Report: Seahawks add guard/center Austin Blythe to O-line
Mar 16, 2022, 1:26 PM
Austin Blythe of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a team scrimmage at SoFi Stadium. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Seahawks have reportedly brought in an offensive lineman their coaching staff has plenty of familiarity. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday afternoon that Austin Blythe, who has starting experience at guard and center, is signing with Seattle.
Seahawks offseason tracker: Free agents, trades and more
The deal between Blythe and the Seahawks is for one year at $4 million, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo.
Blythe, 29, started his career with the Indianapolis Colts as a 2016 seventh-round pick before joining the Los Angeles Rams in 2017. He started one game for the Rams in 2017 before becoming their full-time right guard for 2018 and 2019, starting 31 regular season games those two years. That included the Rams’ 2018 Super Bowl run.
Blythe returned for Los Angeles in 2020 and started every game at center in part because starter Brian Allen missed the entire season. Blythe then signed a one-year deal in 2021 with the Kansas City Chiefs but only played 12 snaps last season.
Blythe’s signing reunites him with two of his former Rams coaches – Shane Waldron and Andy Dickerson.
Waldron, Seattle’s offensive coordinator, was the passing game coordinator for Los Angeles from 2018-20 while Dickerson, a former Rams assistant offensive line coach, is the new Seahawks offensive line coach after serving as run game coordinator in 2021.
Blythe is the first offensive line move the Seahawks have made this offseason, and he figures to be the favorite to start at center between incumbent guards Damien Lewis and Gabe Jackson. Starting offensive tackles Duane Brown and Brandon Shell are unrestricted free agents, as are 2021 starting centers Ethan Pocic and Kyle Fuller.
With the reported addition of Blythe, the Seahawks have signed or re-signed a total of seven players in free agency, but only Blythe and tight end re-signing Will Dissly play on offense.
The Seahawks traded quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, so Blythe likely will be snapping footballs to Wilson’s successor.
Rost: The complicated legacy Russell Wilson leaves with Seahawks
