Report: Seahawks bringing back 2019 starting LG Mike Iupati

Apr 14, 2020, 3:02 PM | Updated: 3:08 pm

The Seahawks have reportedly re-signed 2019 starting LG Mike Iupati. (Getty)

(Getty)

Seattle Sports

The Seahawks are staying busy on the offensive line in free agency, and they’ll also apparently have some continuity on that front for 2020 as NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports that Seattle is re-signing Mike Iupati.

Huard: Brandon Shell will have biggest impact of Seahawks’ OL signings

The #Seahawks agreed to terms with veteran LG Mike Iupati, source said.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 14, 2020

Iupati, 32, started 15 games at left guard for the Seahawks last season after signing a one-year deal. He battled injuries throughout the season, mainly a neck injury, and he missed both of Seattle’s playoff games.

The NFC West has been Iupati’s home for his entire 10-year NFL career after being drafted in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2010. He played with the 49ers from 2010 to 2014 and then signed with the Arizona Cardinals, who he played for from 2015 to 2018 before joining the Seahawks.

With Iupati reportedly signed for the 2020 season, the Seahawks have four of the team’s 2019 Week 1 starting offensive line under contract for 2020 with Iupati joining left tackle Duane Brown, center Justin Britt and right guard D.J. Fluker. Germain Ifedi, who started every game at right tackle in 2019, signed with the Chicago Bears in free agency. Brandon Shell is expected to start at right tackle after signing a two-year deal in free agency after four years with the New York Jets.

Iupati’s deal continues a trend for the Seahawks as far as making moves on the offensive line. Shell was one of four offensive linemen the Seahawks signed from other teams in free agency this offseason.

One of those four, guard/center B.J. Finney was among the names thrown out there along with Jamarco Jones and Phil Haynes to take over for Iupati at left guard next year. Now, that may not be necessary and Finney could be Seattle’s starting center if they opt to cut Britt for cap purposes in order to make other moves.

Additionally, Seattle has also re-signed guard Jordan Simmons and gave a tender to center Joey Hunt. Now, the Seahawks have 16 offensive linemen ahead of next week’s NFL Draft, which starts on Thursday and ends on Saturday.

The Seahawks have seven picks going into next week’s draft, including three in the first two rounds, and it was thought that maybe the Seahawks draft an offensive linemen early. With so much depth added this offseason, that group may not be a big priority during the draft. That could lead to Seattle using more of its picks on the defensive line, which was one of the worst units in football against both the run and the pass.

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