Report: Seahawks to sign S Bradley McDougald to 1-year deal
Mar 22, 2017, 7:55 AM | Updated: 10:12 am
Bradley McDougald started all 16 games last year and had the late interception in the Bucs' win over Seattle. (AP)
(AP)
The Seahawks are reportedly adding depth to their secondary by signing former Buccaneers safety Bradley McDougald. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Wednesday morning that Seattle is giving McDougald a one-year deal worth $2 million. He reportedly visited the Seahawks last week.
Seahawks 2017 free-agency tracker: Keep track of Seattle’s moves
McDougald, 26, went undrafted out of Kansas in 2013 and has started 31 games over the last two seasons. He has notched 178 tackles, 14 passes defended and four interceptions during that span, including the game-sealing interception in the Buccaneers’ win over Seattle in November. He’s listed at 6 feet 1 and 209 pounds.
Seattle’s backup safeties last season – Kelcie McCray, Steven Terrell and Jeron Johnson – are all unrestricted free agents while another, rookie Tyvis Powell, was claimed by Cleveland after being waived. The Seahawks were previously linked to former Cowboys safety J.J. Wilcox, who signed with Tampa Bay.
710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny O’Neil called McDougald a good addition.
“No one expects him to start,” O’Neil told “Seattle’s Morning News” on Wednesday. “This is a guy that’s going to provide some quality depth and we saw what happened last year to the Seahawks when Earl Thomas got injured.”
Although McDougald is listed as a free safety, O’Neil said he looks more like a strong safety, though the safety positions are somewhat interchangeable in Seattle’s system. O’Neil said that, more than anything, the Seahawks likely look at McDougald as a potential core special teams player who can provide depth and perhaps more in the future.
“Honestly, you’ve got to look ahead a little bit,” O’Neil said. “Kam Chancellor is scheduled to be a free agent after next season. The fact that this is a one-year contract for $2 million means it’s come here, get him familiar with the system and see if you like him long-term.”
McDougald is the seventh outside free agent the Seahawks have signed in 2017. The others: running back Eddie Lacy, offensive lineman Luke Joeckel, cornerback Perrish Cox, kicker Blair Walsh, linebacker Arthur Brown and offensive lineman Oday Aboushi.
Brady Henderson contributed to this story.
