SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks free-agent DL Quinton Jefferson reportedly signing with Bills

Mar 17, 2020, 6:54 PM | Updated: 7:30 pm

Former Seahawks DT Quinton Jefferson...

Quinton Jefferson started 12 of the 14 games he played for the Seahawks in 2019. (AP)

(AP)

The Seahawks retained one of their starting defensive linemen by re-signing Jarran Reed on Monday night, but they apparently are losing another in free agency.

Why have the Seahawks been so quiet at the start of free agency?

Defensive end/defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson is joining the Buffalo Bills on a two-year deal, according to a report by NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Tuesday night.

Jefferson, who will turn 27 later this month, had 3.5 sacks, 26 combined tackles, 10 quarterback hits, a fumble recovery and three passes defensed in 14 games in 2019, 12 of which he started.

Jefferson acknowledged the news with a tweet Tuesday night thanking Seattle.

Buffalo reportedly followed up by agreeing to terms with fellow free-agent defensive tackle Vernon Butler on Tuesday night, according to Rapoport.

Jefferson was a fifth-round selection by Seattle in the 2016 NFL Draft out of the University of Maryland. He appeared in just nine games in his first two seasons, all with Seattle even though he spent time on and off the Los Angeles Rams roster and practice squad in 2017 after being claimed from Seattle on waivers. He found his footing in 2018, however, playing in all 16 games, including 12 starts. He had three sacks, 25 combined tackles, 15 QB hits, two passes defensed and a fumble recovery that season.

The legal tampering period of NFL free agency ends Wednesday, when the new league year begins and teams can officially sign free agents.

Follow 710Sports.com’s Brent Stecker on Twitter.

More Seahawks free agency coverage

Seahawks offseason tracker: Signings, departures and more
Clayton: Some dominoes fall in Seahawks’ favor in Clowney pursuit
O’Neil: Seahawks in same spot as 2013, but it’s not as easy this time
Huard: Seahawks signing Reed ‘didn’t move me,’ priority must be Clowney
Hawks reportedly bring back TE Luke Willson
Seahawks reportedly lose George Fant to Jets in free agency

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