Why Seahawks picked up Justin Britt’s option: ‘You can win with this guy’
Mar 20, 2018, 11:32 AM
Justin Britt hit his stride for the Seahawks when they moved him to center in 2016. (AP)
(AP)
The Seahawks have been fairly quiet since free agency started this offseason, adding four lesser-known players and re-signing safety Bradley McDougald last week. But on Monday, they made a move that despite not being a big headline does has a big impact for the team’s core.
Follow all offseason: Seahawks free-agency tracker
Seattle exercised a 2020 option on Justin Britt, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson, meaning the center will be with the Seahawks for three more seasons on his current contract.
Brock Huard of 710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock and Salk explained Tuesday why the Seahawks were smart to exercise the option.
“Because there’s more in the tank for Justin Britt,” Huard said. “He’s been unbelievably dependable and durable. He’s missed one game in four years. He’s played three different positions.”
After bouncing around the line for a few years in Seattle, Britt found his stride when the Seahawks put him at center. The results were quick, as Britt was a Pro Bowl alternate in his first year at the position in 2016, and he was just as good last season.
Huard said new Seahawks offensive line coach Mike Solari likely had a lot to do with the Seahawks picking up Britt’s option.
“There is no doubt that Mike Solari said ‘You can win with this guy.’ And I believe that,” he said. “(Britt) is one tough sucker. He doesn’t miss games. He plays with tremendous leverage and I think will be very good with a versatile running game that Mike Solari is gonna bring to the table.”
You can hear the full conversation, plus thoughts on Seahawks running back Chris Carson and what will solidify Seattle’s run game, in this podcast of Tuesday’s Blue 42 segment from Brock and Salk.
