SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Report: Germain Ifedi leaving Seahawks to sign with Chicago

Mar 25, 2020, 12:05 PM | Updated: 12:07 pm

Seahawks Germain Ifedi...

Seahawks starting right tackle Germain Ifedi is reportedly signing with the Bears. (Getty)

(Getty)

A Seahawks offensive starter has apparently found a new home, as Germain Ifedi will reportedly be signing with the Chicago Bears.

Moore: Ranking Seahawks’ 8 offseason acquisitions

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com was the first with the report, and Ifedi is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Bears.

The Seahawks drafted Ifedi with the 31st pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. Ifedi started his NFL career as a right guard in 2016, but transitioned to right tackle. That was similar to his college career, where he started as a guard before moving to right tackle later on due to first-round pick Jake Matthews entering the 2014 NFL Draft. Coincidentally, Idefi moved to right tackle so Cedric Ogbuehi, who recently signed with the Seahawks, could move from right tackle to left tackle due to Matthews’ departure.

Ifedi has failed to live up to his billing as a first-round selection, as he’s been heavily penalized and has been lackluster at times, especially in pass protection. During his four-year career, Ifedi has been penalized 46 times in 60 career regular season games.

While his play has been questioned, Ifedi is tough and durable, missing just four games out of 64 since entering the league in 2016.

The Seahawks declined Ifedi’s fifth-year option before the 2019 season, and after a flurry of offensive linemen signings last week, primarily Brandon Shell, whose contract of $11 million over two years would lead one to believe that he will take over at right tackle.

Ifedi becomes the fourth member of the 2019 Seahawks to be leaving in free agency, joining defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson (Buffalo), defensive lineman Al Woods (Jacksonville) and fellow offensive lineman George Fant, who got a three-year, $30 million payday from the New York Jets.

It’s interesting Fant got a deal worth over $13 million guaranteed while Ifedi’s deal is for one year and, as Rapoport noted, he may be moving back to guard, as Fant has just 24 career regular season starts to his name and missed all of 2017 with torn ACL.

With Ifedi’s departure, the two main question marks on the offensive line are at left guard and center.

Left tackle Duane Brown and right guard D.J. Fluker are both under contract for next season and are expected back. While center Justin Britt, who tore his ACL last season, is also under contract, he is seen as a potential cap casualty due to his high cap hit of roughly $9 million. Joey Hunt, Britt’s backup, was tendered, so he’s expected back, and the team signed guard/center B.J. Finney in free agency.

At left guard, Finney could start, and there’s also in-house options of Jamarco Jones, Phil Haynes and Jordan Simmons.

With moves on the offensive line seemingly set until we hit the draft in April, all eyes are on (if they weren’t already) how the Seahawks address the pass rush. The Seahawks have brought former first-round pick Bruce Irvin back to Seattle and re-signed Jarran Reed, but they’re making a push to bring back Jadeveon Clowney.

Follow 710Sports.com’s Brandon Gustafson on Twitter.

More Seahawks offseason coverage

Seahawks adding Dorsett has more meaning than just addressing a need
Gallant: Seahawks ahead of the curve with way coaching is trending in NFL
Huard: Seahawks could see Dunbar and Griffin competing for payday
Why Hawks would have ‘zero hesitation’ bringing back Josh Gordon
2020 offseason tracker: Signings, departures and more

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks Tremayne Anchrum Jr....

Brent Stecker

Seahawks add Tremayne Anchrum Jr to O-line in free agency

The Seattle Seahawks have made guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr. their third signing to the offensive line in free agency.

7 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Jerome Baker LB linebacker...

Brent Stecker

Huard: What Seahawks’ new LBs do better than Wagner, Brooks

The Seattle Seahawks have replaced Jordyn Brooks and Bobby Wagner with Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker. Brock Huard compares the two different duos.

11 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Pharaoh Brown...

Brent Stecker

GM Schneider believes Seahawks have ‘great fit’ in new TE combo

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider explains why he likes returning tight end Noah Fant and new signing Pharaoh Brown together.

23 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks George Fant...

Brent Stecker

What GM Schneider says plan is for Seahawks’ returning OL Fant

George Fant returns to the the Seattle Seahawks after four years as a starter for two other teams. So what's in store for him in 2024?

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft brock Bowers...

Brandon Gustafson

Analyst says Georgia TE Bowers ‘makes perfect sense’ for Seahawks

NFL Network's Bucky Brooks shares why he likes the idea of the Seattle Seahawks taking Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in the NFL Draft.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Jerome Backer free agency...

Brandon Gustafson

Seahawks sign linebacker Jerome Baker to 1-year deal

The Seattle Seahawks have another new linebacker joining the mix in Jerome Baker, who spent the last six years with the Dolphins.

2 days ago

Report: Germain Ifedi leaving Seahawks to sign with Chicago