BRADY HENDERSON

Seahawks continue adding depth at LB with Terence Garvin

Mar 24, 2017, 11:21 AM

Linebacker Terence Garvin, 26, has primarily played special teams during his four NFL seasons. (AP)...

Linebacker Terence Garvin, 26, has primarily played special teams during his four NFL seasons. (AP)

(AP)

Make that three linebackers the Seahawks have signed in free agency.

Less than a day after adding former 49er Michael Wilhoite, Seattle has reportedly made another move to bolster its linebacker corps by agreeing to terms with Terence Garvin, a special-teams ace who’s played for Pittsburgh and Washington over four NFL seasons.

Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported Seattle’s agreement with Garvin.

At the end of last season, coach Pete Carroll identified linebacker as one position where the Seahawks needed to improve. He said Seattle would try to do that through the draft, noting that none of the linebackers the Seahawks have developed over the last few years have been able to challenge starters Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright for playing time. Each played 97 percent of Seattle’s defensive snaps last season, for instance.

Seahawks 2017 free-agency tracker: Keep track of Seattle’s moves

Instead, Seattle has addressed that spot through free agency, first with Arthur Brown, then Wilhoite and now Garvin.

Wilhoite’s deal, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, includes an $800,000 salary, a $500,000 signing bonus and $250,000 in per-game active roster bonuses plus another $450,000 available in incentives. That’s a relatively substantial deal considering the minimum salary for a player of Wilhoite’s tenure is $775,000. That, and the fact that Wilhoite started 36 games over his five seasons with San Francisco, suggests the Seahawks view him as an option to replace Mike Morgan, an unrestricted free agent, as their starting strong-side linebacker.

Garvin, on the other hand, has primarily played special teams during his four NFL seasons. Undrafted out of West Virginia in 2013, he spent three years with Pittsburgh and played for Washington last season on a one-year deal worth $750,000. According to Pro Football Reference, he led the Steelers in special-teams snaps his first two seasons, he was sixth in 2015 when he played in only 12 games and he was second last season for the Redskins. The lone start of his career came as a rookie.

Garvin, 26, is listed at 6 feet 3 and 235 pounds.

He’s the 10th player the Seahawks have signed in free agency this year. The fact that three of them are linebackers doesn’t seem to bode well for Morgan’s chances of returning. He’s played the last two seasons on one-year deals worth $1 million apiece; Seattle has already signed Wilhoite for more and added two other linebackers.

The other linebackers on the Seahawks’ roster behind Wagner and Wright are Dewey McDonald, Kevin Pierre-Louis and Ronald Powell. Brock Coyle, a backup the last three seasons, signed with San Francisco after the Seahawks declined to tender him as a restricted free agent.

Brady Henderson

Rees Odhiambo, a 2016 third-round pick, will compete with Matt Tobin to start at left tackle. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Tom Cable: Rees Odhiambo, Matt Tobin are Seahawks’ preferred LT options

Tom Cable brought a bit of clarity to the Seahawks' plans at left tackle in the wake of George Fant's season-ending knee injury, saying Tuesday that Rees Odhiambo and newcomer Matt Tobin are the top two options.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks injury updates: George Fant set for surgery, K.J. Wright returns

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Monday that left tackle George Fant is expected to be back by next season from the knee injury that will sideline him in 2017.

7 years ago

Matt Tobin, 27, started 21 games over seasons with the Eagles. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks acquire OL Matt Tobin in trade with Eagles

The Seahawks have acquired offensive tackle Matt Tobin in a trade with the Eagles, making another move to shore up their offensive line after losing left tackle George Fant for the season.

7 years ago

Luke Joeckel played left tackle for his first three NFL seasons. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Luke Joeckel? Rees Odhiambo? A look at the Seahawks’ LT options with George Fant out for the season

The Seahawks need a new plan at left tackle with George Fant out for the season. Moving Luke Joeckel there is one option, writes Brady Henderson.

7 years ago

Michael Bennett on Justin Britt standing by his side during the national anthem Friday night: “I ...

Brady Henderson

Justin Britt stands by Michael Bennett during national anthem: ‘A very emotional moment’

Seahawks center Justin Britt showed his support for teammate Michael Bennett Friday night, standing by him as Bennett remained seated during the national anthem.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks’ George Fant needs ACL surgery, likely out for season

The Seahawks' offensive line was dealt a massive blow with left tackle George Fant suffering a knee injury Friday night that will likely keep him out all season.

7 years ago

Seahawks continue adding depth at LB with Terence Garvin