SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Ex-Seahawks TE Luke Willson signs one-year deal with Lions

Mar 21, 2018, 8:47 AM | Updated: 10:20 am

Luke Wilson...

Tight end Luke Willson has reportedly signed a one-year deal with Detroit. (AP)

(AP)

Seattle saw another free agent depart Wednesday: longtime Seahawks tight end Luke Willson is heading to the NFC North.

Willson signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Lions, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

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Willson said his goodbyes to Seattle on Instagram Tuesday night.

“As my time in Seattle comes to end and I reflect on the past 5 years, I am filled with gratitude,” he wrote. “All I can say is thank you.

“Pete Carroll and John Schiender thank you guys for believing in a Canadian kid from Rice university. My coaches especially my TE coach Pat Mcpherson thank you. To everyone involved in the Seahawks organization from my boys in the EQ room, to the food services, strength coaches, PR, and the entire 3rd floor of the VMAC thank you. These last 5 years have been a dream come true.”

On Wednesday, Willson tweeted he was going for a “little drive this morning!” with an image of a Google map route beginning in his hometown of LaSalle, Ontario and ending in Detroit, which are separated by under 12 miles.

Willson played in 16 games in 2017, and recorded 15 receptions for 153 yards and four touchdowns. He was a 2013 draft pick who helped lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship his rookie season. In five years with Seattle, Willson recorded 89 receptions for 1,129 yards and 11 touchdowns, plus another 13 receptions for 154 yards and one touchdown in nine postseason games.

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