Seahawks Free Agency 2019: Arizona Cardinals to sign guard J.R. Sweezy

For the second time in his career, J.R. Sweezy will depart the Seattle Seahawks in free agency.

Ian Rapoport has the scoop the Sweezy, Seattle’s starting left guard in 2018, is set to remain in the NFC West by going to the Arizona Cardinals.

This post will be updated with details on the money when they become available.

Arizona has been beefing up its beleaguered offensive line, having notably traded for Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Marcus Gilbert earlier this month.

Sweezy began his career with the Seahawks in 2012, becoming a regular starting guard through the 2015 season. In 2016, Sweezy signed a five-year, $32.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but injuries limited his playing time and the Bucs released him in 2018. The Seahawks picked him up before the start of preseason, and he soon found himself as the starting left guard.

With Sweezy gone, this may be a sign that the Seahawks are comfortable with Jordan Simmons being a starter next season. Simmons unfortunately has a deep injury history that includes missing the end of 2018 due to a knee problem, but when he filled in for D.J. Fluker (who remains unsigned), he performed arguably above expectations.

As for how this affects Seattle’s comp picks for 2020, with Mike Davis, Shamar Stephen, and Justin Coleman going to other teams, the Seahawks are currently at the maximum of four.