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Brady HendersonESPN
The Seattle SeahawksPublished Carlos DunlapAnd Kerry HyderThey will continue to improve their defensive line on Friday
The former Seahawks will be included in this transformation. Quinton JeffersonJosina Andersen, an NFL reporter, said that he has agreed to a two-year $9.5 million contract with Seattle that could potentially be worth as high as $11 million.
Dunlap, 33 years old, was the Seahawks’ most skilled edge rusher. He was coming off a strong finish that saw him record eight sacks in the last six games. After a slow start to the second half, Dunlap saw his playing time decrease.
Pete Carroll, Seahawks coach, stated that the Seahawks would like pass-rushing outside linebackers on the edge to help their defense transition to a more 3-4 structure. Dunlap is a traditional 4-3 defensive lineman, which may be another reason for his release.
Hyder, who turns 30 this May, recorded 1.5 sacks his last season in Seattle. His release reduces 2022 cap space by $1.95 million, while leaving behind $1.7million in dead money.
The Seahawks could make Dunlap a post June 1 release. This will save them $5.1million on their cap and put $4.2 million off of their dead money until 2023. Dunlap’s immediate release will save Seattle $900,000. However, it will also leave behind a $5.6million dead-cap hit for the team.
Dunlap only had one year remaining on the $13.6million, two-year contract he signed last offseason. Dunlap was to make $5.1 million by 2022.
Dunlap was with the team for his first 10 seasons. Cincinnati BengalsThe Seahawks drafted him in round two out of Florida in 2010. The Seahawks acquired the player via a midseason deal before the 2020 deadline. His 96 total sacks rank eighth in active NFL players.
Carlos Dunlap Sr., Dunlap’s dad, was killed by a car accident in January near North Charleston, South Carolina.
In the first week after free agency began, further changes were made to the Seahawks’ defensive lines with the releases of Dunlap and Hyder as well as Jefferson’s return. They signed former Los Angeles ChargersEdge rusher Uchenna NwosuA two-year, $19.055million deal was reached and the defense end was also released that day. Benson MayowaIn a move that only saves them $1.45 million in capital space
Jefferson will be his third time with the same team that drafted them in the fifth rounds in 2016. He mentioned his familiarity and trust with Clint Hurtt (the new defensive coordinator), who was also his former position coach in Seattle.
Jefferson stated that his old D-Line coach, who was with me in Seattle when I was there before, is now the D-coordinator. It just made sense to return. My house and friends are there. It will be great to see some familiar faces.”
Jefferson, who turns 29 this March 31st, has played end and tackle in six NFL season. He has 15 sacks. He has accumulated 7.5 sacks over the two seasons since he was released from Seattle as a free agent in 2020. That season he spent with the Buffalo BillsAnd played all 17 games last season for the Las Vegas Raiders.