Seahawks sign K John Lunsford to compete with Blair Walsh

When the Seahawks signed Blair Walsh last month, it was clear that they would add at least one more kicker through either free agency or the draft and create a competition to replace Stephen Hauschka.

That other kicker, at least for now, is John Lunsford. The Seahawks announced his signing on Wednesday along with that of safety Bradley McDougald, who was previously reported to have agreed to a one-year deal worth $2 million. Terms of Lunsford’s deal weren’t immediately available, but it’s presumably for one year and the minimum salary.

Seahawks 2017 free-agency tracker: Keep track of Seattle’s moves

Lunsford went undrafted in 2016 out Liberty University in Virginia, where he displayed a big leg but struggled with accuracy. He ended his four-year career with an FCS-record 12 field goals of 50 yards or longer, including a 60-yarder, according to his bio from last year’s scouting combine. But he only made just under 61 percent of his kicks. For context, the worst field-goal percentage for any NFL team last season was Tampa Bay’s 71 percent.

As a rookie, Lunsford spent time over the offseason and preseason with the 49ers. He signed a futures deal with Tampa Bay earlier this offseason and was waived this week when the Buccaneers signed veteran Nick Folk.

Lunsford’s signing by no means precludes the Seahawks from adding another kicker. Recall, for instance, that they looked at three long-snappers last offseason after releasing Clint Gresham before deciding on Nolan Frese. But for now, at least, it’s shaping up as a two-way competition between Walsh and Lunsford.

Lunsford and McDougald are the seventh and eighth outside free agent the Seahawks have signed in 2017. The others: Walsh, running back Eddie Lacy, offensive lineman Luke Joeckel, cornerback Perrish Cox, linebacker Arthur Brown and offensive lineman Oday Aboushi.

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