- QB Sam Darnold
- WR Cooper Kupp
- DE DeMarcus Lawrence
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- OL Josh Jones
- CB Shemar Jean-Charles
- WR River Cracraft
- S D'Anthony Bell
- TE Eric Saubert
- WR Steven Sims
- LB Ernest Jones IV
- DT Jarran Reed
- CB Josh Jobe
- WR Cody White
- LB Josh Ross
- TE Brady Russell (exclusive rights free agent)
- T Stone Forsythe (Giants)
- CB Tre Brown (49ers)
- TE Pharaoh Brown (Dolphins)
- G Laken Tomlinson (Texans)
- CB Artie Burns (Miami)
With free agency underway, here at Seahawks.com, we'll be tracking all the Seahawks' comings and goings in free agency, and will update this article as moves become official throughout the next couple of weeks.
The Seahawks got a head start on free agency by retaining a couple of key players set to become free agents, most notably two of their top defensive players, signing linebacker Ernest Jones IV and defensive tackle Jarran Reed to multi-year deals on Monday. The Seahawks also re-signed cornerback Josh Jobe, who was set to become a restricted free agent, last week.
Prior to the start of the new league year, the Seahawks made several moves to free up cap space, parting ways with a franchise icon, receiver Tyler Lockett, as well as several other veteran players, releasing tackle George Fant, outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones, safety Rayshawn Jenkins and defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris.
Free Agent Additions
What it means: After trading Geno Smith to the Raiders, the Seahawks needed a new starting quarterback, and they wasted little time addressing that position, signing Sam Darnold, a Pro-Bowler who was widely considered one of the best free agents available in this year's class.
Darnold, 27, is coming off the best season of his career, having earned Pro-Bowl honors after throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while helping lead the Vikings to a 14-3 record.
In Seattle, Darnold will be reunited with new Seahawks offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak. The two also worked together in San Francisco in 2023 when Kubiak was the 49ers' passing game coordinator and Darnold was the backup to Brock Purdy on a team that reached the Super Bowl.
Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft out of USC, started 38 games over his first three seasons before being traded to the Panthers in 2021. He then started 15 games over two seasons with Carolina before signing with the 49ers in 2023. Much like the quarterback he is replacing in Seattle, Geno Smith, Darnold had an up-and-down start to his NFL career, which like Smith's, also began with the Jets. And much like Smith, Darnold was able to thrive when put in a good situation, enjoying a breakout 2024 campaign with the Vikings on the way to his first Pro-Bowl selection and a career-best 102.5 passer rating. In Seattle, Darnold will operate in a Kubiak-led offense that will have similarities to the one he thrived in with the Vikings, as Kubiak and Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell are both part of the extensive Shanahan/West Coast Offense coaching tree that is so prevalent in today's NFL.
What it means: Kupp will join the Seahawks after an eight-year career with the Rams that saw him catch 634 passes for 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns, including a 2021 season in which he led the league in receptions (143) receiving yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16) on his way to first-team All-Pro and Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Kupp, 31, earned Super Bowl MVP honors that same season while catching 33 passes for 478 yards and six touchdowns in four postseason games.
Kupp was limited to 12 games last season due to an ankle injury, but was still productive when healthy, recording 67 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns. In Seattle, Kupp will help lead a new-look receiver group following the offseason departures of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, a group that includes 2024 Pro-Bowl selection Jaxon Smith-Njigba and recent free-agent addition Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Prior to entering the NFL as a third-round pick, Kupp had a record-setting career at Eastern Washington, piling up 428 receptions, 6,464 yards and 73 touchdowns over four seasons, all of which stand as NCAA FCS records.
What it means: The Seahawks already like their defensive line talent, but it never hurts to add more at that all-important spot, so they made a big move this week to sign four-time Pro-Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who spent his entire 11-year career in Dallas.
Lawrence will add experience and playmaking to a defensive front that already includes Boye Mafe, Derick Hall and Uchenna Nwosu, as well as disruptive interior players like Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Byron Murphy II.
In Seattle, Lawrence will also be reunited in Seattle with defensive coordinator Aden Durde, who was Dallas' defensive line coach from 2021-2023, with Lawrence making the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023. The 6-foot-3, 254-pound Lawrence has 61.5 career sacks, including a career-best 14.5 in 2017 when he earned second-team All-Pro and Pro-Bowl honors, but he's more than just a pass-rush specialist. Also known for his run-stopping ability, Lawrence has a 91.0 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus over the past two seasons, the third highest mark among edge defenders in the league over that span.
Lawrence saw his 2024 season limited to just four games due to a foot injury, but he started all 17 games each of the previous two seasons, earning Pro-Bowl honors both years while totaling 115 tackles, 10 sacks, 19 tackles for loss 21 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nine passes defensed.
What it means: Marquez Valdes-Scantling gives the Seahawks another big-play threat to their offense, and he also comes to Seattle familiar with the new offensive scheme, having played under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak in New Orleans last year.
A former fifth-round pick out of the University of South Florida, Valdes-Scantling has averaged 17.4 yards per reception over the course of a seven-year career, and 11 of his 20 career touchdown receptions have been 40 yards or longer. The 6-foot-4 Valdes-Scantling spent his first four seasons in Green Bay before going to Kansas City, where he won a pair of Super Bowl titles. He then signed with Buffalo last season and played sparingly before being released, then enjoyed a strong second half of the season after joining the New Orleans Saints.
What it means: Jones gives the Seahawks versatile offensive line depth and starting experience having played all over the line in stints with the Cardinals, Texans and Ravens.
A third-round pick of the Cardinals in 2020, Jones started 12 of 17 games in his second season in the NFL, primarily playing right guard, then started nine more games in 2022, playing left tackle. Jones was then traded to Houston before the 2023 season, appearing in 13 games with three starts, then signed with the Ravens last year, seeing most of his playing time as a sixth lineman. Jones provides the versatility to give the Seahawks depth throughout their line, and also is a quality option for the swing tackle role they envisioned veteran George Fant holding down last season before he unfortunately suffered a knee injury in the season opener.
What it means: Jean-Charles, who most recently played for the Saints, gives the Seahawks cornerback depth and potential special teams help as well.
Jean-Charles, 26, came into the league as a fifth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers. He spent his first two seasons with the Packers, appearing in 20 games, primarily on special teams, then joined the 49ers in 2023, appearing in five games before joining the Saints' practice squad later that season and appearing in three games. Jean-Charles appeared in nine games for the Saints, starting two games while recording his first career interception, two passes defensed and 14 tackles.
What it means: Cracraft, who had 218 receptions for 2,701 yards and 20 touchdowns during his time at Washington State, began his NFL career on Denver's practice squad in 2017, then made his regular-season debut for the Broncos in 2018, appearing in eight games with one catch for 44 yards. Cracraft also spent two seasons with the 49ers and three with the Dolphins, and over seven seasons he has appeared in 53 games with two starts, totaling 32 receptions for 374 yards and three touchdowns.
Cracraft also returned punts for Denver and San Francisco at times, gaining 80 yards on 17 returns, and he also returned three kickoffs for Denver in 2018, gaining 43 yards.
What it means: The addition of Bell, who spent the past three seasons with the Browns after going undrafted out of West Florida in 2022, gives the Seahawks added depth at safety as well as a playmaker on special teams.
In three seasons with Cleveland, Bell appeared in 50 games with seven starts, and recorded 61 tackles, two interceptions, four passes defensed and a forced fumble. He also Bell piled up 1,001 special teams snaps, including 85 percent of the Browns' special teams snaps last season. Bell made 28 tackles on special teams over the past three seasons, the most on the team over that span, and his 15 special teams tackles in 2024 ranked fourth in the league.
Bell, who is 6-foot-1, 211 pounds, should also have a chance to compete for playing time on defense in the third safety role in Mike Macdonald's defense, a position held last year by first by K'Von Wallace, who is currently a free agent, then later in the season by Rayshawn Jenkins, who was released earlier this month in a salary-cap related move.
What it means: Saubert, a fifth-round pick out of Drake in 2017, gives the Seahawks added tight end depth after losing Pharaoh Brown in free agency. Saubert began his career with the Falcons, then later spent time with Chicago, Jacksonville, Denver, Dallas, Houston and San Francisco.
Saubert appeared in all 17 games last season, starting three, while recording 11 receptions for 97 yards and one touchdown, and he also played 67 percent of his team's special teams snaps. For his career, Saubert has appeared in 101 games with 19 starts, recording 47 receptions for 389 yards and three touchdowns while also being a special teams mainstay in each of his NFL stops.
What it means: Sims gives the Seahawks receiving depth while also providing an option at the kick and punt return spots. Sims, who went undrafted out of Kansas in 2019, began his career with Washington, and has also played for Pittsburgh, Houston and Baltimore.
As a receiver, Sims has 78 career catches for 704 yards and five touchdowns, as well as 25 carries for 174 yards and a 65-yard touchdown, but he has really made his mark in the NFL as a returner. Over the course of 53 career regular-season games, Sims has 74 punt returns for 462 yards, as well as 62 kick returns for 819 yards, including a 91-yard touchdown that helped him earn NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors as a rookie. Sims also returned a punt for a 67-yard touchdown in a Divisional Round playoff game two seasons ago as a member of the Texans.
Free Agents Retained
What it means: Re-signing Jones was a top priority for the Seahawks this offseason, which is no surprise given what he meant to defense after arriving in a midseason trade. Jones, who recorded 94 tackles, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one interception in 10 games after the trade, played a big role in Seattle's midseason defensive turnaround. And now with a multi-year deal done, the 25-year-old Jones will be a centerpiece of Macdonald's defense moving forward.
"He's a great player and there's a poise to how he operates, which I respect," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said late last season. "I think the guy loves football. Those are the guys that do really well here. He would do great in a lot of organizations, probably every organization, but I think he's a great fit here. We love him, and I think he loves it here too. It's been great so far."
What it means: By keeping Reed, the Seahawks are retaining not just a talented interior lineman, but also an important veteran leader on that side of the ball.
Reed, a second-round pick for the Seahawks in 2016, has spent seven of his nine seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks, returning in 2023 after two seasons in Kansas City and Green Bay, and has been a big contributor each of the past two seasons, totaling 11.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 27 quarterback hits in 33 games. Reed also appeared in his 100th game as a Seahawk last season, making him one of 50 players in franchise history to hit that benchmark.
By re-signing on a multi-year deal, Reed took a step closer to his goal of finishing his career where it began.
"Of course, I want to stay," Reed said last season. "I want to retire here. I mean, I've been here basically my whole career except for two years. Like I said earlier, this is home, man. So I would definitely like to end it off here however long that may be."
What it means: The Seahawks retained a key contributor to their secondary by re-signing Jobe, a player who emerged as a starter after beginning the year on the practice squad.
Jobe, who went undrafted out of Alabama spent his first two seasons with the Eagles before signing to Seattle's practice squad prior to the start of last season. Injuries at cornerback gave Jobe an opportunity, and he played well enough to keep his spot even after other players returned from injury.
From Week 7 on, Jobe started six of the Seahawks' final 10 games, one of several changes made throughout the season on defense that helped spark a turnaround on that side of the ball, and he played at least half of Seattle defensive snaps in all 10 of those games, finishing the year with seven passes defensed, an interception and 37 tackles, all career highs.
"I'm very excited to be back," Jobe said after signing. "I felt like I had a breakout season last year, and I've got to keep it going. I'm not done yet; I've still got more to prove."
What it means: Re-signing White, a player who showed flashes as a pass-catcher and special teams player in limited opportunities last season, gives the Seahawks added depth with playmaking upside heading into 2025.
White, who went undrafted out of Michigan State in 2020, spent time with the Chiefs, Giants, Broncos and Steelers before signing to Seattle's practice squad during the 2023 season. Making his Seahawks debut in Week 9 as a practice squad elevation, White recorded two catches for 44 yards while also blocking a punt. That performance, as well as his work in practice, earned White a promotion to the 53-man roster in November.
What it means: Ross, who the Seahawks claimed off waivers from Baltimore last season, appeared in 10 games for Seattle, playing 67 percent of the team's special teams snaps and recording four tackles.
Ross went undrafted out of Michigan in 2022 then signed with Baltimore, meaning that before joining the Seahawks, he had already played for Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald both in college, when Macdonald was the defensive coordinator at Michigan in 2021, and in the NFL with the Ravens.
What it means: By keeping Russell, who was an exclusive rights free agent, the Seahawks are not just bolstering their tight end depth, they're also retaining a core special teams player who has been a leader in that phase of the game since joining the Seahawks early in the 2023 season. Russell, who has appeared in 26 games since Seattle signed him off Philadelphia's practice squad in 2023, could also be an option at fullback, having played limited snaps in that role when healthy last season.
Free Agent Departures
What it means: The Giants agreed to terms with Forsythe on Wednesday, adding the former Seahawks tackle who started 14 games, including five at right tackle last season. Forsythe gave the Seahawks versatile tackle depth behind starters Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas the past few seasons, something they'll need to add this offseason having also released veteran tackle George Fant.
What it means: Brown, a 2021 draft pick, saw a promising start to his career derailed by injury, and over his first two seasons he appeared in just 11 games with three starts. Brown appeared in 28 games over the past two games, starting 10, and in his four seasons he had eight passes defense, two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and two forced fumbles. Brown made made contributions on special teams, so while the Seahawks do return their top three corners from the end of last season in Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe, the loss of Brown does mean the Seahawks will likely need to address depth at that position at some point to add to a group that also includes, among others, 2024 draft pick Nehemiah Pritchett.
What it means: Brown departs after one year with the Seahawks, a season in which he caught eight passes for 65 yards in 15 games. Known more as a blocking tight end than a pass catcher, Brown's physical presence in the run game and on special teams was a factor, but with AJ Barner emerging as a rookie as a well-rounded tight end to complement the skillset of Noah Fant, the Seahawks still like what they have at tight end, a group that also includes Brady Russell, even with Brown moving on.
What it means: Tomlinson started every game at left guard last season, so that leaves the Seahawks with a starting spot they need to fill. Tomlinson also provided valuable leadership as a 10-year vet, who, coming out of the 2024 season, has started 155 games in his career. The Seahawks will almost certainly add to their interior line in free agency and/or the draft, but there are also plenty of young in-house options to compete for the starting job at both guard spots, including three recent draft picks who saw playing time at guar last year, Anthony Bradford, Sataoa Laumea and Christian Haynes.
What it means: Burns, a veteran cornerback and former first-round pick, is returning to his hometown after three seasons in Seattle. While Burns never established himself as a regular starter in Seattle, he provided valuable depth, initially as an outside corner then later at nickel corner after transitioning to that role in 2023. With Burns and Tre Brown both moving on, the Seahawks will look to add depth to that position group in free agency and/or the draft.
Check out every Seahawks' roster move for the 2025 season. (Updated on April 9, 2025)
Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna (92) was signed to a future contact on January 6, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Ryan Cooper (35) was signed to a future contract on January 6, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Michael Dowell (46) was signed to a future contract on January 6, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Tyler Hall (33) was signed to a future contract on January 6, 2025.
Seahawks center Mike Novitsky was signed to a future contract on January 6, 2025.
Seahawks defensive end Kenneth Odumegwu (77) was signed to a future contract on January 6, 2025.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) was signed to a future contract on January 6, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Cornell Powell (0) was signed to a future contract on January 6, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (44) was signed to a future contract on January 6, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Tyreke Smith (59) was signed to a future contract on January 6, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Damarion Williams (37) was signed to a future contract on January 6, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback JT Woods was signed to future contract on January 17, 2025.
Seahawks guard Sala Aumavae-Laulu was signed to a future contract on February 2, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Ryan Cooper was released on February 21, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Cornell Powell was released on February 21, 2025.
Seahawks tackle George Fant (74) was released on March 4, 2025.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) was released on March 4, 2025.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (55) was released on March 4, 2025.
Seahawks defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris (98) was released on March 4, 2025.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) was released on March 5, 2025.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) was re-signed on March 6, 2025.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) was re-signed on Monday, March 10, 2025.
Seahawks re-signed linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
The Seahawks traded quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for the 92nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on March 13, 2025.
The Seahawks traded wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for the 52nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on March 13, 2025. As part of the trade, the Seahawks also sent the 185th overall pick to Pittsburgh and received the 223 overall pick in the draft.
The Seahawks signed quarterback Sam Darnold (14) to a multi-year deal on March 13, 2025.
The Seahawks signed guard/tackle Josh Jones on March 13, 2025.
The Seahawks signed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on March 13, 2025.
The Seahawks signed defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence to a multi-year deal on March 13, 2025.
The Seahawks re-signed wide receiver Cody White (82) on March 14, 2025.
The Seahawks signed wide receiver Cooper Kupp on March 18, 2025.
The Seahawks signed cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles on March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
The Seahawks signed wide receiver River Cracraft on March 21, 2025.
The Seahawks re-signed linebacker Josh Ross (18) on March 21, 2025.
The Seahawks signed safety D'Anthony Bell on March 24, 2025.
The Seahawks signed tight end Eric Saubert on March 24, 2025.
The Seahawks signed wide receiver Steven Sims on March 25, 2025.
The Seahawks signed exclusive rights free agent tight end Brady Russell (38) on April 9, 2025.
