The early free agency period has welcomed several new faces to Seattle, including the addition of former New York Giants safety Julian Love. Here are a few things to know about the Notre Dame alum:
Fitting In: Team Captain
Over the last four seasons with the Giants, Love exhibited the leadership qualities on and off the field that will help him fit right in with Seattle. Throughout his four-year career, Love has had to make adjustments to his game and in his personal life to continue to elevate. After being selected by New York in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, the former cornerback made the transition to free safety. In his rookie year, the Westchester native lost his childhood friends, Joey Ramos and Tony Lemon to a tragic car accident just a week before facing his hometown Chicago Bears. Despite the Giants falling 19-14, Love nabbed his first-career interception in front of hometown fans - in the honor of his late friends.
Love’s progression through the years with New York didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named team captain before the 2022 season. Emotions overtook the versatile safety as he discussed the honor at the Giants training camp.
"I'm not going to lie; it means an awful lot to me," said Love. "I've never been a captain in my entire life, and to do it for the Giants of all places at the highest level, it's hard not to get emotional about it. It's often that I feel like people have always wanted me to be more outspoken, to be the rah-rah guy, to be the muscle-head, all that stuff. But this team has appreciated me for staying true to myself. So, I'm extremely grateful."
Giving Back: Reaching the Youth
Inspire Change is the NFL’s social justice initiative, dedicated to using the league's platform to create opportunities for youth across America. In 2022, Love and former New York Giant wideout Darius Slayton collaborated with the Far Rockaway Giants youth program, sponsored by the New York Police Foundation. The afterschool program balances fun activities with mentorship and community building with local law enforcement to strengthen relationships. Love was part of a group of Giants selected to travel to the Queens neighborhood to share encouragement for children in need - along with having some fun. The pair were joined by kicker Graham Gano in February in wearing specialized cleats dedicated to the Far Rockaway Giants program.
A Year For The Books
2022 was a career-year for the fourth-year safety, as Love recorded a career-high 124 combined tackles. Starting 16 games for the Giants, Love recorded four games of 10 or more tackles. In addition to forcing and recovering a fumble, the Notre Dame alum nabbed two interceptions, along with five passes defensed and three tackles for loss.
In addition to a career-best 70.9 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus for 2022, Love's 78.2 tackling grade marks a three consecutive year rise.
Mr. Versatile
Love’s ability to provide run support as well as make plays in coverage make him a valuable incoming asset to Seattle’s defense. The 2019 Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist played the nickel corner at Notre Dame, before refining his skills and earning the starting free safety job for the Giants. But Love's position on the depth chart doesn't truly define his ability to roam the secondary at a number of spots. In 2022, Love played 1,363 snaps for New York, with 578 lined up at free safety. For 296 of those snaps, Love was lined up in the box; and for 170 snaps he moved to slot corner. On 52 snaps, Love moved down to the line of scrimmage on the defensive line.
Take a look at photos of safety Julian Love from his first four seasons in the NFL, as well as his time in college at Notre Dame. Love signed with the Seahawks as a free agent on March 17, 2023. Read more.
Notre Dame's Julian Love (27) intercepts a pass and runs it back 69 yards for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 35-14. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame cornerback Julian Love, left, is tackled by Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Ball State running back Caleb Huntley, center, is tackled by Notre Dame defensive line Daelin Hayes, left, linebacker Drue Tranquill, and cornerback Julian Love, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Adetokunbo Ogundeji (91) celebrates a play with Julian Love (27) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State in South Bend, Ind.,Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
New York Giants' Julian Love (37) runs a drill with teammates during an NFL football minicamp at the team's training facility Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (37) reacts after Chicago Bears quarterback Chase Daniel (4) recovered his own fumble in the end zone for a safety during the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (37) watches from the sideline in the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (24) is tacked by Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) after an interception during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (24) during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) runs up the field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The New York Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 13-7. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants' Julian Love reacts after recovering a fumble during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Julian Love after an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) gestures to the fans after an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The New York Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 13-7. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants cornerback Julian Love (20) gestures during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
New York Giants' Julian Love speaks to reporters after a practice at the NFL football team's training facility in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Julian Love speaks to reporters after a practice at the NFL football team's training facility in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants safety Julian Love signs an autograph for a fan after the NFL football team's practice in East Rutherford, N.J., Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) celebrates after the Giants defeated the Tennessee Titans 21-20 in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) defends against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Julian Love (20) reacts during the second half an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) takes the field to face the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) wears decals of the American and Cuban flags on his helmet during an NFL football game, against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) arrives before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. The New York Giants won 27-22. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) huddles with teammates against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) intercepts the ball intended for Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard (42) during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) returns an interception over Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20), left, and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Kendric Pryor (14) pose after an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams, right, celebrates with Julian Love (20) after intercepting a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants defensive back Julian Love (20) returns an interception during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) intercepts a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) takes the field for an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, December 12, 2022 in Landover. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) in action against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) talks with New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) after an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 27-24. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) warms up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) leaves the field after winning 31-24 against the Minnesota Vikings following an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
