Ex-Seahawks OL McQuistan agrees with Browns
Mar 24, 2014, 9:56 AM | Updated: 12:30 pm
By Brent Stecker
Add free-agent offensive lineman Paul McQuistan to the list of Seahawks to leave after their first Super Bowl-winning season.
 Free-agent offensive lineman Paul McQuistan, who started 14 games in 2013 for the Seahawks, has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal worth $3 million ($750,000 guaranteed) with the Cleveland Browns. (AP) |
McQuistan, 30, has agreed to a two-year deal worth $3 million ($750,000 guaranteed) with the Cleveland Browns, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Caplan Monday.
McQuistan started 14 games for the Seahawks during their 2013 Super Bowl-winning season – he filled in at left tackle for when Russell Okung was injured for eight games, and spent the remainder at left guard. He did not start any games in the playoffs, however.
McQuistan, who signed as a free agent with Seattle in 2011, counted $3.4 million against the salary cap in 2013, which may have had a hand in the Seahawks not re-signing him.
He started every game for Seattle in 2012, but his days appeared to be numbered with the emergence of Michael Bowie and Alvin Bailey on the offensive line in 2013.
“He has versatility,” Browns general manager Ray Farmer said at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando. “The guy played a lot of tackle last year. He’s played guard. The versatility is definitely intriguing and positive for us and it can make our minds rest easy in a lot of respects where he can possibly contribute.”
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound McQuistan is an eight-year NFL veteran. He was picked in the third round of the 2006 draft by Oakland, and has made 52 career starts at left tackle, left guard and right guard.
With McQuistan’s departure, the Seahawks have now lost 10 players who have either signed with other teams or been released since the offseason began.
