree on a resolution, leading to Reed becoming an unexpected free agent. The former Seattle second-round pick will attempt to pick up where he left off with the NFC West team, which reached reunion agreements with Jefferson and Bruce Irvin last year.
Reed has remained a starter-caliber interior pass rusher in his seasons outside of Seattle, totaling 26 QB hits from 2021-22. However, his best work has come with the Seahawks. Reed, 30, registered six sacks during his 2020 Seattle 1.0 finale and earned his initial extension after totaling 10.5 in 2018.
The Seahawks are swapping out Jefferson and Shelby Harris for Reed and Dre’Mont Jones. The latter will cost $17MM per year, so Reed is joining the Jones- and Uchenna Nwosu-led pass rush as a supplemental piece. Poona Ford remains unsigned, but the Seahawks still have Al Woods and Bryan Mone under contract.
Seahawks To Release DL Quinton Jefferson
Quinton Jefferson‘s second Seahawks stint is coming to an end. The team plans to release the veteran defensive lineman, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
A Seahawks draftee in 2016, Jefferson made his way back to the Pacific Northwest last year and played mostly a rotational role with the team. But the Seahawks can create $4.5MM in cap space by releasing the seventh-year D-lineman.
The Seahawks just notified Jefferson of this decision, per CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson (on Twitter), and it comes hours after the team paid up to win the Dre’Mont Jones sweepstakes. The Seahawks are giving the former Broncos starter a three-year, $51MM deal. This has led to some rearranging, with Shelby Harris — Jones’ teammate in Denver for three seasons — also on the way out.
Jefferson, who will turn 30 later this month, played in all 18 Seahawks games last season and started three of those. With the former Bills and Raiders cog registering a career-high 5.5 sacks, it would seem he will have the option of continuing his career elsewhere. Jefferson intends to keep playing, per Anderson, and he will bring some versatility to his next team — whomever that may be.
Teams have used Jefferson as both a defensive tackle and defensive end, both in 4-3 and 3-4 schemes, making the former fifth-round pick a valuable rotational presence. Jefferson, who also added a career-best six tackles for loss in 2022, started 17 games with the Raiders in 2021 and has 48 starts on his resume.
Seattle will be retooling up front, with Poona Ford also unsigned at this point. But the team still has nose tackle Al Woods and veteran Bryan Mone under contract. Jones will be the centerpiece of the Seahawks’ updated D-tackle situation, however, with the Seahawks making a late appearance in that competition to bring the ascending interior rusher to the NFC West.
Seahawks Expected To Sign DT Dre’Mont Jones
After parting ways with one former Broncos defensive tackle in Shelby Harris, it looks like Seattle will be replacing him with another former Broncos defensive tackle in Dre’Mont Jones, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The two parties have reportedly agreed on a three-year, $51.53MM deal to bring the standout pass rushing lineman to the Seahawks, according to NFL Network’s James Palmer. 
A 2019 third-round pick out of Ohio State, Jones didn’t take long to live up to his draft stock. In a middling rookie season that saw him occasionally rotate in, Jones still amassed 3.5 sacks and six quarterback hits. Over the next three years, Jones would earn more playing time and do much more with it. In 28 starts since 2020, Jones has tallied 18.5 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, and 32 quarterback hits, averaging about the same number of each statistic every season.
Jones isn’t perfect. He specializes as one of the top pass rushing interior defensive lineman in the NFL but can struggle in run defense. He’s also had issues with injuries over the years, failing to appear in every game of any NFL season he’s played in. Regardless, Seattle will be adding a whole new dynamic to a defense that heavily depended on two linebackers (Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor, each with 9.5 sacks in 2022) to pressure to the quarterback.
According to Rapoport, Jones is set to earn $23.5MM in the first year of the deal and $35.02MM over the first two years. The deal is a massive upgrade for the young lineman’s rookie contract. At only 26 years old, Jones will provide Seattle with a badly needed pass rusher on the interior.
Seahawks, DT Shelby Harris To Part Ways
A year after being one of the assets the Seahawks acquired in the Russell Wilson trade, Shelby Harris is on track to become a cap casualty. The Seahawks are moving on from the veteran defensive lineman, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.
The team is trying to find a trade partner for Harris, per Garafolo, but thus far has not located one. Absent a trade, Harris will be released. The longtime Broncos starter moved into a starting D-tackle role in Seattle last season.
Harris, 31, worked as a Denver regular for five seasons. The 2020 campaign prompted the Broncos to give him a three-year, $27MM deal to stay; the team did so despite hiring a new GM (George Paton) weeks prior to that transaction. Paton valued the John Elway-era find, but the Seahawks sought him in the Wilson trade.
Last season, Harris registered just two sacks — his lowest total since 2018 — and six quarterback hits. That said, Pro Football Focus still viewed the former seventh-round pick as a top interior D-lineman. PFF graded Harris 17th overall among D-tackles in 2022. It should be expected Harris would land another gig fairly soon. Should Dre’Mont Jones leave Denver for a big-ticket free agency accord, Harris returning would make sense. He played under Vance Joseph for two seasons, emerging as a key player and one of the NFL’s top pass-deflecting performers up front.
Seattle is retooling up front. It is not known yet if the team is re-signing Poona Ford. But he is a free agent. Moving on from Harris and Ford would signal an overhaul for the Seahawks inside. Ford started 16 games last season.