O’Brien Schofield, who attempted to leave the Seahawks last year in free agency (signed with the New York Giants), has reportedly made a successful transition to the Atlanta Falcons, who said Thursday they have signed the linebacker/defensive end. Schofield will be reunited with his former Seattle defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, now coach of the Falcons.
Originally a fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin by the Arizona Cardinals in 2010, Schofield spent the 2010-12 seasons in Arizona before his release July 25, 2013. Claimed off waivers by the Seahawks, Schofield spent the 2013 season with Seattle and contributed to the Seahawks winning Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos.
An edge rusher who can play with his hand on the ground or standing up, Schofield then signed with the Giants, a two-year deal worth $8 million. But after Schofield failed his physical, he returned to Seattle and saw action in 16 regular-season games and all three Seattle playoff appearances. He finished the Super Bowl after DE Cliff Avril left with a concussion.
Schofield finished 2014 with 15 tackles, nine quarterback hits and two sacks.
Schofield is the 18th player (of 46 who suited up) from Seattle’s Super Bowl-winning team to leave the franchise, and the fourth unrestricted free agent to exit Seattle since the league year began Tuesday.
SEAHAWKS FREE AGENT TRACKER
Unrestricted Free Agents
| Date | Player | Action | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | TE Anthony McCoy | Re-signed | One year; injured last 2 seasons |
| 3/10 | CB Byron Maxwell | Signed-Phil | 6 years, $63 million: ($10.3 average) |
| 3/10 | LG James Carpenter | Signed-NYJ | 4 years, $20 million |
| 3/10 | LB Malcolm Smith | Signed-Oak | 2 years, $7 million |
| 3/12 | DE O’Brien Schofield | Signed-Atl | 9 QB hits, 2 sacks for ’14 Hawks |
| 3/13 | PR Bryan Walters | Signed-Jax | Primary punt returner in ’14 |
Restricted Free Agents
| Date | Player | Action | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/6 | DE Greg Scruggs | Re-signed | Injured reserve last 2 years (knee) |
| 3/9 | LB Mike Morgan | Re-signed | Played in 53 games since 2011 |
| 3/9 | WR Ricardo Lockette | Re-signed | 11 catches, 2 TDs in ’14 |
| 3/9 | CB DeShawn Shead | Re-signed | Played in 16 games with 1 start in ’14 |
Extensions / Restructures / Cuts
| Date | Player | Action | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/6 | RB Marshawn Lynch | Extend. | 3 years, $31 million; $12 million in 2015 |
| 3/6 | TE Zach Miller | Cut | Played 3 games in ’14; had severe ankle injury |
| 3/6 | DT Jesse Williams | Cut | IR most of last 2 years with knee injuries |
| 3/6 | OT Garrett Scott | Cut | Waived due to a non-football heart condition |
Remaining Unrestricted Free Agents
| Player | Pos. | Age | Current Avg. | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Williams | DT | 34 | $2,100,000 | Candidate for 1-year deal |
| Jeron Johnson | S | 26 | $1,500,000 | 15 games in ’14, 1 start |
| Demarcus Dobbs | DE | 27 | $1,431,000 | 4 games in 2014, no starts |
| Tarvaris Jackson | QB | 31 | $1,250,000 | Played in one game in 2014 |
| Heath Farwell | ILB | 33 | $1,125,000 | Retiring to coach |
| Clint Gresham | LS | 28 | $827,500 | Played in all 16 games |
| Landon Cohen | DT | 28 | $730,000 | Played in one playoff game |
| Will Tukuafu | FB | 31 | $645,000 | Made 2 starts in 2014 |
| Tony Moeaki | TE | 27 | $645,000 | 6 games, 2 starts in ’14 |
| Lemuel Jeanpierre | C | 27 | $645,000 | Played in 15 games in ’14 |
| D’Anthony Smith | DT | 26 | $570,000 | Practice-squad player |
Remaining Restricted Free Agents
| Player | Pos. | Age | Current Avg. | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Shilling | G | 26 | $645,000 | Went on IR Nov. 10 (knee) |
| David Gilreath | WR | 26 | $495,000 | Didn’t play in 2014 |
| Jermaine Kearse | WR | 25 | $480,000 | Winning TD in NFC Champ. |
Free Agents Signed
| Date | Player | Pos. | From | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/9 | Will Blackmon | CB | Jacksonville | 12 starts for the Jaguars last 2 years |
| 3/9 | Cary Williams | CB | Philadelphia | Deal is 3 years, $18 million |
Trades
| Date | Player | Pos. | From | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/10 | Jimmy Graham | TE | New Orleans | Cost: C Max Unger, No. 1 pick |
1 Comment
Fully expecting Quinn and Bradley to be signing as many Hawks as they can. Wouldn’t surprise me if DQ goes after Big Red. This does free up the Hawks to go after another free agent. Word is they’re talking to Stefen Wisniewski.of the Raiders.