Seahawks sign defensive tackle Poona Ford to 2-year extension

The Seahawks appear to be getting things in order on their defense.

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Shortly after reports that they were signing cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon away from the San Francisco 49ers in free agency, news broke that they were in agreement on a two-year contract extension with starting defensive tackle Poona Ford.

Seattle made the extension official Wednesday.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday afternoon that the Seahawks would sign Ford to a two-year deal worth $14 million with incentives, and that he will make more money in 2021 than he would have received as a restricted free agent with a second-round tender this offseason.

The #Seahawks are re-signing NT Poona Ford to a two-year deal that can be worth close to $14 million with incentives, per source. Ford gets over $4.4M in 2021 — more than the second-round tender — with a chance for bigger money in 2022 and free agency in 2023, when he'll be 27.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 17, 2021

Ford, 25, joined the Seahawks out of Texas as an undrafted rookie in 2018, earning his way to playing time in 11 games that year, including one start. He blossomed into a strong run-stuffing tackle, playing 15 games and becoming the starter at the position in 2019. He played and started all 16 games for Seattle last season.

The 5-foot-11, 310-pound Ford had two sacks, 40 combined tackles, 25 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits and a forced fumble in 2020, all career-high marks.

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