On the same day one of their future hall o famer player sign with another NFL team the Seahawks began their roster rebuild. The team signed Safety Rayshawn Jenkins, center Nick Harris, tackle George Fant and tight end Pharaoh Brown on Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday marked the first day of the league’s new year which allowed teams to officially sign players from other teams.
The signing of the four players gives a small indication of where General Manager John Schneider and Head Coach Mike Macdonald are headed. A clearer picture will emerge after next month’s draft.
WAGNER MOVES ON
Despite leading the team with 183 tackles and earning his ninth Pro Bow selection the Seahawks elited not to bring back future hall of fame Bobby Wagner for a 12th year.
RAYSHAWN JENKINS A POTENTIAL STARTER
After waiving Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams the question was how would they replace the two starters. Draft or free agency. Truth be told it might be a little of both. For now the Seahawks have signed the 6’1 200 pound Jenkins who is fast, strong, and a sure tackler. The former Jacksonville Jaguar had 101 tackles last season after recording 116 in 2022 and was a two-year starter. While it’s not certain how Macdonald will use Jenkins a good bet is that he will play close to the line and attack the box on run and pass plays. Jenkin’s style is similar to that of Jamal Adams.
Another strong trait of Jenkins is his versatility. While he can play close to the line Jenkins was an above-average pass defender. The deal for Jenkins is for $12 million over two years.
Also in the safety mix, Julian Love who was named to the NFC Pro Bowl and finished third on the team in tackles with 110 tackles, 78 of which were solo and two intercetpions
GEORGE FANT RETURNS
It was a homecoming of sort for George Fant who spent his first three seasons and started 24 games at both tackle positions for Seattle before moving on to the Jets in 2020. Fant became a full-time starter and started 29 games in 2020 and 2021.In 2022 Fant started seven games and missed nine due to a knee injury. Last season Fant had 13 starts and appeared in 16 games for the Texans. With Charles Cross and Abe Lucas set as the starting tackles Fant will give the team some added depth and competition.
NEW FACE TO TEAM UP WITH A FAMILIAR ONE
A day after announcing the re-signing of Noah Fant the Seahawks announced the acquisition of Pharaoh Brown to a one-year deal worth up to $3.9 million with a base salary of $3.2 million. Brown was signed to back up Fant who was the team’s only tight end after the release of Colby Parkinson and Will Dissly. Brown is 29 years old so it makes sense the team signed him to a one-year deal. He was a durable special teams player for the Patriots the last two years. Last year he caught 13 passes for a career 208 yards and a touchdown. Look for the Seahawks to sign an undrafted free-agent tight end to compete with Brown for playing time.
REUNION ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE
Former Husky and two-time first-team All- Pac-12 center Nick Harris was signed to bring some depth and competition at the center position. After the release of Eva Brown the heir apparent looks to be second-year man Olu Oluwatimi who had just one start but played in 16 games. Harris will be reunited with the Seahawks offensive line Scott Huff. From 2016-19 Harris was coached by Huff who was the Huskies’ offensive line coach at the time.
SEAHAWKS KEEP SOME OF THEIR OWN
The Seahawks kept several players in the fold when they extended Darrell Taylor’s contract, and tendered the contracts for cornerback Michael Jackson and linebacker Jon Rhattigan. Jackson will earn $3.116 million if he makes the 2024 roster as a fifth-round tender. If another team signs Jackson the Seahawks will receive a fifth-round compensation. The team can also match any offer Jackson receives.
RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL
Rhattigan’s situation is a little different. If he makes the roster, he was given a right-of-first refusal tender giving a base salary of $2.985 million. The Seahawks have the right to match but receive no compensation if he signs with another team. The team also agreed to a one-year deal with cornerback Artie Burns.
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