Reports: Clinton McDonald reaches deal with Bucs
Mar 11, 2014, 1:36 PM | Updated: 1:44 pm
By Brady Henderson
Defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, a key part of Seattle’s pass rush during the team’s Super Bowl season, is reportedly heading to Tampa Bay.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McDonald and the Buccaneers have reached an agreement on a four-year, $12 million deal. It’s a significant raise for McDonald, who made less than $1 million during his breakout 2013 season .
The Seahawks acquired McDonald before the 2011 season in a trade with the Bengals, sending cornerback Kelly Jennings to Cincinnati for a player who would end up backing up Brandon Mebane while also serving as an interior pass rusher in Seattle’s nickel defense.
McDonald’s final season with Seattle was an interesting one. He was released at the end of training camp in a cost-saving move and then re-signed after Week 1. After going without a sack over his first three seasons, McDonald posted 5.5 of them in addition to 35 tackles and an interception.
His departure signals more change for Seattle’s defensive line, which lost a starting defensive end when the team released Red Bryant earlier this offseason. Tony McDaniel, who started alongside Mebane in 2013, is an unrestricted free agent. There has also been speculation that the team could part ways with its other starting defensive end, Chris Clemons, especially after re-signing Michael Bennett to a four-year, $28.5 million deal on Monday.
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