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Another in-division free agent signing by the Seattle Seahawks, this time on the offensive end.
On Wednesday the team agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Rams backup tight end Gerald Everett to a one-year, $7 million contract with $6 million fully guaranteed.
With Greg Olsen’s retirement and Jacob Hollister a free agent, Seattle’s TE position was expected to be addressed considering they only had Will Dissly, Colby Parkinson, and Tyler Mabry on the roster prior to the Everett signing.
This move perhaps comes as no surprise given the hiring of Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator. The 26-year-old Everett posted career highs in receptions (41) and yards (417) in 2020, although he only had two total touchdowns. Serving as a backup to Tyler Higbee, Everett has played in all but three games in his four seasons in the league and has been one of the YAC monsters in Sean McVay’s system.
Best part of adding Gerald Everett to Seattle's passing game? His ability to create after the catch. He averaged 5.6 yards after the catch per reception last year, the fourth most among tight ends with at least 40 targets.
— Corbin Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) March 18, 2021
Everett also has been a serviceable blocker. He played more snaps as an in-line blocker the last two years than he did in his first two seasons. Not great grades on PFF, but he did have the third-highest run blocking grade for tight ends in 2018.
— Corbin Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) March 18, 2021
Obviously the bigger move of the day for the Seahawks was trading for guard Gabe Jackson from the Las Vegas Raiders, but this is the first player acquisition with Shane Waldron ties for Seattle.
This week the Seahawks also signed former 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to a one-year contract, so their first two free agency moves have been within the NFC West, and maybe there’s more to come.