Report: Seahawks add former Chargers pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu
Mar 16, 2022, 11:33 AM
Uchenna Nwosu #42 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates his interception with Justin Jones. (Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How/Getty Images)
The Seahawks entered the 2022 offseason needing to add to their pass rush and they did that by adding versatile linebacker/edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu to a two-year deal according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
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According to Schefter, Nwosu moves north along the West Coast to Seattle on a two-year deal worth up to $20 million, with $10.5 million guaranteed.
Nwosu, 25, was a second-round pick for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018 after playing collegiately at USC. The 6 foot 2, 250-pound defender has 15 career sacks (9.5 the last two years) in 62 games as well as 45 QB hits and 21 tackles for loss.
UCHENNA NWOSU!! The rookie ends the game and secures the playoff victory for the Chargers!
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/4p0klJmpET
— PFF (@PFF) January 6, 2019
He also recorded an interception in 2021.
UCHENNA NWOSU TAKES IT BACK FOR LA. #BoltUp
📺: #KCvsLAC on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
📱: https://t.co/yEB6Ii5nMh pic.twitter.com/uaYaqPXTZa— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2021
Nwosu is listed as an outside linebacker, but he has spent the bulk of his time with the Chargers as a pass rusher. The Seahawks have a need not just for edge rushers, but linebackers as well with middle linebacker Bobby Wagner’s release and Jordyn Brooks and Cody Barton being the only two linebackers on the roster with major NFL experience.
At the NFL Scouting Combine last month, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters that the Seahawks want versatility with some of their edge players in terms of being able to drop into coverage as a linebacker, bringing up 2020 second-round pick Darrell Taylor when saying that. Nwosu certainly checks that box in that regard, and would seem to be a top candidate to see time not just as an edge defender, but also as a strongside (SAM) linebacker. The Seahawks have had players in that hybrid role before, namely 2012 first-round pick Bruce Irvin.
Nwosu is the second outside free agent to reportedly sign with the Seahawks, joining cornerback Artie Burns, who comes to Seattle from the Chicago Bears. Burns played for associate head coach Sean Desai in Chicago. While Nwosu doesn’t have a clear Seattle connection like Burns, he did play the first three years of his NFL career under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, who had that same role with the Seahawks from 2009 to 2012.
