Luke Willson, DeShawn Shead agree to 1-year deals with Seahawks

The Seahawks are bringing back two key free agents for next season after reaching agreements to re-sign tight end Luke Willson and cornerback DeShawn Shead to one-year deals.

Willson said in a Twitter video (above) that he will be in Seattle on Saturday “to make everything official,” while Shead’s representatives at Reign Sports acknowledged his signing.

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A fifth-round draft pick in 2012, Willson was an unrestricted free agent noted for his speed at the position. His return is great news for the Seahawks, who hoped to bring him back. In fact, Seattle had offered Willson a contract extension during the season, but the sides couldn’t reach an agreement.

Willson entered the market looking for a potential starting job after he was targeted 21 times in 2016 – a career-low – as Jimmy Graham returned from injury.

Willson’s deal could pay up to $3 million, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Shead, who will turn 28 before next season, was a starting outside cornerback for Seattle in 2016, completing a progression with the team that began as a practice squad player and included a role for multiple seasons as Seattle’s Swiss army knife who could fill in at both cornerback at safety.

Originally set to be a restricted free agent, he became an unrestricted free agent when Seattle didn’t tender him a contract after he suffered a torn ACL in January. General manager John Schneider recently said Shead would struggle to be healthy in time for the start of next season, though head coach Pete Carroll has said he has a chance to be back by Week 1.

Shead’s contract is worth up to $1.5 million, with $1 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports.

Brent Stecker contributed to this story.

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