Gerald Everett has been a very good player in his four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.
After signing with the Seahawks this offseason, the veteran tight end is ready to show he can be even better in Year 5.
"Today, no I don't think I've really reached my peak, and definitely think that Russell (Wilson) and Seattle can assist me in doing so, along with Pete (Carroll) and Shane (Waldron). I definitely think I can take the next step in Seattle… I'm allowed to do more and more things each year I'm in the league, whether that be jet sweeps or screens or running the ball. I really don't know what that looks like, me taking the next step, because I really don't think I have a ceiling, honestly."
One reason Everett is so excited about his fit in Seattle is that he knows what new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is capable of when it comes to his football acumen. Waldron, who the Seahawks hired earlier this offseason, was Everett's tight ends coach in 2017, and most recently was the Rams' passing game coordinator, and Waldron coming to Seattle was definitely a factor in Everett's free-agent decision.
"Shane is a mastermind," Everett said. "He's very creative, and I can't wait to see what he's going to do in Seattle… When Shane went to Seattle, obviously the idea was there, it lingered in my head, but you also have to understand it's a business. Shane has definitely been pivotal in my career, been a mentor and a coach. He's definitely showed me the ropes, and of course we've had that tight-knit relationship since I've got in (the NFL) and it still remains. And yes, he was a factor in my decision to come to Seattle. But also, Seattle having a great organization and winning culture and great players like Russ and DK (Metcalf) and Bobby Wagner, and a bunch of other guys."
Another big cause for optimism for Everett is the presence of eight-time Pro-Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson, who as Everett notes is at a different level than any quarterback he has played with in the past.
"I haven't able to play with a quarterback like Russ up to this point in my career," Everett said. "I've had a different quarterback each place I've been, so to be able to play with a guy of Russ' caliber is really exciting to me."
And speaking of his new quarterback, Everett said he's already coordinating with Wilson to get together in San Diego with Wilson and DK Metcalf.
"Russ and I, we're actually coordinating now to get together in San Diego to start throwing around—me, him and DK," he said.
As for the type of player the Seahawks are getting in Everett, he says his versatility will be an asset to the offense.
"I would say the best part of my game would have to be the element of surprise," he said. "I can be a receiver, I can be a tight end, I can run the ball, I can pass pro, I can take the top off a defense. Seattle already has those all things in the offense, and I feel like I can only add more and be an addition to it."
A look back at tight end Gerald Everett's first four seasons in the NFL, spent with the Los Angeles Rams. Everett signed with the Seahawks on March 21, 2021. Read more: https://shwks.com/llh6u6
Former Los Angeles Rams player Jack Youngblood, left, announces South Alabama's Gerald Everett as the Rams' selection in the second round of the 2017 NFL football draft, Friday, April 28, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett is interviewed following the NFL football rookie minicamp at the team's practice facility in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Friday, May 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett, left, and Dallas Cowboys defensive back Nolan Carroll (24) pose for a picture after a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett can't keep his feet in, for an incomplete pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) catches a pass during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Los Angeles Rams' Gerald Everett (81) catches a pass in front of New York Giants' Landon Collins (21) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett runs against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, left, and Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett exchanges jerseys after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (18), tight end Gerald Everett (81), and center Austin Blythe (66) celebrate during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Jacob Gonzalez via AP)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Gerald Everett, de los Rams de Los Ángeles, se quita la marca de Daniel Sorensen, de los Chiefs de Kansas City, para anotar en el último cuarto del encuentro del lunes 19 de noviembre de 2018 (AP Foto/Marcio José Sánchez)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) catches the ball for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, in Los Angeles.(Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett watches against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (right) celebrates with defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman (23) following the NFL NFC Championship football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019 in New Orleans. (NFL Photos via AP)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) poses for a portrait on Media Day, Monday, June 10, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) runs against Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jamal Carter (35) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) scores against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) runs with the ball during a NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams defeated the Giants 17-9. (John McGillen via AP)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett, right, runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) gets hit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) runs onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Nov. 29, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) stands with teammates before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) stretches for the ball during a NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Jan. 03, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 18-7. (John McGillen via AP)
