Starting guard Robert Gallery was cut by the Seahawks Wednesday, opening the way for the return of former All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson, a star of the Seahawks’ 2006 Super Bowl team who toured the Renton facilities yesterday as a free agent.
No deal was announced Wednesday, although the Seahawks did re-sign free agent Paul McQuistan, who started 10 games last year, including three at left guard, three at right guard and four at left tackle.
Gallery, 31, had a hard time staying healthy last season, his first in Seattle after seven seasons in Oakland. Brought to Seattle on the recommendation of his coach in Oakland, Tom Cable, who became the Seahawks assistant head coach, Gallery missed the opener with a sprained right knee, then returned but lost three more games to surgery that repaired an injured groin.
Gallery was schedule to make $5.1 million in 2012, but none was guaranteed.
Hutchinson, 34, is an 11-year veteran and a seven-time Bowler, including three in Seattle, which drafted him in the first round from Michigan in 2001. Hutchinson and tackle Walter Jones made the most powerful line tandem in franchise history.
Hutchinson left after the Super Bowl for Minnesota, which made him a controversial offer as a restricted free agent that the Seahawks declined to match, citing a “poison pill” contract element. His departure infuriated then coach Mike Holmgren and began a series of personnel events that resulted in the ouster of GM Tim Ruskell two years ago.
Hutchinson missed time last season due to a concussion and a thumb injury.
In other free agent developments, defensive tackle Jason Jones, from Tennessee, is scheduled for a visit Thursday to Seahawks headquarters, and free agent quarterback Chad Henne, who was scheduled for a visit, signed with Jacksonville.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2113237 http://seahawks.sportspressnw.com/?p=2113237">8 Comments
Wow – It was such a big deal to get Gallery away from the Raiders and help solidify the line. Guess nothing is certain in the NFL……..
Wow – It was such a big deal to get Gallery away from the Raiders and help solidify the line. Guess nothing is certain in the NFL……..
He’s obviously past his prime (although 34 is not too old to play O-line in the NFL), but Hutch would be a good guy to have around with all those youngsters up front. He was a vocal leader his first time around in Seattle, and could be useful as a mentor in addition to playing. The way he left the Seahawks left a bad taste in a lot of mouths, but Ruskell and Holmgren are gone. If nothing else, I’m fine with Carroll letting Gallery go after one year even though Gallery was a Cable favorite in Oakland. The willingness to bring Hutch back and let Gallery go (plus passing on Taylor Mays to pick Earl Thomas in the draft) tells me he’s not beholden to the past in building his team.
He’s obviously past his prime (although 34 is not too old to play O-line in the NFL), but Hutch would be a good guy to have around with all those youngsters up front. He was a vocal leader his first time around in Seattle, and could be useful as a mentor in addition to playing. The way he left the Seahawks left a bad taste in a lot of mouths, but Ruskell and Holmgren are gone. If nothing else, I’m fine with Carroll letting Gallery go after one year even though Gallery was a Cable favorite in Oakland. The willingness to bring Hutch back and let Gallery go (plus passing on Taylor Mays to pick Earl Thomas in the draft) tells me he’s not beholden to the past in building his team.
how did you “know” hutch was coming back to seattle? he had no plans and i dont think seattle wanted him back at all.. so don’t assume things like that
how did you “know” hutch was coming back to seattle? he had no plans and i dont think seattle wanted him back at all.. so don’t assume things like that
Isn’t hindsight grand?
Isn’t hindsight grand?