DT Brandon Mebane and OG J.R. Sweezy followed LB Bruce Irvin out the door Wednesday, both signing three-year deals with the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Bucs, respectively. Irvin earlier signed a four-year deal with the Oakland Raiders. The Seahawks are down three veteran starters in the first day of the NFL’s free agency.
Although Mebane, 31, said recently that he wanted to remain with Seattle, he found a more enticing offer in San Diego. Mebane’s deal is reported to be worth $13.5 million, with $5.5 million guaranteed. Last year with the Seahawks, he made $5.1 million.
A third-round pick from Cal in 2007 by former coach Mike Holmgren, Mebane (6-foot-1, 311 pounds) spent nine seasons with the Seahawks — the longest tenured scrimmage player. He was a two-down nose tackle who played 49.1 percent of the team’s snaps last year when the Seahawks held opponents to 3.6 yards per carry (third-best in the NFL).
Mebane has started the past 125 games he’s played, and has 349 tackles and 15.5 sacks. He’ll slot into a defensive line that’s anchored by Corey Liuget and also includes Sean Lissemore.
Sweezy, a seventh-round pick in 2012 who played on the defensive line at North Carolina State, made steady progress during his four years with the Seahawks. His deal has been reported at $32.5 million over five years, way more than the Seahawks could afford.
He served as line depth during his first season before starting 46 of a possible 48 games over the remaining three years of his rookie contract. Sweezy started all 18 games for the Seahawks last season.
At 6-foot-5 and 296 pounds, Sweezy has blocked for a top-five rushing offense in each of his three years as a starter. Last year, the Seahawks had their best season of overall offense under Pete Carroll, finishing third in total yards.
In Tampa, Sweezy will get a chance to replace retired guard Logan Mankins.
Seahawks offer tenders
The Seahawks announced Wednesday their contract tenders to other categories besides unrestricted free agents.
Restricted free agent C Patrick Lewis received an offer, as did seven exclusive rights free agents, including CB Marcus Burley, DT A.J. Francis, TE Cooper Helfet, LB Eric Pinkins, CB Mohammed Seisay, DB DeShawn Shead and FS Steven Terrell.
The one exclusive free agent not offered was oft-injured DT Jesse Williams, who was waived.
3 Comments
Wish I knew what the Hawks are planning. See these three guys leave and no players come in is nerve-wracking
Hopefully they can steal quality replacements in the form of guys who would like a chance to win.
Ah, gonna miss the jelly roll. I’m a bit nervous about Sweezy leaving as well. From interviews I’ve read it seems he stepped into Max Unger’s role as the leader of the O-Line. Once the season hit the midpoint the line started to come together. Going into a rebuild mode AGAIN could result in a 9-7 or 8-8 season.